Looking for a high-level example of a persuasive speech to show to your level 7+ GCSE group? Or looking to inspire Year 9 as they lead up to the English GCSE? This speech contains a number of devices for you to explore with your class in order to consider what a strong piece of writing might look like on English Language paper 2. At the end, you will find a section for pupils to complete against the AQA mark scheme (not provided) for writing on language paper 2 in order to justify the marks given for the piece of writing. Don’t waste your precious time writing your own high-level piece. Use this. There are four more high-level answers here for you: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/advise-argue-persuade-explain-gcse-high-level-model-writing-answers-english-language-paper-2-11914737 Best wishes, Englbee

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which offers an introduction to the study of dramatic comedy as a genre (most likely useful with the study of Shakespeare). The lesson offers visual and practical tasks for pupils to work through in order to explore and begin to understand the concept of comedy as a genre. The activities should take one lesson, but may take two. There is also an opportunity for pupils to apply their learning to an extract from Shakespeare’s ‘Much ado About Nothing’ at the end. This PowerPoint will be most useful with higher-level GCSE students aiming for grades 7,8 and 9 in their study of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, enabling them to explore method and genre as they read, which will help in their reaching higher levels in the examination. Could be adapted for aspiring grade 6 students. The PowerPoint might also be used as a starting point for A Level English Literature students although further reading and research will be necessary. It will certainly aid less able A Level students who benefit from visual and practical tasks, and discussion (I have used a version of this PowerPoint as a starting point with an AS group for coursework under an old spec). Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which explores ‘The Farmer’s Bride’ in preparation for the AQA Literature Examination The PowerPoint and accompanying teacher notes are aimed at high-level GCSE candidates aiming for grades 7, 8 & 9 The resource contains the following: AQA Assessment objectives for the poetry anthology examination paper Warm-up activity A brief biography of Charlotte Mew A link to an audio of a reading of the poem A list of high-level terminology for this particular poem as required for higher grades A pyramid of questions which moves from knowledge to evaluation as a way of stretching students’ thinking A copy of the poem A student sheet which can be printed off or projected onto the board to record ideas whilst working through questions A short plenary Followed by: Teacher notes - two slides containing ideas for understanding the poem and its methods at a high level which you should likely read before the lesson as preparation for discussion and teaching. How much you ‘teacher-lead’ using these notes, or how much you use them to aid independent learning is up to you. Notes are not definitive, but offer good-grounding in understanding Mew’s use of method in the poem, with detail on structure and form as well as language in order to reach higher grades (e.g. Subversion of the pastoral, significance of the ending, use of irregular couplets, natural imagery etc…) NEW: THREE PAGE LESSON PLAN ON HOW TO USE EACH SLIDE INCLUDING KEY QUESTIONS, LEARNING AND OUTCOMES The lesson presumes that some previous learning has taken place on what language, form and structure mean, and that students have a good level of understanding of what questions they should ask of poems in order to explore them (e.g. when was it written? how might that influence language choices? is there a specific form? what relevance is the form? how is the poem’s narrative structured? Is there a clear structure? etc.) Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint which offers an introduction to the study of dramatic tragedy as a genre. As well as some didactic commentary, the lesson offers visual and practical tasks for pupils to work through in order to explore and begin to understand the concept of tragedy as a genre. The activities should take one lesson, but may take two. There is also an opportunity for pupils to apply their learning to an extract from Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ at the end. This PowerPoint will be most useful with higher-level GCSE students aiming for grades 7, 8 and 9 in their study of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ or 'Julius Caesar’ (‘Romeo and Juliet’ differs somewhat from traditional dramatic tragedy conventions, but some aspects may be useful), enabling them to explore method and genre as they read, which will help in their reaching higher levels in the examination. Could be adapted for aspiring grade 6 students. The PowerPoint might also be used as a starting point for AQA A Level English Literature students studying ‘King Lear’, ‘Othello’, or ‘Richard II’, or any of the other dramatic tragedies, although further reading and research will be necessary. It will certainly aid less-able A Level students who need a starting point and benefit from visual and practical tasks, and discussion. Link to a similar PowerPoint on Dramatic Comedy here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/dramatic-comedy-genre-an-introduction-11922680

It’s hard work finding quality GCSE model writing answers for AQA English Language Paper 2, and even harder work writing them yourself, especially at a high level. Here, you will find a high-level model answer: a leaflet to advise with a clear point-of-view. The topic is homework. Pupils are asked to reflect on the significance of style and genre at the end as a self-reflection exercise. Please note the preview shows only a section of the sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

