English Proper: The importance of revising for English GCSEs with Jennifer Webb

When it comes to most exam subjects, most teens seem consider that revision is mostly about retaining facts and figures. For many , therefore, revising English Literature boils down to creating a bank of quotes. All too often, preparing for English Language is an afterthought. The go to position being: “I speak English; what’s to revise?” However, given that an English GCSE is often required for further education, there must be more to it than that. 

This week’s podcast looks at revising for English Language and English Literature GCSEs. It’s the first in our series where we’ve looked at a specific subject.

In this episode, Nathan McGurl, founder of The Study Buddy is talking with Jennifer Webb.

Throughout this episode, Jenny offers insights around the significance of English Language as a subject and a skill. She explores the opportunities to excel in English Literature. And shares clear, practical tips on how to help teens do well in their exams. As a result, you’ll come away with a range of ideas to help your teen.

https://audioboom.com/posts/7718075

Over the last couple of weeks most of our students have really started to focus on their studies at home, not least of all because we’re recording this episode during half term. Something that has struck me is how English – and English Language in particular – tends not to feature as especially important in their plans. Certainly not as much as, let’s call them ‘fact’ based subjects like maths, the sciences or history. But curiously they each know how important English is, and that they have to pass it for their next steps.

About Jenny Jenny Webb (@funkypedagogy) is Assistant Head at a large inner-city comprehensive school in Leeds, and has been a Head of English. She’s a blogger, speaker and author. Her books are “How to Teach English Literature: Overcoming Cultural Poverty” and recently “Teach like a Writer”.  Jenny also delivers professional development sessions to hundreds of teachers every month.