There is no coursework component needed to complete IGCSE or GCSE English Literature for AQA GCSE English Literature (8702), Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475) or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Literature (9-1) (4ET1). That is, students can attain the qualification by examination only. There are quite a few similarities between the courses, so read through the syllabus and the specification and choose carefully.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
You don't need all the suggested resources, but literature courses will focus on specific texts. Please read through the syllabus or specification carefully to confirm the texts you need to study for the exams you will be taking. The examination boards can change their texts from year to year, so make sure you know what you are meant to cover in the course.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE English Literature for many years, so I am very familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE English Literature offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel examination boards.
Each exam board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each exam board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
You don't need all the suggested resources, but literature courses will focus on specific texts. Please read through the syllabus or specification carefully to confirm the texts you need to study for the exams you will be taking. The examination boards can change their texts from year to year, so make sure you know what you are meant to cover in the course.
I have tutored students in Cambridge IGCSE English Literature for many years, so I am very familiar with the syllabus content, varied teaching and learning strategies for individual students, and preparation for assessments (examinations). CAIE examinations were easier for my four home educated children to access, and I have been teaching or tutoring CAIE examination subjects in school or online since 2007.
I will pass on what I have used, at one time or another, to teach Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475). I will also give suggested resources for anyone interested in accessing GCSE English Literature offered by AQA and Pearson Edexcel examination boards.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, and Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702
Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/english-literature-0475/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Literature (9-1) (4ET1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-english-literature-2016.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702
Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/english-literature-0475/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Literature (9-1) (4ET1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-english-literature-2016.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to examination board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
There are some prescribed texts for this course, but there are different versions available. Please read the specification carefully and look at this document from AQA on texts:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/gcse/english-literature-8702/teach/set-text-editions
https://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/gcse/english-literature-8702/teach/set-text-editions
- Darragh, S. et al. (2015) AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature: Core Student Book. ISBN: 9780007596799 [Endorsed]
- Darragh, S. et al. (2015) AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature: Advanced Student Book. ISBN: 9780007596805 [Endorsed]
- Thomas, P. (Ed.) (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: An Inspector Calls: Student Book. ISBN: 9781107454552 [Endorsed]
- Thomas, P. (Ed.) (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: Frankenstein: Student Book. ISBN: 9781316501030 [Endorsed]
- Thomas, P. (Ed) (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: Great Expectations: Student Book. ISBN: 9781107454125 [Endorsed]
- Partington, A. et al. (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: Macbeth: Student Book. ISBN: 9781107453951 [Endorsed]
- Thomas, P. (Ed.) (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: Romeo and Juliet: Student Book. ISBN: 9781107453821 [Endorsed]
- Thomas, P. (Ed) (2015) GCSE English Literature for AQA: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Student Book. ISBN: 9781107454224 [Endorsed]
- Pilgrim, I & Thomas, P. (2105) GCSE English Literature for AQA: A Christmas Carol: Student Book. ISBN: 9781316504604 [Endorsed]
Cambridge IGCSE English Literature (0475)
There are prescribed texts for this course, so please check the syllabus for the year you intend to take the examinations. Please read the syllabus carefully, for the 2022, and the 2023-2025 examination years, at: www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/english-literature-0475/
- Thomas, P. (2018) Approaches to learning and teaching Literature in English: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781316645895 [Endorsed]
- Carey. R. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Literature in English: Coursebook, 2nd. Edition. ISBN: 9781108439916 [Endorsed]
- Carey, R. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Literature in English: Workbook, 2nd. Edition. ISBN: 9781108439954 [Endorsed]
- Gould, M. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English: Student's Book. ISBN: 9780008262037 [Endorsed]
- Gould, M. et al. (2018) Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English: Teacher's Guide. ISBN: 9780008262044 [Endorsed]
