Ever wondered why people speak like they do? Do you think that men and women speak differently? Do you know that makes a good communicator? English Language allows you a chance to actively engage with everyday language and understand how it works. You will study spoken, written and electronic forms of communication, phonetics, how language links to identity, early child spoken language acquisition, the development of reading and writing in children, language diversity and how the language has evolved through time.
You will need 5 GCSE's at grades 5-9, including English.
| Study level | Cost | Additional fees |
|---|---|---|
| 16-18 | Free | There are no costs charged to enable you to study this A-Level course. You will need to provide your own stationery and you will be given the opportunity to take part in trips and visits, which may incur a cost. |
You will be taught using a variety of styles and methods and will be encouraged to become involved in debate and discussion about the power of meaning and the skills writers use to put ideas across.
In a typical week you will be given a range of tasks to complete. However, the major form of assessment will involve writing essays. An overview of content you will study:
Language Variation (assessed via exam):
How language varies depending on mode, field, function and audience.
How language choices can create personal identities.
Language variation in English from c1550 (the beginnings of Early Modern English) to the present day.
Child Language (assessed via exam):
Spoken language acquisition and how children learn to write between the ages of 0 and 8.
The relationship between spoken language acquisition and literacy skills that children are taught, including the beginnings of reading.
Appropriate theories of children’s language development.
Investigating Language (assessed via exam):
You will select a research focus from five topic areas (Global English/Language and Gender Identity/Language and Journalism/Language and Power/Regional Language Variation)
You will develop your research and investigation skills.
Crafting Language (assessed via coursework):
You will demonstrate your skills as writers by crafting texts for different audiences and/or purposes
English and Maths are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and progress to your dream career. If you have not already achieved grade 9-4 in GCSE Maths and/or English at school, we will support you to improve your skills.
The sixth form day is 9am-4.15pm and takes place Monday-Friday.
You will study each of your subjects for 4hr 45min per week, across three separate lessons.
Your timetable will be determined by the combination of subjects that your study, which will be made available to you at the start of the academic year.
You are not required to be on campus when you do not have a timetabled lesson, although we would strongly recommend that you are. Making effective use of our learning facilities and resources during such study periods, will ensure that you keep on top of your work and make significant progress in your studies, not to mention developing important time-management, organisation and independent-study skills.
You will study 4 modules throughout this two-year course. Three of these are assessed with an examination at the end of your second year and the other is non-examined assessment (coursework).
The coursework aspect contributes 20% towards your overall grade, whereas the remaining 80% will be awarded from the results of your examinations.
Throughout Year 12 you will study:
- Language Variation (individual)
- Child Language
- Crafting Language (non-examined assessment practice)
Moving into Year 13 you will study:
- Crafting Language (non-examined assessment portfolio)
- Language Variation Over Time
- Investigating Language
Language is everywhere: it is woven into every aspect of our lives and defines us as human beings. From the moment we are born, we are being exposed to all kinds of communication. Have you ever wondered what impact this is having on your own personal thoughts and behaviour? I assume not, particularly since it’s hidden in plain sight; it is so self-evident we barely give it a second thought.
Learn how we acquire language, how we use it as a social tool, how it has evolved and spread over time and what it may look like in the future. As well as this you will also develop invaluable skills for your future working life and will begin to appreciate the role of language in social control, propaganda, and manipulation. Most Higher Education courses and career paths will have a written element and so being able to communicate effectively and engagingly will really help you get to your next step, whatever that may be.
Popular jobs for English graduates include journalist, writer, blogger, editor, translator, private English tutor, linguist and publisher. Further professions which are directly linked to an English Language qualification are lexicographer, speech and language therapist and Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). However, a command and a better understanding of the English Language would be valuable for any career path you choose to follow.
Suggested subject combinations include essay based choices such as History, Sociology, English Literature, Law and Media/Film Studies.
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