Help! Doing really badly in AQA English Language GCSE

I examine paper 2.

Make sure he knows his timings for each question and stick to them. So he might have to change questions before he's "finished" it but it's better to do that and attempt them all.

Get him to learn and use some sophisticated vocabulary - but make sure that it's correct in context. There's a growing trend for students to write a list of vocabulary to use at the start and then to bash it in regardless of the fact that it doesn't work. These lists are all practically identical and whilst the words might technically be "sophisticated", they don't gain more marks if the argument doesn't make sense.

But pp are spot on; you are paying a tutor so ask them!

IME (English teacher for a helluva long time) the biggest issue with P2Q5 is that students don't write enough. They can form an opinion and provide some reasonable persuasive points but think a side and a bit is plenty. It isn't - and most of the time each sentence they write should be the topic/initial sentence for an entire parag of their letter/article/whatever.

I teach my group:-

1. Take a point of view. It doesn't have to be yours; adopt a persona and take that POV.

1. Write a paragraph full of rhetorical questions. How would you feel if? Do you think it is right that....? And what about this aspect? Etc.

1. Write a parag in which you tell a heart-rending anecdote (totally made-up obv). Use loads of emotive language. Put yourself in Leo's shoes. He would have loved to.. but... etc.

1. Wrote a parag or two where you appeal to logic. This is the bit they would normally do anyway - a side or so of their own ideas.

1. Do a concluding sentence or two on which you make it clear you get which form you are supposed to be writing in - ie thank you for reading, yours sincerely if a letter: thanks for listening if a speech etc

He should read some opinion articles and watch debates like Question Time or even the ones they do on daytime TV. The topic will have to be something pretty mainstream (environment, fairness, animal rights etc) so if he has decent general knowledge of the world, and opinions of his own, this will help him.

He basically just needs to form a firm opinion and then argue it, giving a range of reasons as to why he has taken that view. Youtube videos about Ethos Logos and Pathos will help with this.

His writing needs to use creative devices such as rhetorical questions, similies and repetition. It also needs to be technically accurate, so at the very least, decent spelling, full stops and capital letters. Even better if he can spell some complex words and use a range of punctuation.

Impressive vocabulary is very important on this question. He shouldn't be 'angry' about XYZ; he needs to be 'incandescent with rage' for example.

Hi OP, I would expect if you are paying a tutor they would be able to set the questions you want?

If not, what are they doing? But there are lots of past papers to practise on the AQA website and also sample questions online (Teachit is a good resource, I find, and a good deal of stuff on there is free)

Ask the tutor to set homework questions to practice this area. Speak to the SENCO to see if he has the maximum time aloud and is sitting the exams is a quieter room with less distractions.