- Wilmer, M. (2018) Songs of Ourselves: Volume 1. ISBN: 9781108462266 [Endorsed]
- Wilmer, M. (2018) Songs of Ourselves: Volume 2. ISBN: 9781108462280 [Endorsed]
- Wilmer, M. (2018) Stories of Ourselves: Volume 1. ISBN: 9781108462297 [Endorsed]
- Wilmer, M. (2018) Stories of Ourselves: Volume 2. ISBN: 9781108436199 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Literature (9-1) (4ET1)
There are some prescribed texts for this course, so please read the specification carefully and look at this document from Pearson Edexcel on texts:
qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/International%20GCSE/English%20Literature/2016/Teaching%20and%20learning%20materials/international-gcse-english-literature-getting-started-guide.pdf
qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/International%20GCSE/English%20Literature/2016/Teaching%20and%20learning%20materials/international-gcse-english-literature-getting-started-guide.pdf
- Bevan, G. et al. (2016) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) English Literature: Student Book and ActiveBook. ISBN: 9780435182588 [Endorsed]
- Becan, G. et al. (2016) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) English Literature: Online Teacher Resource Pack. ISBN: 9780435189150 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE English Literature
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSEs or GCSEs. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
There are many useful resources here, so take your time to look through them:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms
Poetry Foundation is one of the websites you will go back to again and again. Many of the poems you will read are on this site, but look around at all the other content here. A useful reference tool for student and teacher.
https://poemanalysis.com
This site is amazing for IGCSE Cambridge poetry selections, because the lovely people on the site have created detailed content for almost all of the poems. Bookmark and go back to this site for glossary of terms and more!
http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm
Created by Robert Harris, PhD, this site gives definitions and explanations for literary terms. A useful reference tool for student and teacher.
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/default.htm
This site is aimed at students/teachers following examination boards other than CAIE, so is not as specific as other sites. It is still a helpful resource, especially under the GCSE English Literature section.
http://www.poetryarchive.org/study
A really interesting website to visit, though not specific to all the poems in the CAIE syllabus. There is a glossary of words, poems read by some of the poets, and lots more to look at.
http://www.geoffbarton.co.uk/index.php
Resources for students and teachers on GCSE English. This is not a site specific to CAIE examinations, but teachers can tailor it to suit the needs of the students. Worth looking through before sending students to the site, as there is so much here.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/index.html
This site has plenty of resources, and study guides, for a number of the selected texts. A good resource to go to.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/4/17/
This particular section on the OWL writing site is a reference/resource for writing about literature or poetry. There is quite a bit of information, so students should be guided specifically on this website. Alternatively, teachers can use this to help lesson plan or problem solve with general literature analysis and essay writing techniques.
http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/
This GCSE and A Level site is worth looking at by students, and is full of information that can be used for specific purposes such as tips on how to write effectively to revision for the exams.
http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm
This is similar to the reference resource above, with hundreds of literary terms defined, with examples.
http://www.explorewriting.co.uk/
This site has been written by professional writers, and can be a very useful site for the ablest students, or to supplement teachers’ notes.
http://www.writtensound.com/index.php
This onomatopoeia online dictionary site is fun to have a look at, and may be a good reference tool for students and teachers. Who knew that potato-potato-potato was the sound of a poorly running motorcycle engine?
http://litnotes.co.uk/
This is aimed at other examination boards, but there are some useful resources here for teachers. I liked the notes on attitudes and values, on reading advertisements, and features of conversation - all gave me ideas on how to incorporate topics to consider with my literature students.
http://www.shmoop.com/literature/
One of the great literature sites. It has summaries of all kinds of literature, themes, character analysis, essay help and more. This study guide site is written in a way to appeal to the students that may want a touch of humour thrown into literary analysis. Many of my students have used this site in conjunction with the other two great sites, Cliffs Notes and Spark Notes
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature
Another of the great literature sites, with basically the same information found on Shmoop or Spark Notes. Not all the literature texts are found on all the sites, so it is worth doing some research. As you never want to plagiarise, it is useful to research material from all three study guide sites and look for patterns in what other people are saying about the texts. Do you agree with them? If so, write the ideas in your own words. If not, write your own interpretation of the literature and justify its validity.
