A Level English Language
AQA Examination Board
In Year 12, students learn and apply the methods of linguistic analysis while engaging with current debates around language use. Students are taught about language structures and functions and how these create meaning. They will engage with topical language issues related to areas such as gender, accent and dialect. Students will hone their craft as writers themselves as they begin their original writing NEA and become linguists in the field as they undertake their language investigation NEA.
In Year 13, students will develop and build upon skills of linguistic analysis learnt in Year 12; learning to compare how texts have been constructed. Students will study the language acquisition of children; analysing speech and applying a range of different theories. Lessons will also focus on how language has changed over time, and the globalisation of English.
What does the course involve?
This course requires you to be inquisitive about human interaction, and to consider how language use may differ from its intentions. You will question whether there is a bias in the way we communicate, or if who we are speaking to impacts how we talk.
We study the AQA A Level English Language syllabus.
How will you learn?
You will be taught by two subject specialists, each focusing on one exam paper. You will study a wide range of texts from the present day, back to the inception of language. You may do this through many different lenses including thinking about audience, mode and context, or to consider how language has changed over time.
How you complete your studies will depend on the unit you are studying; it may include annotating extracts, tracking changes over time, crafting essays, making information posters or through group presentations. You may also attend a seminar style lesson where you are given an article to read in advance and then discuss it in a following lesson. Students are encouraged to actively participate in lessons in order to get the most out of them.
In order to promote students engaging in wider reading, and to develop their skills in reading and synthesizing academic literature, they are provided with a reader for each unit covered. They comprise of a series of relevant articles from the world of linguistics, or relevant chapters from books. This forms part of their weekly homework; students must read the prescribed articles for the week and produce Cornell notes in their provided Cornell notebook. There are also a bank of questions to test comprehension of one of the articles the following week.
To support students in ensuring that they have all the terminology, theories and concepts needed to succeed in English Language A Level, students are provided with a comprehensive knowledge organiser that covers all information taught in class. Students are encouraged to use it as a revision aid, and to support them when planning essays. Similarly, students are encouraged to use them to ensure that their notes are suitably detailed.
What exams and coursework are involved?
There are two exam papers (worth 80% of the final mark) and two pieces of coursework (worth 20% of the final mark).
All exam questions require students to answer in essay form, and are all taken at the end of Year 13.
Coursework is broken into original writing, where students create their own piece of writing emulating the style of another and language investigation, where students investigate a topic of interest to them – maybe looking to explore their understanding of a topic beyond what we learnt in the classroom.
What are the entry requirements?
Please refer to our entry requirements document.
You must have an interest in linguistics and how people communicate with one another, and why.
What could you do after completing the course?
A Level English Language is a highly respected academic subject, that is valued by both universities and employers. Previous students have gone on to have careers in law, journalism, teaching and marketing. You will have developed strong analytical and communicative skills which is useful in any career where critical evaluation and persuasive argument is required.