English Literature AS / A2

Our approach is very much to respond to the individual needs of the students. We believe that students should leave the course better equipped in terms of knowledge, understanding and confidence

for the forthcoming exams - and that they should have enjoyed the experience!

A fresh look at well-rehearsed texts can often make a considerable difference, especially if it is coupled to a review of the key skills examiners demand. It is just as important to feel confident in essay writing, critical appreciation and understanding exam questions, as it is to know what happened when in each of your texts. One needs to be proficient in order to win a good grade.

Our experienced tutors will spend their time relaying key information and advice to small groups but will also give guidance on an individual basis to help each student realise their true potential. The small groups will be interactive classes in which students are encouraged to debate and discuss the issues and to share ideas and approaches.

Key features

A prime feature of the English course is the flexibility it allows students to tackle the texts and problems that most concern them. We ask students to tell us what they would prefer to study and then structure the timetable according to popular demand. This means that the course is tailored to fit the particular needs of the students.

We cannot, of course, promise that we will revise every text studied by every student. That would be impossible given the number of boards, specifications and the attendant options. We do, however, guarantee that we will cover at least two texts studied by every student who enrols on the course - and will cover more if time and circumstance allow.

Revising texts is a critical factor when preparing for exams but there are important general skills which we will also help you with during the course. These include:

• Making sense of essay questions.

• Planning and constructing essay answers in the exam room.

• Understanding the assessment objectives - and meeting them.

• Integrating textual illustration into analytical answers.

• How best to tackle unseen critical appreciations.

• Not losing your nerve in the exam room.