GCSE English Language Specification Specification (version 1.4)

GCSE English Language for teaching from September 2010 onwards (version 1.4)3 Subject ContentThis section covers the subject content of the three units:Unit 1: Understanding and producing non-fiction textsUnit 2: Speaking and ListeningUnit 3: Understanding spoken and written texts and writing creativelyEach section provides a summary of what candidates have to do, the assessment process and answers toquestions.3aUnit 1: Understanding and producing non-fiction textsUnit 1: Summary of what candidates have to do3Requirements: Candidates are required to read andunderstand a range of non-fiction texts, identifying thewriters’ crafts and transferring these skills into theirown writing for a range of genres, audiences andpurposes.The functional elements of English reading andwriting are embedded within this unit allowingcandidates to demonstrate that they are competentreaders and writers in their daily lives.Reading texts will be drawn from a range of nonfictiongenres. Some texts will be clearly functional incontext (such as information leaflets) and others willbe those which candidates can clearly expect to readin their daily lives including media sources (includingtexts with images, and/or other presentationaldevices) and literary non-fiction (such as traveloguesand biographies). In preparing for this unit,candidates should draw on a variety of text types andtransfer their reading skills.There will be two writing tasks, one shorter and onelonger. The shorter task will ask candidates to writeto inform, explain or describe; the longer task willrequire more developed and sustained ideas whichargue or persuade. Candidates will be required toadapt their style to fit audience and purposeUnit 1: Summary of assessmentThis externally examined unit is common to GCSEEnglish.8