English Language

Course summary

There are very few if any, areas of our lives that do not involve using language. Studying English Language at A Level will enable you to learn about the structures and functions of the language we use, and to become aware of the social, historical, and psychological issues that shape the ways we think, speak, and write. Expect something very different from GCSE! You will learn how to analyze spoken and written language; discuss and analyze how conversation works; investigate the mysterious processes through which children learn to talk; and learn about the relationship between the language we use and our social values. You will engage in debates about the English Language and learn about how and why the English Language has changed over centuries. You will discuss questions such as: why do many people dislike the Brummie accent, but love to hear a Geordie speak? Could the English Language die out in the next few hundred years? How has the internet changed language use? Do men and women speak the same language? You will also have the opportunity to investigate aspects of language independently in your coursework, as well as to produce some creative writing.