A2 English Language

AS/A2 ENGLISH LANGUAGE

AQA (1-2 years)

Course Content

Students learn the tools and terminology of linguistic analysis, which will enable them to systematically analyse and evaluate the language style of a range of spoken, written and electronic texts. In the first year, students will encounter debates about how children acquire spoken and written language. The AS coursework unit involves studying (and producing) texts that offer a representation of an event, institution, individual or group. In the second year the focus is on studying variation and change in English (accents, dialects, World Englishes) as well as completing an independent investigation task.

AS Modules

Module 1 Seeing Through Language

Section A of this module will introduce the skills of textual analysis â€" writing intelligently about the language used in texts. â€-Texts' will be taken in a broad sense and will include written texts (for example fiction or journalism), spoken texts (for example transcripts of friends interacting, politicians addressing audiences, workplace conversations)and electronic (for example email or MSN exchanges). There will be a focus on linguistic frameworks and the ability to accurately use terminology to describe specific features of language.

Section B allows students to study how children learn language in terms of their spoken and written development. Both areas will invite students to engage with linguists' theories and draw on their own linguistic experiences aslearners of English.

Module 2 Representation and Language

In this coursework unit, students will investigate how texts might produce and maintain social values in the representations they offer of groups, individuals, events,or institutions. Students will then produce their own writing in a range of genre, choosing to challenge or maintain these representations.

A2 Modules

Module3 Language Explorations

The content of the unit will focus on two main topics:

• Changes in English
• Variation in English in the UK and beyond

Change will involve studying English texts from past centuries, learning of the main historical developments that created English, considering how modern English continues to evolve, and analysing the different attitudes that people have towards this.

Variation will look at accents and dialects that exist in English. There will be a focus on how a speaker's regional background, class, age, gender and ethnic identity influence their use of spoken language.

Module4 Language Investigation and Interventions

This is a coursework unit in which students undertake a linguistic investigation into an area of their interest in spoken English. The task will involve aim setting, data collection (for example collecting recordings of real conversations or intranet transcripts of speeches), linguistic analysis and evaluation. Students will also produce a text in which their findings are reported to a non-specialist audience.

We must stress that AS/A2 English Language is an analytical, linguistics based course and different from GCSE English Language where students have predominately spent time developing their own writing styles and accuracy. AS/A2 English Language looks at the social science of language, its use by those around us and the detailed terminology through which we describe its structure and grammar. We will draw on content from Sociology, Psychology and Media Studies. Creative writing makes up a very small part of the course.

Methods of Teaching

Teaching methods include use of ILT, class discussion, and individual or group presentations. Extension lectures and revision sessions take place at some stages of the year, as well as workshops to offer assistance on subject content. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning by completing written assignments and undertaking independent study through wider reading (using the weekly reading list) and use of the subject's intranet site.

Methods and Patterns of Assessment

Students follow two modules for the AS award, one of which is a coursework module.

To achieve the A level award, candidates must complete the two AS modules plus two further A2 modules.

Financial Implications

In accordance with the College policy, students are expected to provide their own stationery and to purchase the recommended text books. Additional costs could be incurred for optional trips to lectures and conferences. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.

Career Possibilities

Studying English Languageat AS/A2 is excellent preparation for higher education courses in English Language or English Literature and Modern Foreign Languages as well as a range of other Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects. As a skilled language user/linguist you will have access to a wide range of professions including education, journalism, the media, law and management.