PGCE English and Literacy in Education

Question 1

What does 'reading for pleasure' mean as a pedagogical priority in UK schools?

Accepted Answer

Fostering intrinsic motivation to read widely and frequently, linked to broader academic and personal outcomes

Answer

Pupils reading only fiction texts they personally enjoy

Answer

A timetabled silent reading period replacing English lessons

Answer

A policy requiring all pupils to read for 20 minutes each night as homework

Question 2

What is 'synthetic phonics' and why is it the mandated approach for early reading in England?

Accepted Answer

An approach that teaches pupils to blend individual letter sounds (phonemes) to decode words

Answer

A method where pupils learn whole words by sight before learning letter sounds

Answer

A reading method that uses picture clues and context to guess unknown words

Answer

A system for teaching grammar through sentence analysis

Question 3

What does the term 'oracy' refer to in education?

Accepted Answer

The skills of listening and speaking for a range of purposes and audiences

Answer

The ability to read aloud accurately and fluently

Answer

A formal assessment of pupils spoken language at GCSE

Answer

Teaching techniques that use oral rather than written instructions

Question 4

What is a 'tier 2 vocabulary word' in Beck, McKeown and Kucan's vocabulary framework?

Accepted Answer

A high-utility academic word that appears across many subjects and contexts (e.g. 'analyse', 'significant', 'contrast')

Answer

A basic, everyday word known by most young children (e.g. 'house', 'run')

Answer

A highly specialised technical term used only within one subject (e.g. 'photosynthesis', 'iambic pentameter')

Answer

A word borrowed from another language (e.g. 'cafe', 'genre')

Question 5

What is a 'reading aloud' strategy used by teachers to support comprehension?

Accepted Answer

The teacher reading a text aloud expressively, modelling fluency, vocabulary and comprehension strategies

Answer

Asking all pupils to read the same passage aloud simultaneously as a class

Answer

A paired activity where stronger readers support weaker readers

Answer

A phonics assessment method used in Key Stage 1

Question 6

What does 'writing across the curriculum' mean for subject teachers in secondary schools?

Accepted Answer

Every subject teacher has a role in developing subject-specific writing skills and literacy in their discipline

Answer

Only English and Humanities teachers are responsible for teaching writing

Answer

Pupils should write in every lesson regardless of the subject being taught

Answer

Writing across the curriculum is a primary school policy only