Language is a complex, sophisticated structure that we take for granted most of the time; we master it from a young age with seeming ease and continue to use it without consciously putting much thought into language choices. However, as a student of English Language at A-Level, you will become alert to the ways language is being used around you, actively questioning and evaluating the language choices that you encounter in your everyday life. Year 1: In the first year, you will be introduced to the methods of language analysis and to the concepts of audience, purpose, genre, and mode which you will apply to the language used in a wide variety of texts to explore how language creates meanings and representations. You will also be looking at how language varies according to the wider social (including different social groups, genders & occupations), geographical (regional, national, ethnic & international varieties), and temporal (how language changes over time) contexts as well as studying social attitudes to, and debates about, language diversity and change. In the Summer Term, you will begin the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA), or coursework, element by independently investigating a language area of interest to you. Year 2: Alongside completing the second element of the NEA which requires you to develop and reflect upon your writing expertise in a piece of original writing and commentary, you will explore how children develop their spoken language and literacy skills. You will consolidate your data analysis, essay writing, and directed writing skills as well as deepen your knowledge and understanding of linguistic terminology, concepts, theories, and issues.