A-Levels: English Language

Why study English Language?
English Language provides students with the opportunity to ask questions they may never have asked about the language which they speak and write on a daily basis. How and why do men and women speak differently? How can language be used as a means of control and power? How do we learn to talk and write in the first place? The study of English Language also allows you to explore your own ability to write creatively for different audiences and purposes.

What do I study?

Year 1 (AS)
Unit 1: Categorising Texts
Covers the introductory aspects of the study of language, using a variety of texts for the basis of this study. In addition it focuses on three specific social contexts: Language and Power, Language and Gender, Language and Technology. This unit is assessed by a two hour examination.
Unit 2: Creating Texts
In this unit you are encouraged to develop your own writing skills, producing writing in different genres and for different audiences and purposes. This unit is internally assessed by coursework.
Year 2 (A2)
Unit 3: Developing Language
Builds on the knowledge and skills developed in AS, as well as having an additional focus on two specific areas of language study: Child Language Acquisition and Language Change. This unit is assessed by a two hour examination.Unit 4: Investigating Language
In this unit you apply your knowledge of linguistic methods and concepts to an investigation of your choice. This unit is assessed by the completion of an extended essay.

Where does English Language take me?

English Language is recognised as an important area of academic study and combines well with a whole range of other subjects for entry into Higher Education. The career opportunities are vast and include working in the Media, Advertising, Teaching and most areas of Administration or Management.