English Language & Literature GCE A Level

English Language & Literature GCE A Level

Qualification: AS/A2 - 2 year course

Course type: Level 3 (advanced)

Entry requirements:
4 x GCSE B grades - must include C in English Language

Head of Department: Mr Robert Jones

Course assessment:
Both units at AS and one at A2 are assessed via examination. The literary comparison at A2 is assessed by coursework. During the year, you will submit regular assignments, which will take different forms depending on the unit you are studying. For example, you will have to write essays but you will also have to produce other types of writing such as informative pieces or writing to entertain.

What can this course offer me?
This course offers you a smooth transition from GCSE and allows you to divide your attention equally between both areas of English. You will explore how writers and speakers use language in a wide range of literary and non-literary texts, looking at poetry, prose and drama, as well as travel writing, biography, conversation transcripts, media articles and other texts. You will also learn to write successfully for many different purposes and a variety of audiences. This course offers you the chance to become an independent, confident and reflective reader and writer - skills very much in demand in the world beyond KGV.

What will I learn?
At AS:

• Study of prose and drama
• Language production (writing for specific audiences/purposes)
• Analysis of speech, including transcribed spontaneous conversation, planned and public speeches and the representation of speech in literature

At A2:

• Comparing and writing texts of various genres, modes and from different historical periods
• A comparison of two literary texts, one of which will be poetry In class, you will experience a range of teaching and learning styles, including individual and group work, group presentations to the class and using ICT to enhance your learning. To support your learning, we also arrange visits to the theatre, day lectures and conferences, and visiting speakers.

What Makes a good English Language & Literature student?
You'll probably be a reader - not just novels, but newspapers, magazines and maybe even the odd poem. You might be a writer too, either for your own pleasure or for the school magazine. But this is a course for everyone who wants to build on the l

Which other courses link well with this subject?
There is a wide range of choice as to which courses you can take alongside this course. You cannot, however, take English Language or English Literature alongside the Combined course.

Future Opportunities
You will develop skills which are highly valued by Higher Education and employers alike: in reading, the skills of analysis, interpretation and critical reading. In writing, editorial skills and the ability to write in a wide range of forms, as well as being able to adapt your writing to different audiences. Journalists, teachers and lecturers, lawyers, are just some examples of professions where such skills are essential, but there are many more.

Is there anything else I need to know?
It is important that you do not think of the Combined course as separate subjects being taught side by side. This is a fully integrated course in which close engagement with and analysis of language will help to enhance your appreciation of literature.

We are looking for you to be:

• Inquisitive about language and reflective about its use in the world around you.
• A keen and independent reader.