Year 8 pathway
Year 8 English, stage by stage
Five stages covering every Year 8 English objective, taught with the question types used at GCSE: analysing language and structure, comparing viewpoints, poetry, writing at length and speaking to an audience.
Year 8
Your progress
0 of 20 lessons finished · 0 of 10 Year 8 objectives secure
Every lesson has prior knowledge, key words, two learning parts, common mix-ups, marked checks and an exit quiz. All extracts are written for these lessons.
Stage 1
Reading like an examiner: language and structure
Word choice, connotation and sentence structure — the two questions that carry the most marks in GCSE reading.
- What a single word choice doesRead critically, knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaningFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Sentence and text structure as a deliberate choiceStudy the effectiveness and impact of the grammatical features of the texts they readFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Structure: tracking what changes across a whole extractRead critically, knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaningFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Writing a full language answer in twenty minutesStudy the effectiveness and impact of the grammatical features of the texts they readFilm4 marked checks30 min
Quiz
Stage 1 quiz: Reading like an examiner: language and structure
8 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.
Stage 2
Two texts, two viewpoints
Comparing two writers' attitudes and methods, and controlling formality in your own writing.
- Comparing two writers' viewpointsCompare and contrast the treatment of themes and viewpoints across two or more textsFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Choosing your level of formality on purposeConsciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to useFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Comparing methods, not just opinionsCompare and contrast the treatment of themes and viewpoints across two or more textsFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Register in real tasks: email, letter, articleConsciously control levels of formality, including through the use of Standard English, and know when it is appropriate to useFilm4 marked checks30 min
Quiz
Stage 2 quiz: Two texts, two viewpoints
7 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.
Stage 3
Poetry: conventions and precise words
Form, rhythm, enjambment and the volta, plus building precise vocabulary from your reading.
- Poetic conventions and what they are forRecognise a range of poetic conventions and understand how these have been usedFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Stealing better words from what you readDraw on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and use these consciously in their writing and speechFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Unseen poetry: a method for a poem you have never readRecognise a range of poetic conventions and understand how these have been usedFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Making a new word yours: from noticing to usingDraw on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and use these consciously in their writing and speechFilm4 marked checks30 min
Quiz
Stage 3 quiz: Poetry: conventions and precise words
8 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.
Stage 4
Writing at length, then making it better
Planning and sustaining a full essay or story in exam time, then redrafting it in four passes.
- Writing at length without falling apartWrite accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information, including well-structured formal expository and narrative essaysFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Redrafting: the four passesAmend the vocabulary, grammar and structure of their writing to improve its coherence and overall effectivenessFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Narrative writing: openings, turning points and endingsWrite accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information, including well-structured formal expository and narrative essaysFilm4 marked checks30 min
- The five-minute accuracy sweepAmend the vocabulary, grammar and structure of their writing to improve its coherence and overall effectivenessFilm4 marked checks30 min
Quiz
Stage 4 quiz: Writing at length, then making it better
8 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.
Stage 5
Persuading a real audience
Writing for a named audience and purpose, then giving a three-minute spoken presentation.
- Writing for a named audience and purposeWrite for a wide range of purposes and audiences, selecting and organising ideas and information appropriatelyFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Giving a short speech that keeps to the pointGive short speeches and presentations, expressing their own ideas and keeping to the pointFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Writing an article for a named publicationWrite for a wide range of purposes and audiences, selecting and organising ideas and information appropriatelyFilm4 marked checks30 min
- Taking questions after your speechGive short speeches and presentations, expressing their own ideas and keeping to the pointFilm4 marked checks30 min
Quiz
Stage 5 quiz: Persuading a real audience
8 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.
Where this leads
Straight into GCSE English
These are the same skills the GCSE papers assess, so the marked reading and writing papers are the natural next step once the five stages are done.