What will be studied?

Over the course of the two years of study you will:

• Consider how language is shaped according to audience, purpose, genre and mode
• Understand and use appropriate terminology, enabling you to analyse language precisely.  These fall under the language level headings of lexis and semantics, grammar, phonology, graphology, discourse and pragmatics, which will allow you to explore how language behaves in written, spoken and multi-modal texts
• Explore different sociolects, including social, occupational, gender and ethnicity groups
• Study regional, national and international varieties of English
• Learn about and understand the influence of concepts and issues relating to language, such as power, gender and technology
• Write academically about these subjects  as parts of discourses about language

• Consider the functions of children’s language across different modes of communication 
• Study how language has changed since the 1600s 
• Learn skills to prepare you to conduct an independent investigation into a language topic of your choice
• Study a range of style models in order to create a piece of original writing and commentary

How will I be assessed?

The A Level course is assessed by two end of year exams plus the non-exam component: a language investigation and a piece of original writing accompanied by a commentary.  There are 5 assessment objectives that students must meet:

A01: the ability to use the language levels

A02: a critical understanding of issues surrounding language use

A03: analysis of how contexts influence language features to construct meaning

A04: comparing texts, in relation to the above

A05: expertise and creativity in using English to communicate in different ways

What next?

English Language will support any communications or language-oriented degree course such as Literature, foreign languages, journalism – even Law. It will support careers in psychology or linguistic neuro-science if partnered with an appropriate degree.   It can also be studied at degree level in its own right, as Language, and/or Linguistics.  Linguists can go on into a diverse range of careers, from forensics to more obvious choices such as teaching and language therapy.

Further Information:

If you need any further information about studying English Language, please contact:

Ms J Naylor – jnaylor@bluecoat.uk.com