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Blogs | Capital Tuition Group

Helping Your Child Succeed in GCSE English Language: Common Pitfalls To Avoid

The GCSE English Language exam is an important step in your child’s education, opening doors to future opportunities. While it can feel challenging, with the right guidance, your child can approach it confidently! Here are some common mistakes students make and how you can help them avoid these pitfalls.

1. Not understanding the Assessment Objectives

The GCSE English Language exam is based on specific assessment objectives (AOs) that measure skills like analysis, evaluation, and writing. Many students lose marks by not addressing these objectives properly.

How You Can Help:

  • Get familiar with the AOs listed in the exam specification.
  • Encourage your child to practise linking their answers to these objectives.
  • Use past papers and mark schemes to see how marks are awarded.

2. Focusing Too Much on Memorisation

Unlike literature exams, English Language tests focus on skills, not memorising content. Some students spend too much time trying to memorise essays or facts that won’t be useful in the exam.

How You Can Help:

  • Encourage your child to focus on practising skills like analysing language, reading closely, and building arguments.
  • Remind them that flexibility is key when responding to unseen texts.

3. Struggling with Time Management

Time management can be tricky during exams. Some students spend too long on one question and rush through the rest, missing out on valuable marks.

How You Can Help:

  • Teach your child to divide their time based on the marks for each question.
  • Encourage timed practice sessions to build their confidence and pacing skills.

4. Misunderstanding the Question

Sometimes students misread or misunderstand what the question is asking, leading to incomplete or irrelevant answers.

How You Can Help:

  • Teach your child to highlight key words in the question.
  • Practise breaking questions into smaller parts to ensure every aspect is addressed.

5. Skipping Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar (SPaG)

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar might seem minor, but they can make a big difference to the final grade. Many students lose easy marks by not proofreading their work.

How You Can Help:

  • Remind your child to leave a few minutes at the end of the exam to check their work.
  • Use apps or guides to help them improve their SPaG skills.

6. Avoiding Practice with Unseen Texts

The unseen text component is a key part of the exam, yet some students avoid practising with unfamiliar materials.

How You Can Help:

  • Provide your child with a variety of texts to read, including fiction and non-fiction.
  • Discuss their thoughts and encourage them to back up their ideas with evidence.

7. Skipping the Planning Stage for Writing Tasks

Panicking and jumping straight into writing can lead to disorganised and underdeveloped answers.

How You Can Help:

  • Encourage your child to spend a few minutes planning their responses before writing, and make sure that they consider what the question is actually asking of them.
  • Practise creating quick outlines for different types of writing tasks.

8. Relying Only on School Support

While schools provide a solid foundation, extra help can make a big difference, especially if your child has specific areas they find challenging.

How You Can Help:

  • Supplement school learning with online tutorials, study guides, or workshops.
  • Consider private tuition or group sessions tailored to your child’s needs.

Final Thoughts

By avoiding these common pitfalls and focusing on effective preparation, your child can approach their GCSE English Language exam with confidence and clarity.
To give your child extra support, why not enrol them into private group or one-to-one tuition with us at Capital Tuition Group? We’re also thrilled to offer a Free GCSE English Language Masterclass online on the 25th and 26th of January 2025. These sessions are taught by fully-qualified teachers using interactive teaching software. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book early and give your child the tools they need to succeed!
Together, let’s help your child achieve their best in GCSE English Language.
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