It’s hard work finding quality GCSE model writing answers for AQA English Language Paper 2, and even harder work writing them yourself, especially at a high level. Here, you will find a high-level model answer: an essay to explain. The topic is homework. Pupils are asked to reflect on the significance of style and genre at the end as a self-reflection exercise. Please note the preview shows only a section of the sheet. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint for the opening of An Inspector Calls before the Inspector arrives aimed at higher-level groups. Prior reading up until the stage-direction ‘We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell’ will need to have occurred before the PowerPoint is used. The PowerPoint contains: LOs followed by a slide outlining the four key themes in this section: Privilege, Class Struggle, Snobbery and Self-Serving Idealism. Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony are also introduced and will need to be explored by the teacher. A table in which students are asked to consider key character language and place the language under either Privilege, Class Struggle, Snobbery or Self-Serving Idealism. This can be done either as a cut-and-paste activity or on the computer as a drag and drop. The slide could be printing out and students could write answers in also if the two above options are not available A completed slide of the above task for the teacher to talk through/take feedback etc. Further discussion of Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony A table in which students explore key language from the opening act and decide whether it is an example of foreshadowing or dramatic irony. They then need to give an insightful comment as to what the device is demonstrating/why it is an example of such a device. There are two differentiated slides here. The harder one asks the students to identify who said the line before analysing it, and there are no hint questions. The other identifies the speaker and asks ‘Withholding of further information or contextual events the audience would have knowledge about?’ as a guide for students to explore which of the two devices the language is an example of The next slide gives example ‘insightful comments’ which students can check against their own or add to during a class discussion / feedback. The final slide is a reminder of their LOs and some questions to explore the skills they used in the lesson to analyse the play today. Best wishes, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s ‘Love’s Philosophy’ for students aiming for grades 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to Sonnet 29 and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Kind regards, Englbee x

This is high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Carol Ann Duffy’s ‘Before You Were Mine’ for students aiming for grades 6- 9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a easy format rather than being too colour-heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Eden Rock’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Please note the preview shows only a small section of the revision sheet. Kind regards, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on Birling’s involvement with Eva Smith in Act One of An Inspector Calls. The resource is suitable for a mid-high level group studying the text for GCSE Literature. The resource contains: LOs and learning skills outline Reading and note-making on Birling’s involvement with Eva An exploration of the skill of distilling evidence from a text which will be practised today A table to complete on language used to demonstrate Birling’s views on Eva as a contrast to that of Eric, Sheila and the Inspector A slide with a completed table for pupils to fill in any gaps or offer other suggestions of evidence they might have An exploration of what Eric and Sheila’s views are and who they most closely align with An exploration of the significance of Eric and Sheila siding with the Inspector’s views rather than their father’s A plenary in which students can reflect on wider themes and issues explored in Birling’s involvement with Eva, and the two side of the argument (capitalist vs socialist) A reflection on the skill of distilling information today and what students did to achieve this. Under most slides also are detailed indicative comments or answers for the teacher which can be shared as appropriate with students or simply used to aid the teacher during discussion. These could be collated and printed off separately if the teacher needs extra support and notes during the lesson. Kind regards, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on Sheila’s involvement with Eva Smith in Act One of An Inspector Calls. The resource is suitable for a mid-high level group studying the text for GCSE Literature. The resource contains: LOs/Skills slide A quick exploration of the Inspector’s sardonic language and why Priestley uses this method to characterise him (might be done prior to lesson as a homework; could be done as a separate lesson prior to the ‘Sheila’ lesson; answer slide could be given as handout if pushed for time) A slide to briefly note down Sheila’s involvement with Eva Smith A slide to explore Sheila’s characterisation and role in the play at this point An exemplar answer slide to previous An exploration of the play’s structure and its symbolic significance (parts making the whole) A plenary in which students reflect on Sheila’s role and the skills of noticing, analysing and making links made today to further understand Priestley’s methods. As well as answer slides, other slides have teacher notes underneath with sample ideas and answers. Best wishes, Englbee x

