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Original poster

Can someone help me with English Lang please?

89 replies

Poppy802 · 09/05/2023 09:01

I'm trying hard to help my son. I've looked at his Mock Language paper. I'm looking at an 8 point question and he's got 1 mark out of 8.
The feedback is this:

Focus on behaviour
Write Less just PEA and compare

I said to my son do you understand her feedback and he said no he doesn't get it.
He doesn't feel he can talk to his teacher either.
How can I help my son with not long to go?
I've looked up PEA and can only see something about PEE? Is that the same?

I'd really appreciate some advice please 🙏

OP posts:
NotDonna · 09/05/2023 10:43

Mine were told to underline/highlight the key words in a question - this helps them actually read the question and process what the question is looking for.

Original poster
Poppy802 · 09/05/2023 10:33

TeenDivided · 09/05/2023 09:59

Each board will have its own structure for the 2 papers.

But for each paper he needs to know what each question is asking for.
Some ask to summarise what we have learned about xyz from the text.
Some ask about use of language and effect on the reader etc. He needs to know 'Question 4, 12 marks need to do xxxxx'.
He needs to know how much to write and what gains marks.
He will have been taught this. You need to help him find it in his notes.

You get nothing for waffling and not answering the asked question.

No he's not paying attention at all you're right.
He hasn't been well and is on medication and having therapy for OCD through camhs, he has been constantly distracted by thoughts although I feel like he's getting abit better just in time for exams but now we have got to somehow catch him up in time!
I'm hugely grateful for everyone taking time to reply. I am off work today and going to create a plan for leading up to the exams.

OP posts:
2bazookas · 09/05/2023 10:29

He's not paying close attention

first to his teacher in class who has doubtless discussed and reinforced PEA many times.

second, to the test questions; he completely missed what's looked for.

You can help train his attention.

I suggest you get hold of old papers so that you can go through questions with him, not expecting him to be able to ANSWER them; purely, to grasp what answer the question is looking for. ie

"the similar behaviours of two elephants"

Thoroughly reading and UNDERSTANDING the questions, is a primary skill in written examinations. Starting with written instructions at the start like "answer four questions in part 1". "Choose ONE essay from the list".

You could record some TV programs or films, run a short segment then he has to say in a few words what happened in the plot. Why is the man in trouble? Whose police statement do you believe, why?

Its very basic "information sorting" that millions of children (and adults) today miss out on. They are deluged with so much multiple incoming information they don't really listen or process it properly.

Original poster
Poppy802 · 09/05/2023 10:21

TeenDivided · 09/05/2023 09:52

In his first paragraph he hasn't talked at all about the similar behaviour

He needs to be looking for things like 'stumbled' or 'wobbled' or 'trumpeted'.

All he has done is summarised the text.

So more like: In source A the author shows the elephant is listless, he talks about Jumbo as being 'sleepy and still'. Similarly in source B Jumbo is described as 'withdrawn and silent'. These show that both animals are not being lively and alert but are quiet.

OK thank you. That's very helpful

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 09/05/2023 09:59

Each board will have its own structure for the 2 papers.

But for each paper he needs to know what each question is asking for.
Some ask to summarise what we have learned about xyz from the text.
Some ask about use of language and effect on the reader etc. He needs to know 'Question 4, 12 marks need to do xxxxx'.
He needs to know how much to write and what gains marks.
He will have been taught this. You need to help him find it in his notes.

You get nothing for waffling and not answering the asked question.

TeenDivided · 09/05/2023 09:52

In his first paragraph he hasn't talked at all about the similar behaviour

He needs to be looking for things like 'stumbled' or 'wobbled' or 'trumpeted'.

All he has done is summarised the text.

So more like: In source A the author shows the elephant is listless, he talks about Jumbo as being 'sleepy and still'. Similarly in source B Jumbo is described as 'withdrawn and silent'. These show that both animals are not being lively and alert but are quiet.

Original poster
Poppy802 · 09/05/2023 09:18

I remember them enforcing PEA from primary school, not sure why it's not sunk in for him. You're right he looks like he may have waffled too much!!
I can't find the text but the question was:
Use details from both sources to write a summary about what you understand about the similar behaviour of the elephants.

His first paragraph of his answer was this

Firstly in source B thr author talks about keeping Jumbo the elephant. Early on in the extract, Abraham describes recieving Jumbo in a horrible condition which his shown in the sentence "Jumbo was about 4ft high and he was in a miserable condition"

OP posts:
justanothernamechangemonday · 09/05/2023 09:09

Point, evidence, analysis. It's the way to structure an answer; E.g Jane Eyre is portrayed as a strong minded, dependable individual. This is shown in several ways; etc etc etc. here are some quotes that back this up, etc etc etc.

Borka · 09/05/2023 09:08

Poiint, evidence, explanation

redskylight · 09/05/2023 09:08

PEA = Point Evidence Analysis

i.e. make points and justify them, don't just fill the page with "Stuff".

Try Mr Bruff on Youtube.

BonjourCrisette · 09/05/2023 09:08

PEA is point, evidence, analysis. So he needs to make a point, back it up with an example from the text and then explain it.

Borka · 09/05/2023 09:07

PEA is point, evidence, analysis. It's basically the same as PEE, which is out, evidence, explanation.

SoupDragon · 09/05/2023 09:06

(not points as in marks, points as in "things")

SoupDragon · 09/05/2023 09:05

Do you have the question?

it sounds like he's "waffled" and not found the 8 points the question is looking for.

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