When students hear the words nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, it’s easy to see their eyes glaze over. But here’s the thing—knowing your grammar is more than just ticking boxes. It's a must if you want to succeed in the GCSE English Language exam.
Let’s talk about Assessment Objective 6 (AO6). It’s worth a massive 20% of the total 160 marks. That’s not a small bonus—it’s a fifth of your final grade! Yet the official name, Technical Accuracy, doesn’t exactly capture how vital this element is.
To reach Level 4 in AO6, students must "use Standard English consistently and appropriately with secure control of complex grammatical structures." Sounds a bit like a job application for the Foreign Office, right? And don’t forget: the examiner is also looking for "a high level of accuracy in spelling, including ambitious vocabulary."
As an experienced English teacher who has worked with ESL (English as a Second Language) students from Years 7 to 10, I can tell you this: speaking English fluently is not the same as writing it effectively.
For many students who speak another language at home, the written demands of GCSE English can feel like a completely different language. That’s why explicit grammar instruction is essential—particularly in understanding the building blocks of English.
In their groundbreaking work A Grammar of Contemporary English, linguists Randolph Quirk and Jan Svartik describe 10 parts of speech that underpin most Indo-European languages:
Why does this matter for the GCSE? Because without a solid grasp of parts of speech, students struggle to:
From my experience, the following areas are absolutely essential for preparing students -especially ESL learners - for the English Language GCSE:
✅ Understanding nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
✅ Mastery of main and subordinate clauses
✅ Clear knowledge of sentence structure and syntax
✅ Practice with ambitious vocabulary and accurate spelling
✅ Targeted grammar support for upper KS2 to KS4
These grammar fundamentals aren’t just about rules—they provide the foundation students need to analyse language, write clearly and persuasively, and meet the expectations of the examiners.
Of course, AO6 is just one part of the picture. Students are also expected to:
But here’s the truth: without secure grammar skills, all those higher-level tasks become much harder.
Whether your student is a native English speaker or learning English as an additional language, understanding grammar is a superpower. It builds confidence, sharpens writing, and unlocks success in the GCSE English Language exam—especially that all-important AO6.
So yes, grammar really does matter. And it’s never too early (or too late) to make it a priority in your teaching or learning journey.
Would you like our downloadable checklist of key grammar skills for GCSE English ESL students?