A character revision poster of Lady Macduff with key quotations on the following themes: Masculinity/Femininity; Appearance and Reality; Children; Guilt; Kingship; Fate, Free Will and Ambition. Quotations are not definitive, but offer a simple way for students to link quotations and theme for revision purposes. Act, scene and line are also given. Would be useful printed onto A3 for classroom revision or A4 for home revision. Bundle of all eight Macbeth character posters found https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/macbeth-revision-posters-12070022 Original illustrations by mancsunshine (copyright) Best wishes, Englbee x

10 AQA Writing to Describe GCSE English Language Question 5 Writing Tasks with both a descriptive and a narrative question for all pictures. Variety of pictures included. Could also be used with KS3 or any creative writing class despite being specifically designed for the new AQA English Language GCSE. Best wishes, Englbee x

This resource offers two comprehensive PowerPoints for English Language GCSE AQA: one for you to teach to your class, and the second with exemplar responses for you to share with your class as you see fit. The resource is most suitable for introducing a strong summer Year 9 class to GCSE skills needed next year, or as an introduction to a high-ability autumn Year 10 class just starting GCSE. The resource allows students to consider the GCSE as a whole, and the AOs as overlapping, before dividing them between the two papers later on in their GCSE studies How the PowerPoint works: The Learning Objectives and AOs are colour-coded to link with AQA’s symmetry grid (hyperlink provided in PowerPoint) Resources out of copyright are provided within the PowerPoint Resources in copyright are hyperlinked for you. You can copy and paste into the PowerPoint onto new slides should you wish, or you can continue to use the hyperlinks (I have had to hyperlink to avoid copyright breach) Questions are curriculum-aligned The PowerPoint works through AO1, AO2, AO4, AO3, AO5/6 The second PowerPoint contains high-level exemplar answers for AO1-4 questions, and detailed exemplar paragraphs for writing tasks covering AO5/6. If exemplars are too difficult for your class, you can adapt downwards as needed, but showing good quality ‘top’ answers may benefit most pupils aiming for 5+. I have used this myself with high-ability classes who have found it useful as an introduction to their GCSE English Language. The texts are: the opening two/three pages of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; two linked 19th century letters on hanging; and a Guardian article on capital punishment. Links to 20th/21st Century articles necessary due to copyright. Please note the links to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are sometimes temperamental. There is a copy here: https://archive.org/stream/JamesBondBooks/OHMS_0020#page/n7/mode/2up and here (also on PowerPoint): https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MkH504QgSKsC&pg=PA1&source=kp_read_button&redir_ese=y However, as with all things internet, sources disappear from time-to-time. Purchasing a cheap paperback copy of OHMSS might be an idea… Best wishes, Englbee

A high-level revision sheet (PDF) of Andrew Waterhouse’s ‘Climbing my Grandfather’ for students aiming for levels, 6-9 in the new GCSE Literature Paper 2 The revision sheet is laid out in sections with minimal graphics to allow effective revision of ideas and method. Ideas are written in a brief format rather than being too text/colour heavy to aid key learning and memory The method focus is rooted in structure and form as well as language choices in order to hit higher band criteria. Only a few choices for each as AQA stresses depth as opposed to breadth to achieve top grades. There are suggested links to ‘Before You Were Mine’ and evaluative questions to consider in a potential essay conclusion. The sheet is not definitive, and students should have a much deep knowledge of the poem from class studies; however, it will help as an aid for themes and methods regarding the second, unprinted poem in the examination in which they will need to draw on their memory. Best wishes, Englbee x

A fully-adaptable PowerPoint on the past continuous tense. Suitable for high-ability KS3, mid-to high ability KS4, and intermediate ESOL. Suitable for home-learning. The PowerPoint introduces the student to five different ways of using the present continuous tense: basic sentence; interruption of a continuing action in the past by another action; an action which continued to happen at a precise point in the past; questions using past continuous; events repeated habitually in the past. Includes: *a brief recap of pronoun/verb (‘to be’) agreement and the forming of gerunds *an explanation of each use of the past continuous, with an example *challenge exercise one which all students should complete to show they understand how to form the past continuous *challenge exercises two-five which students can work through, or choose from to show different uses of the present continuous tense *sample answers after each exercise Teachers can choose to teach all or some of the functions of the past continuous tense , dipping in or out, or selecting as necessary. Could be used as a series of starter activities or as a longer grammar lesson. Could also be set remotely for home-learning as an independent study exercise The PowerPoint is not definitive, but offers a clear approach to understanding the different uses of the past continuous. Best wishes, Englbee x