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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:
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.

SoupDragon · 09/05/2023 09:06

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

Borka · 09/05/2023 09:07

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

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.

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.

Borka · 09/05/2023 09:08

Poiint, evidence, explanation

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.

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:
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.

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.

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:
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 10:33

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:
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 10:47

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.

Great tip thank you

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 09/05/2023 12:32

Which board is it? (it will be on his formal exam entry list)

ElizabethBest · 09/05/2023 13:11

I think it would help him to spend more time on the question before starting to answer, and to pick out and highlight what they actually want. So for that question

"Use details from both sources to write a summary about what you understand about the similar behaviour of the elephants."

the key points are that they want details, to use both sources, and you are looking at similar behaviour.

clary · 09/05/2023 13:52

Yes agree with everyone, he’s not answered the question at all in what you quoted @Poppy802.

Great post from @2bazookas about how to see what he needs to do. It’s about identifying what the question is asking - in this case about behaviour, another time it may be about contrasting appearance or similar attitudes.

There are separate requirements for each question (I am assuming AQA?) - so some ask for facts, some need analysis of language techniques etc. Looking at the mark scheme will highlight this.

Yy to underlining key words, tho be aware he may not be allowed to use a highlighter.

MrsHamlet · 09/05/2023 16:09

That's AQA paper 2, which I examine.
If you pm me, I am happy to send you my overview sheet that I give to my students.

SnorkelingInHawai · 09/05/2023 18:02

If you look on YouTube and type in the board and exam he is doing - e.g IGCSE Cambridge First English - you will most probably find revision videos with teachers walking students through each question on the papers and explaining how to answer them.

My son made notes from the videos and then we practiced used the format suggested in the videos and applying it to real questions.

PianoLeGrande · 09/05/2023 20:57

@Poppy802 it really helps us help you if we know what board it is. It will be on whatever school provided timetable wise, the usual one is AQA but also Edexcel etc.

I think one of the things that massively helps parents is looking at the exam papers and the mark scheme from previous years, you can then see what they are looking for. If you have a printer, print off the extract. Then open the question paper in one tab and the mark scheme in another (or two laptops if lucky). Look at the first question, go through it with him, then check the mark scheme. What have his identified that is on that list, what is he missing. Mine didn't do AQA English lang, but if they ask for 5 things there are usually like 8 or 9 as the English papers have no foundation or higher, just one paper for all.

Once he can see what he needs to do, let him tackle the next question and then look at the mark scheme. All the past papers are online. Absolutely get him to underline what he is looking for from the question, then in the text. Mine used to draw a [ around the text line numbers and write question 1 next to it so they knew it was only answers from that section that they were answering for question 1.

Original poster
Poppy802 · 09/05/2023 21:00

PianoLeGrande · 09/05/2023 20:57

@Poppy802 it really helps us help you if we know what board it is. It will be on whatever school provided timetable wise, the usual one is AQA but also Edexcel etc.

I think one of the things that massively helps parents is looking at the exam papers and the mark scheme from previous years, you can then see what they are looking for. If you have a printer, print off the extract. Then open the question paper in one tab and the mark scheme in another (or two laptops if lucky). Look at the first question, go through it with him, then check the mark scheme. What have his identified that is on that list, what is he missing. Mine didn't do AQA English lang, but if they ask for 5 things there are usually like 8 or 9 as the English papers have no foundation or higher, just one paper for all.

Once he can see what he needs to do, let him tackle the next question and then look at the mark scheme. All the past papers are online. Absolutely get him to underline what he is looking for from the question, then in the text. Mine used to draw a [ around the text line numbers and write question 1 next to it so they knew it was only answers from that section that they were answering for question 1.

Thank you. He's doing AQA.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 09/05/2023 21:03

Do I get a smiley face sticker for recognising the paper? 🤣

Evvyjb · 09/05/2023 21:06

That particular question - they both try to escape. The elephant in source A escapes being tied up and then destroys things by accident, whereas Jumbo destroys things out of frustration. They both react poorly to being restricted and forced to behave in unnatural ways.

That question (AQA P2Q2) is essentially "spot the difference/similarity" and then make an inference about it.

Love that elephants paper.

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

Evvyjb · 09/05/2023 21:06

That particular question - they both try to escape. The elephant in source A escapes being tied up and then destroys things by accident, whereas Jumbo destroys things out of frustration. They both react poorly to being restricted and forced to behave in unnatural ways.

That question (AQA P2Q2) is essentially "spot the difference/similarity" and then make an inference about it.

Love that elephants paper.

I only gave the first bit of the answer he gave which was completely off but he did write a lot of things that i felt was relevant. But only got 1 mark
I read today you're looking at a minute per mark?

OP posts: