Year 11 - English
Del and Viv's experiences with education in 'Leave Taking'
Leave Taking: The power of education
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils do a deep dive into the role of education in 'Leave Taking'. They first look at how education is presented, and how Viv and Del experience it differently. They then think about what Pinnock might be communicating about education, before preparing and writing an essay about it.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to compare Viv and Del's differing experiences with education - both formal and informal - in 'Leave Taking'.
Key Notes
- Del's experiences with formal education were mainly negative.
- Del understands the value of formal education, hence her anger at Viv for skipping one of her A Level exams.
- Del finds a sense of peace and fulfilment via her informal education with Mai.
- Despite her academic success, Viv doesn't connect to her school curriculum.
- At the end of the play, Viv pursues Black Studies at uni, perhaps suggesting she will enjoy a more fulfilling education.
Vocabulary To Learn
- formal education: Teaching and learning that happens in institutions and follows a particular curriculum.
- informal education: The learning that occurs outside formal settings; a lifelong education in which you learn about yourself and the world.
- formative: An experience that has a profound (deep) and lasting influence on a person.
- dyslexia: A condition that affects the skills used to read fluently and accurately.
- identity: Who you are; the qualities that make you. Understanding, finding and accepting your identity can be a life's work.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Del doesn't value formal education.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Del's experiences with formal education were mainly negative. Del understands the value of formal education, hence her anger at Viv for skipping one of her A Level exams.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'formal education'
Teaching and learning that happens in institutions and follows a particular curriculum.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Del doesn't value formal education. Correction: Del does see the value in formal education, but was turned away from it through a lack of support and understanding.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing model responses on the theme of education in 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
- Planning an essay on the theme of education in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
- The importance of the character of Brod in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
- The value of education to Enid in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
- Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
- Winsome Pinnock's messages about education in 'Leave Taking' Study Guide
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