English Language A Level

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Exam board: AQA

What is the course about?

This linear A Level course explores language from two perspectives:

• The Individual & Society

• Diversity and Change

On this course you will analyse the multiple meanings and attitudes a particular word or phrase conveys, and how people are represented in a range of texts, both written and spoken. You will look at how and why people speak differently due to their gender, occupation, social background and the part of the country or the world they come from.

In addition you will study how children learn to speak, write and read as well as how and why the English language changes. Through these topics you will evaluate children’s language development theories and examine why language alters so radically over time.

For your coursework, you will undertake an investigation in which you choose a topic that interests you to investigate and this is supplemented by a persuasive creative writing piece and commentary.

Papers 1 and 2 will be assessed by examination at the end of year 2, and you will have finished your coursework by the end of the first year.
 

Duration of course:

2 Years
 

What units/topics will be studied?

Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society – 40% of A Level

Paper 2: Language Diversity & Change – 40% of A Level

Coursework (NEA): Language Investigation and Creative Writing - 20% of A Level

 

What do I need to study this subject?

Students studying this subject will be required to have achieved a minimum of a grade 5 in their GCSE English Language and a minimum of 34 GCSE points.

 

What can I do to prepare myself to study this subject?

Students would best prepare themselves by reading as many different types of texts they encounter in the world around them. They might also consider which aspects of language they themselves have opinions about, and take the opportunity to voice record any instances of spoken language they find particularly interesting – with the permission of the speakers of course!