English Language
Why study English Language?
Humankind's ability to communicate is one of its most notable phenomena; English Language at A-Level is about getting to the heart of how and why language is used (consciously and subconsciously) in the world around us and the effects of the ways in which we use language.
Starting from how we acquire language as children to how we manipulate and shape language to reflect and construct identity as adults, this course will allow you to probe and analyse the way language has metamorphosed over time in response to significant historical and social changes up to the present day, where the influence of social issues and technology continue to shape communication within a range of different contexts and by a range of different speakers and writers.
If you are a budding writer (fiction or non-fiction), you can showcase your creativity through the original writing coursework component.
The different skills you will hone throughout the course, including contextualised data analysis, discursive essays, evaluation and investigative research, will equip you well for a range of future academic and career paths. English Language is particularly complimentary for A-Level English Literature, Psychology, Sociology, and Law.
Exam Board:
EDEXCEL: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/english-language-2015.html
Course Outline:
Language Variation
Individual Variation: comparing how individuals use language to portray their identity
Variation Over Time: analysing how language use has changed over time (and is constantly evolving now)
Child Language
Understanding how children acquire both spoken and written language from age 0 to 8 years old.
Investigating Language
A research and investigation unit in which you select a focus area from 5 topics to research in depth (e.g. gender, power, dialect, global English, journalism)
Coursework: Crafting Language
Two creative pieces of writing with an accompanying commentary to illuminate your writing process and intended effects.
How you are assessed:
Examinations account for 80% of the assessment and are all extended essay and responses in which you will analyse unseen texts and orientate the texts in relation to your own study, research and understanding of the different topics.
For the coursework component students will produce two creative writing pieces and a commentary. This will account for 20% of the final marks.
Subject requirements:
A minimum of a grade 6 at GCSE English is required.
Sixth Form
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