An Inspector Calls: Podcasts and Activities for GCSE English Literature

12 engaging debate podcasts and follow-up activities exploring the key themes and techniques used in An Inspector Calls. Carefully designed to meet all AOs for the 2015 GCSE (9–1) English Literature specifications.

An amazing resource that could be used by either the teacher in a classroom setting or by the student as a revision resource

J Sallabank, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Bring classroom discussion to life!


🎧 Click here for a one-minute sample of Podcast 1🎧

  • Key topics (e.g. context, language and genre) of the play discussed through various scenarios and viewpoints
    • from a struggling student and their teacher, to an entire class discussion, to a director and cast!
    Discussions include:
    • The structure of the play borrows from the ancient Greeks.
    • What was life like in 1912 and how does it affect the play?
    • Priestley uses very few dramatic techniques in this play. Discuss.

    …and more!

  • Consolidation questions and discussion prompts check understanding and encourage higher-level questioning
  • Exam-style questions develop key essay-writing skills and prepare students for the exam
  • Full indicative content provided for easy marking and to check students are on the right track

Students will engage with [it] because of the conversational style...  It's pitched appropriately in language that students will understand... the message is spot on in terms of the exam board requirements

K Chanter, HoD & Peer Reviewer

All debates provided as ❶ audio podcast (mp3) on CD and ❷ paper transcript.

What do teachers say about this resource? (8527)

An amazing resource that could be used by either the teacher in a classroom setting or by the student as a revision resource... There is a clear focus on assessment objectives, and the way that quotation is used helps students to avoid bolting on contextual comments. I also liked the regular consolidation and discussion ideas, and the answer section at the back... The format was good and I liked the regular focus on key terms, consolidation and discussion points. It made the resource very easy to navigate... A more digital/contemporary way of learning for today's generation.

J Sallabank, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Interesting idea... Good balance between support / consolidation and clarification and extension too. Nice to have interviews with people coming from different angles – adds scope to understanding of text. Really like the inclusion of a director and cast when considering staging choices... Good range of topics and angles explored. The questions and activities afterwards are well worded too – good scope. Nice to have extension tasks here too... Matches and interprets the specification very well. Linked tasks are helpful too... The answers at the end of the pack are helpful for both student and teacher. Content has been well-considered to explore a breadth of perspectives and angles... Overall very impressive... A helpful resource, and original format.

N Phillips, Head of English & Peer Reviewer

A really inventive way to get students to revise... it's something that students will engage with because of the conversational style of the work. It's pitched appropriately in language that students will understand and ... the message is spot on in terms of the exam board requirements... I like the way that context is interwoven throughout ... rather than just bolted on... I like how the quotes are embedded. I am always trying to demonstrate how to do this, and this resource does it well. The questions would make this perfect for homework and to check understanding and engagement... A superb resource and I think it is moving with the times to take this approach to revision. It would suit homework and revision in equal measure and models good practice in terms of hitting the exam criteria.

K Chanter, HoD & Peer Reviewer