English Language
BackEnglish Language is a fascinating subject at A level. It builds on skills you will have developed at GCSE but there’s so much more to study. English Language will hone both your spoken and written communication skills as well as giving you an insight into the way language is used in a variety of different contexts.
English Language students will explore how meanings and representations are created by writers and speakers in a range of different contexts. Sociolinguistic debate is at the heart of the course; you will consider how ethnicity, occupational groups, gender and social class affects language use. Interested in accents and dialects? The course explores the vast diversity in our language. You will examine how the English Language has changed over time by looking at the history of our language.
The Child Language Development unit examines the ways a child acquires spoken language as well as how they learn to read and write. In this unit students will bring together the disciplines of English Language, Biology, Sociology and Psychology. In the coursework unit, they will get the opportunity to write creatively and explore language use in greater depth in a context of your choice.
“My A Level course was exceptionally interesting and stimulating; it allowed me to actively investigate everyday language and understand how it works. It developed my analytical skills and my ability to write in a range of different genres and styles.”
Next Steps
Students who study English Language at A level take many different routes. Many students go on to study English Language or Linguistics at University. The course also takes students in the direction of primary or secondary teaching, speech and language therapy, journalism and other careers in the media, law, midwifery – the list is endless!
The beauty of studying English Language at A level is the development of communication skills; these are vital to almost any career path a student wishes to take.
Entry Requirements
Standard entry requirements, plus:
· Minimum Grade 5 English Language
Exam board
AQA