http://www.sparknotes.com/sparknotes/
The third great literature site, though not in third place. All three study guide sites are valuable learning tools alongside the literature texts. It is like having extra teachers or tutors to help you or give you a different perspective.
http://www.litcharts.com/
A great website and all the study guides are free downloads. I really appreciate others who are making it easy for students around the world to access quality literature guides.
https://www.shakespearestudyguide.com
All you ever wanted to know about Shakespeare's plays, poems, and his writing craft, all in one place.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
Poetry Foundation is one of the websites you will go back to again and again. Many of the poems you will read are on this site, but look around at all the other content here. A useful reference tool for student and teacher.
https://poemanalysis.com
This site is amazing for IGCSE Cambridge poetry selections, because the lovely people on the site have created detailed content for almost all of the poems. Bookmark and go back to this site for glossary of terms and more!
http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm
Created by Robert Harris, PhD, this site gives definitions and explanations for literary terms. A useful reference tool for student and teacher.
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/default.htm
This site is aimed at students/teachers following examination boards other than CAIE, so is not as specific as other sites. It is still a helpful resource, especially under the GCSE English Literature section.
http://www.poetryarchive.org/study
A really interesting website to visit, though not specific to all the poems in the CAIE syllabus. There is a glossary of words, poems read by some of the poets, and lots more to look at.
http://www.geoffbarton.co.uk/index.php
Resources for students and teachers on GCSE English. This is not a site specific to CAIE examinations, but teachers can tailor it to suit the needs of the students. Worth looking through before sending students to the site, as there is so much here.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/index.html
This site has plenty of resources, and study guides, for a number of the selected texts. A good resource to go to.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/4/17/
This particular section on the OWL writing site is a reference/resource for writing about literature or poetry. There is quite a bit of information, so students should be guided specifically on this website. Alternatively, teachers can use this to help lesson plan or problem solve with general literature analysis and essay writing techniques.
http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/
This GCSE and A Level site is worth looking at by students, and is full of information that can be used for specific purposes such as tips on how to write effectively to revision for the exams.
http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm
This is similar to the reference resource above, with hundreds of literary terms defined, with examples.
http://www.explorewriting.co.uk/
This site has been written by professional writers, and can be a very useful site for the ablest students, or to supplement teachers’ notes.
http://www.writtensound.com/index.php
This onomatopoeia online dictionary site is fun to have a look at, and may be a good reference tool for students and teachers. Who knew that potato-potato-potato was the sound of a poorly running motorcycle engine?
http://litnotes.co.uk/
This is aimed at other examination boards, but there are some useful resources here for teachers. I liked the notes on attitudes and values, on reading advertisements, and features of conversation - all gave me ideas on how to incorporate topics to consider with my literature students.
http://www.shmoop.com/literature/
One of the great literature sites. It has summaries of all kinds of literature, themes, character analysis, essay help and more. This study guide site is written in a way to appeal to the students that may want a touch of humour thrown into literary analysis. Many of my students have used this site in conjunction with the other two great sites, Cliffs Notes and Spark Notes
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature
Another of the great literature sites, with basically the same information found on Shmoop or Spark Notes. Not all the literature texts are found on all the sites, so it is worth doing some research. As you never want to plagiarise, it is useful to research material from all three study guide sites and look for patterns in what other people are saying about the texts. Do you agree with them? If so, write the ideas in your own words. If not, write your own interpretation of the literature and justify its validity.
http://www.sparknotes.com/sparknotes/
The third great literature site, though not in third place. All three study guide sites are valuable learning tools alongside the literature texts. It is like having extra teachers or tutors to help you or give you a different perspective.
http://www.litcharts.com/
A great website and all the study guides are free downloads. I really appreciate others who are making it easy for students around the world to access quality literature guides.
https://www.shakespearestudyguide.com
All you ever wanted to know about Shakespeare's plays, poems, and his writing craft, all in one place.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.