English Language

Course summary

A-level English language is a world away from GCSE English study in many respects. No longer restricted solely to the study of the written word, students quickly immerse themselves in the spoken and computer-mediated words of real-world texts; the origins of the English language and its ever-changing face; how children acquire language, and the differences between the various ‘Englishes’ that exist in tandem. Students study all aspects of English: its sounds, its words, its grammatical structures and its impact in numerous contexts, as well as exploring why people care so much about key language-related debates such as accuracy, political correctness, gendered language, the language of power, English as a global language, and regional accents and dialects. Students often comment on how diverse and genuinely fascinating the A-level course content and study of live English is. With the necessity to develop as a writer and producer of texts (both a piece of original, creative writing and an investigative independent language research project), as well as a critical reader and interpreter of real-world texts, the course demands real academic stamina. Reading widely and independently is an important part of any English course, and the scientific research associated with linguistic study adds a layer of challenge. Those students who excel in the subject can balance these skills, and develop impressive academic rigour; this sets them apart in their university applications and beyond as a result.