Literature Study Post-16 II

Resources and reading

Text based resources

Bluett, J et al (2005) Text : Message: The Future of A level English Sheffield: NATE Text : Message, written by the NATE Post 16 Committee takes a critical look at the current state of A level English (Literature and Language) and offers some useful information on existing alternative models for post-16 English study as well as arguing for new approaches in the future.

Fleming, M. and Stevens, D. (2010) English teaching in the secondary school 3rd edition London: David Fulton The chapter on A level teaching in Fleming and Stevens' English teaching in the secondary school gives some useful suggestions and offers a model for a questionnaire/survey to be used by student teachers with A level classes.

Eagleton, T. (1983) Literary theory Oxford: Basil Blackwell
Scholes, R. (1985), Textual power: Literary theory and the teaching of English. New Haven: Yale University Press
I always point my groups in the direction of Eagleton's Literary Theory and Scholes' Textual Power to encourage them to consider some of the issues associated with the subject English Literature, and the ways in which theoretical/critical perspectives can enrich classroom work.

For resources dealing with contextual issues, the Cambridge University Press Contexts in Literature series is helpful to both teachers and students alike.

Eaglestone, R. (2002) Doing English: A guide for literature students 2nd edition London: Routledge
An excellent read (aimed at A Level students but valuable for student teachers and teachers alike) is Doing English: A Guide for Literature Students by Robert Eaglestone (published by Routledge).

Specifications, example question papers and mark schemes, along with other support material, are available at the examination boards' websites.