A Level - English Language

Course Summary

Subject: English Language

Course Title: A Level - English Language

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: A-Level

Course Description

Introduction and Course Description

English Language is an enjoyable, varied A Level which builds on writing and critical reading skills developed at GCSE to encourage pupils to consider how language is used in a wide variety of spoken and written modes. Through analysis of stereotypes associated with accent and dialects; cultural, social and occupational diversity and linguistic development throughout history and child language acquisition, students will gain skills to develop their linguistic awareness through critical analysis in addition to their written and oral communication skills.

A-Level

Paper 1 Language, the Individual & Society (2.5 hours) (40% of A Level)

This paper is split into two section incorporating 2 questions in total.

Section A - Pupils are asked to consider how writers and speakers use language for different audiences and purposes through exploration of texts from a range of genres, times and places. Pupils will be asked to use their critical reading skills to compare and contrast texts and consider linguistic patterns.

Section B - Pupils explore how children develop their spoken and written literacy through consideration of relevant theory and exploration of real data. 

Paper 2 Language Diversity & Change (2.5 hours) (40% of A Level)

The paper is split into two sections incorporating 2 questions in total.

Section A - Pupils will be asked how different social and occupational groups, genders and ethnicity groups use language differently. Pupils will also consider differing attitudes to various accents and dialects both nationally and globally. Students will also work with a range of sources from varying modes and eras to consider changes in the English Language from 1600 to the present day. Questions will ask students to explore contemporary opinions and views of language through exploration of how language has changed and how it is used by different groups of people. These questions will involve pupils using their analytical writing skills and knowledge to develop clear arguments in consideration of the views presented.

Section B - Pupils written skills will be assessed. This question will require students to use the issues posed in Section A of the examination to craft a non-fiction article on a linguistic topic to a non-specialist audience.

Coursework: Linguistic Investigation & Original Writing (Coursework) (20% of A Level)

The coursework includes two separate mini projects.

Piece 1 - This is a piece of original writing based on the style of an established writer/journalist and written for a specific audience and purpose. Pupils select their own style from story writing, journalism, scripts, reviews etc (1500 words).

Piece 2 - This is an individual linguistic investigation into an aspect of the course students have found interesting, using their own data to produce a research project on a selected area. Previous projects have included: the language of serial killers; the language of online gaming; how politicians manipulate the electorate; motivational sports speeches etc (2000 words).

Future Opportunities

A Level Language is a course which will be enjoyed by all those who can formulate original ideas and articulate them in a mature analytical manner. English Language combines well with all subjects at A Level and gives excellent preparation for university courses in Business Studies, Humanities, Languages, Law. Students who pursue English Language at degree level have gone onto careers in marketing and advertising, criminal profiling, political research and administration, journalism.

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