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Original poster

How do you help your child with English?

30 replies

BungledUpInTwo · 12/07/2017 21:35

I'm an English teacher. I'm wondering - how many of you read the set texts your child is studying for GCSE? If they're studying Frankenstein do you buy your own copy and read it?

If so why? And if not why not?

Thanks. Interested to hear experiences on this.

OP posts:
eyebrowsonfleek · 12/07/2017 22:41

No I haven't read An Inspector Calls, Frankenstein and the AQA Poetry anthology.

This is mainly because ds never discussed what he was learning at school, especially English, which is by far his least favourite subject.

I casually suggested watching Romeo and Juliet (movie) before GCSEs and was immediately shot down.

Ancienchateau · 12/07/2017 22:23

I read them if I haven't already done so, partly because I'm interested (degree in english literature) but also so l can help them/talk to them about it, if necessary. I have one doing GCSEs currently but happy to do it for all of them at any stage.

Original poster
BungledUpInTwo · 12/07/2017 22:17

Don't want to derail my own thread but:

In Literature terms, does she have a good grasp of the texts? Can she summarise the plot of the Shakespeare play? Has she read the novel? Like really read it? Could she answer comprehension questions on it?

Does her frustration come from trying to do the exam stuff without a really good grasp of the material? That's the first thing I'd check :)

OP posts:
TheDonald · 12/07/2017 22:08

I've got a yr 10 who struggles with English. She's used to maths and sciences coming easy and has got it into her head that she's rubbish at English. She isn't that rubbish but she's only on track for a 4 at the moment which doesn't leave any breathing space for a bad day.

I have a degree and ma in eng lit but I struggle to help her because she gets frustrated with me and we end up rowing. Also I find it really difficult to teach it because I just did it! I can teach the spag and the structure stuff but ideas and themes are much harder to teach.

I haven't read the texts although I've read them all except the poems in the past (20 yrs+)

I have watched a few Mr bruff videos on my own to try to understand the way the exams work. She refuses to watch them because she thinks his voice is irritating!

If you've got any tips on how to help a reluctant 15yo please let me know!

Heartofglass12345 · 12/07/2017 22:03

I'm not a parent to a teenager but my mum never wouldve done that, she had no idea what i was studying in any subject, and i liked it that way personally lol

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