English Language involves studying the use, varieties, and development of language as well as improving your own writing skills. It often takes the form of studying extracts of texts, rather than extended pieces, and places equal emphasis on spoken, written, literary, non-fiction and media texts. WHAT WILL I STUDY & LEARN? It will allow you to explore how language functions in different social contexts and to become more skillful and sophisticated in your writing in different genres. Language Paper 1 – The Individual and Society This unit will introduce you to methods of language analysis to explore concepts of audience, purpose, mode, and representation. You will then have the opportunity to apply these methods to a variety of texts. You will also study children’s language development, exploring how children learn language and how they can understand and express themselves through language. Assessment is by examination, in which you will analyze and compare texts, and write a discursive essay on children’s language development. Language Paper 2 – Diversity and Change The focus of this unit is the exploration of language in its wider social, geographical, and temporal contexts. You will explore the processes of language change, as well as study and debate social attitudes to language diversity and change. Your exploration will include finding out why language varies and changes, how identity is constructed and how audiences are addressed and positioned. Research skills and effective use of data will be developed, too. Assessment is by examination, which will involve the analysis of how texts are used to present ideas and an evaluative essay on either language change or diversity. Language in Action – (Coursework) The final unit is assessed through coursework. You will have the opportunity to carry out your own language investigation and produce a piece of linked original writing.