English Language A Level is an engaging, challenging and stimulating course. It is very different from GCSE English. It is not an opportunity for development of one’s general ability to use the language; it is the study of how others use language, both written and spoken, and the chance to explore areas of personal interest through writing.
The course would lend itself to the study of Linguistics at university, or it would complement Modern Languages or English Literature courses. Career paths could include journalism and the media, law, politics, publishing or other jobs in which the use of language is key.
Course content and assessment
The first year of study offers an introduction to the building blocks of our language – lexis, grammar/syntax, phonology, discourse structure – and students are required to analyse language precisely and systematically. They are also given opportunities to explore areas of sociolinguistics, such as the influence of gender, power and technology on the language that we use. The definition of text is very broad in Language and you are also likely to analyse the language used in a spoken transcript of a conversation between friends, as you are to look at more conventional written texts.
At A-Level, students undertake an extended independent language investigation. They also study the history of the English language and some of the key influences on our language, as well as attitudes to language change.
The definition of a text is very broad in Language and you are as likely to analyse the language used in a spoken transcript of a conversation between friends, as you are to look at more conventional written texts.
At A-Level, students undertake an extended independent language investigation. They also study the history of the English language and some of the key influences on our language, as well as attitudes to language change. The second component in the A Level course focuses on children’s language development – how and in what ways children develop the skills of speech, reading and writing.
There are also plenty of opportunities for creative writing on the course.
There are plenty of opportunities for independent research as part of the A Level. Students have enjoyed investigating topics such as the effect of gender on teachers’ language, celebrities and changes in accent and dialect in their rise to fame, generational differences in use of text language, and linguistic techniques used by barristers in cross examinations.
What subjects does English Language combine with?
The study of English Language combines well with most other arts subjects, such as Literature, History and MFL. It also works well with subjects such as Psychology and Business Studies.