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Your course fee includes
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Attractive, full colour course book.
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Fully annotated anthology (for the
Edexcel specification).
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10 tutor-marked assignments
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email support by fully-qualified
tutor
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phone support by fully-qualified tutor
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information on choosing an exam centre
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free set of CDs containing the full
course as an audio file
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 This course doesn’t presuppose any
prior knowledge and unlike some correspondence courses, which can
be dry in tone, it reflects the joy in learning which I feel
should be part and parcel of any English course. There is practical
guidance with exam technique, practice with past papers, 10 tutor
marked assignments and unlimited (within reason!) phone and email
support.
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You can choose either the Edexcel or
the CIE (Cambridge International) specification. These are
very similar in most respects and result in the same
qualification, but you might want to consider the following
before making your choice.
· There is no poetry on the CIE course. This can make
it attractive for students who don’t like poetry. However if
students want to study English Literature at some point, the
Edexcel specification is preferable, because it provides a
foundation in poetry.
· The Edexcel specification includes a short anthology
of prose and poetry, which has to be studied for the exam.
There is no need to study an anthology for the CIE exam.
However when an anthology piece appears on the Edexcel exam,
it is published in full in the exam paper (so there is no
need to memorise it, just to be familiar with it). The CIE
paper also features similar prose passages, but these are
‘unseen’ (so you will be reading them for the first time in
the exam).
· There are two tiers of entry for the CIE exam: core
and extended tier. The CIE materials I have prepared are
suitable for both tiers. The core tier is intended for
students who find English a challenge. However PLEASE phone
me for guidance about this before making a decision about
which tier is suitable for your child.
· Exam centres don’t always cater for both CIE and
Edexcel exams. It’s often one or the other. So it can be
sensible to find a good exam centre before choosing your
course.
· If you need any guidance about choosing a course,
please phone or email me.
 The course is produced on
paper and audio CD format, recognising that some children learn best
by listening rather than reading. Throughout the course there are
exercises to help you consolidate what you have learned. |
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Included in the price of your
course is a unique set of audio CDs containing all the
course material. Ideal for listening to on car
journeys, or for students who learn more easily by
listening. |
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Here some of
the questions I am frequently asked about this course,
Do parents make their own arrangements for
children to sit the exam?
In the future I hope to be able to offer a more
comprehensive exam service and there are exciting plans in the
pipeline (watch this space!). For the time being, however, parents
take responsibility for entering their child for an exam (although I
can provide a list of centres and I will be on hand to give help and
advice).
Does the course have a set duration of two years
or can children and parents work through it at their own pace?
The course does
not have a set duration. It has been designed so that you can work
through it at your own pace and it doesn't have to take two years.
Indeed, most students of average age and ability do it in a year (or
even less), depending on where they are up to with their English
thus far. I will go at whatever pace you choose (although if I feel
that you are perhaps trying to go a wee bit too quickly, I'd let you
know). You also need to bear in mind registration dates for exams
(for example you may need to register your child in January if they
are intending to sit an exam in June).
What age range is the course
suitable for?
One of the key aspects of this
course is that it is suitable for younger children (12+) and has
been written so it will appeal to a wide age range. It will vary
very much from individual to individual, but there is no reason why
a younger child couldn’t take this course and sit the exam. I will
be able to advise you about this.
A group of us would like to take the course.
Would there be any benefit in this and would there be a reduction in
cost?
Although the course is designed for individual
study, it’s great working in a supportive group so yes, there would
be a benefit. Much of the cost of the course is for the 10 tutor
marked assignments for which your child will receive very detailed
feedback, but that said, I would be able to offer a reduced rate
especially if materials are shared.
In addition to the course materials, is there
anything else I need to buy?
The course materials provide you with
everything you need, but I would advise you to buy a good
dictionary, unless you already have one.
Two or
more of my children wish to study the course - will I get a
discount?
Yes. Your children can
share the folder, and I will mark the second child's assignments at
very generous discount |
