English Language

Course Description

How does language shape our identity, influence our opinions and help us communicate with the world around us? A Level English Language gives you the opportunity to explore how spoken, written and digital language is used in everyday life.

Throughout the course, you'll develop your analytical, research and communication skills while investigating a wide range of fascinating topics. You'll study how language changes over time, how children acquire language, how people use language in different social groups and how language is used in areas such as advertising, media and online communication. You'll also carry out your own language investigation, developing valuable independent research skills.

A Level English Language is an excellent choice if you're curious about how people communicate and enjoy exploring the power of words. It combines well with subjects such as Psychology, Sociology, Media Studies, History and Politics.

Ideal for students who are:

Interested in language, communication and society
Curious about how people use and shape language
Enjoy analysing texts, conversations and media

Course Content

Component 1 (30%) Language Concepts and Issues
The Analysis of Spoken Language topic involves working closely with transcriptions of speech from a range of real-life spoken language situations. The “Language Issues” essay options cover four areas: “Standard and Non-standard English”, “Language and Situation”, “Child-language Acquisition”, and “Language and Power”. Students are introduced to concepts that have immediate relevance to their own language use, which are then explored via written language analysis covering a wide variety of contexts.

Component 2 (30%) Language Change over time
This unit involves the exploration of a range of historical texts written since 1500. You will be exploring how language has change over time and learning key features of how language was used from 400 years ago. It is assessed via both short questions and essay responses.

Component 3 (20%) Creative and Critical Use of Language
You will explore how you can write for different purposes, audiences and in different genres. You’ll be writing all sorts of different genres including short stories, extracts of novels, film scripts, comedy, and journalism. We also focus on how well you can analyse your own writing to explore and evaluate your language choices.

Component 4 (20%) Language and Identity NEA.
This coursework unit leads to a 2500 - 3500 word language investigation report.
You will pull together your knowledge built up on the course to investigate an aspect of language and identity. You will have a large degree of choice over your topic, with guidance from your teacher, and your coursework will be a unique project. You will develop research skills that are transferable across a wide range of subjects and potential careers. You will learn to use the library and online search engines to find relevant academic writing about your topic, and you will learn to assess and evaluate the relevance and validity of such sources.

Skills Gained

What you'll gain:

Advanced communication and analytical skills
The ability to investigate and evaluate language use
Strong research and independent study skills
Excellent preparation for university, apprenticeships and a wide range of careers

Pathways

A Level English Language can lead to degrees and careers in Journalism, Marketing, Publishing, Teaching, Law, Public Relations and many other fields where communication is key.

Assessment Method

There are three exam components (80%) and one piece of coursework (20%).

Subject Enrichments

Visits to university English language and linguistics departments

Visit to the college by lecturers and professors of English language and linguistics

Participation in university linguistic research