Spotlight on 11+ English Skills: Key Areas to Strengthen
Strong English skills are a cornerstone of success in the 11+ exam and beyond.
At Maidstone Learning Centre, we help students build a toolkit of literacy skills that not only prepare them for the test, but also lay the foundation for confident communication and critical thinking.
Here’s where to focus when preparing for 11+ English.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is a major part of the 11+ and it’s about much more than just reading the words.
Students need to:
- Understand explicit information
- Make inferences (reading between the lines)
- Analyse characters, themes, and vocabulary choices
- Summarise and explain ideas clearly
Tip: Encourage daily reading across a range of genres; fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and newspaper articles and ask open-ended questions to boost thinking skills.
- Vocabulary Building
A strong vocabulary unlocks both reading comprehension and verbal reasoning success.
Key strategies:
- Daily reading (exposing students to rich language)
- Keeping a “new words” journal
- Playing vocabulary games (synonyms, antonyms, word matching)
Understanding precise word meanings makes a huge difference in both comprehension and answering tricky questions.
- Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation (SPaG)
Many 11+ English tests include questions on grammar and punctuation, or assess these skills within writing tasks.
Focus areas include:
- Sentence types (simple, compound, complex)
- Correct punctuation (commas, apostrophes, speech marks)
- Common grammar rules (tenses, subject-verb agreement)
- Accurate spelling of commonly tested words
Tip: Regular mini-reviews and quick quizzes can make SPaG practice fun and manageable.
- Creative Writing Skills
Some 11+ exams ask students to complete a short writing task often narrative, descriptive, or persuasive.
Strong creative writing skills include:
- Clear structure (beginning, middle, end)
- Interesting vocabulary and varied sentence starters
- Creating atmosphere or character quickly
- Using effective dialogue and description
Tip: Encourage short, timed writing bursts “Write a story opening in 10 minutes” to build stamina and creativity.
- Confidence in Expressing Ideas
Above all, English success is about confidence, the ability to express thoughts clearly and thoughtfully.
At MLC, we focus on:
- Building discussion skills
- Encouraging creativity
- Helping students find their unique voice in writing and speaking
Confidence turns good English skills into great exam performance.
Building English Skills for Success and Life
At Maidstone Learning Centre, our 11+ English programmes focus on depth, not just drills.
We help students:
- Understand how language works
- Use vocabulary creatively
- Tackle comprehension and writing with real confidence
Want to give your child the best start for the 11+ and beyond?
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation or trial session