English Language

Course summary

Many students are surprised that A Level English language bears little resemblance to the subject they have studied at GCSE. This interesting and stimulating course gives students opportunities to actively engage with everyday language and understand how it works.\ You will explore many different types of language, from formal prose and political speeches to spoken interactions and emerging areas of communication used on social media platforms. By examining a variety of spoken, written and multi-modal texts, you will develop an understanding of the ways language use varies in different historical and geographical contexts, as well as between different social groups and situations. You will study the structure of English, how English emerged and how it is changing. The course is underpinned by the study of language methods, and the key constituents of language, such as lexis, grammar and pragmatics. Engaging in critical reading, discursive essay writing and data analysis, students develop a wide range of essential transferable skills. You will have excellent analytical skills and the ability to write confidently and coherently. A genuine interest in the English language, in its many and varied forms, and an enquiring mind are also needed. What topics will I study? • Linguistic analysis of authentic texts • Original writing for real-world purposes on topical language issues • Analysis of how children acquire language • Language in the media • How language changes over time