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A Level

English Language

Entry Requirements

GCSE Grade 5 in English Language with an average points score of 4.6 or above.

Assessment Method

This course is assessed by coursework (20%) and exams (80%).

About this course

This course is ideal for learners who are interested in the ways that language is used and how language develops. Students will look at topics such as how language varies depending on mode, field, function and audience; and how language choices can create personal identities. You could complement your studies with enrichment activities, including half-day observations with the Speech and Language Therapists, primary school placements Book Club, Creative Writing society and the Journalism Internship.

Who is this course aimed at?

This course is aimed at students who:

  • Would like to know how language works

  • Read and analyse non-fiction; (e.g. newspapers, biographies, blogs, magazines, etc)

  • Are interested in why people speak the way they do

  • Love to write non-fiction (journalism, etc) and/or fiction texts (short stories, dramatic monologues, etc).

What will you learn?

  • Analysing a whole range of spoken, written and multi-modal texts (eg. newspaper articles, blogs, text messages, Twitter, celebrity interviews, etc)

  • Apply a range of language theorists to spoken and written data

  • Exploring how contextual factors (age, gender, ethnicity, media, technology, religion, culture, etc) affect language choices

  • Child language acquisition in speaking, reading and writing; language and power, situation and Standard vs. non-Standard English

  • Language and identity

  • Language changes from circa 1550 to the present day.

What skills will you develop?

  • Analysing and evaluating fiction texts/genres

  • Critical reading and annotation behaviours

  • Extended analytical essay writing in beginning stages of coursework

  • Essay writing

  • Effort

  • Resilience

  • Meeting deadlines Literacy and oracy communication skills Teamwork Self-motivation

Related Courses

Looking for something that works well with this course? Here are some related courses to consider.

English Literature

History

Psychology

Progression routes

  • Teacher

  • Journalist

  • Broadcast Journalism

  • Creative Writing

  • Librarian

  • Speech and Language Therapist

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