AS LANGUAGE REVISION with Norman Bernard

COURSE DURATION: 12 hours

Dates:

Day 1:  Sunday, August 6th: two 2-hour sessions, morning and afternoon.

Day 2:  Sunday, August 13th, two 2-hour sessions, morning and afternoon.

Day 3:  Sunday, August 20th, two-2hour sessions, morning and afternoon

Times:  

Sessions run from 10:00 am-12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm respectively,

Price:  R2,400

OVERVIEW

AS English Language students write two exams, Paper 1 being the Reading Paper and Paper 2 the Writing/Composition paper. Long experience has shown that the Reading Paper poses considerably greater challenges for all but the strongest students because mastering the skill of textual analysis causes more difficulty than anything else. Furthermore the new syllabus effective from 2021 introduced into the AS syllabus the complex task of comparative commentaries which had previously been found only at A levels. Paper 2, the Writing/Composition Paper, which had previously never had any textual analysis component now does so in the form of a reflective commentary.

Given the above details, it seems essential that any short revision course’s contents be weighted so as to give more attention to Paper 1, the Reading Paper.

More detailed information about what will be done appears below.

PAPER 1 READING

1. Examination of a textual analysis question from a past paper along with sample student answers in order to give students an idea of what examiners are looking for. This will also provide an opportunity to give a brief overview of assessment criteria for Paper 1. This work constitutes preparation for Paper 1 Question 2.
2. Use of Questions 1a and 1b of a sample Reading Paper put together to illustrate the new post-2020 format to introduce the demanding directed writing/comparative commentary combination.
3. Past exam paper used to provide further textual analysis practice for Paper 1 Question 2.

PAPER 2 WRITING/COMPOSITION

1. Re-use of the text used to illustrate the directed/writing comparative commentary duo to introduce the directed writing/reflective commentary combination which constitutes Question 1a and 1b of Paper 2.
2. Look at sample novel openings to introduce narrative writing option of Paper 2 Question 2.
3. Look at sample student answers for the narrative option.
4. Look at some samples of descriptive writing.
5. Examination of the format, aims and possible contents of reviews to provide assistance with the review/critical option of Paper 2 Question 2. As reviews can be the subject of both textual analysis and directed writing tasks, the work done here will also be of relevance to Paper 2 Question 1 and Paper 1.

Phoenix’s testimony of his experience of studying AS Language with Norman Bernard.

Being on an accelerated course, the task of not only completing my English qualification but doing well in it too was daunting to say the least. However, Norman made the process both remarkably effective and efficient. He has the ability to explain difficult concepts in the subject in an easily digestible way while still managing to communicate the precise details that can make English so challenging. Despite his excellent teaching ability, I value Norman most for his personality. His injection of humour made classes enjoyable, his thoughtful discussions on topics often helped my comprehension of the task at hand, and ,perhaps most importantly for myself, provided genuine support and advice when I needed it. He is the perfect mixture of professional and human and I couldn’t be more delighted to have been taught by him.