Entry requirements: Minimum entry requirements and GCSE grade 6 in both English Language and Literature. Course content: At A-Level, students will explore the fundamental structures, genres, audiences and purposes of writing, speech and multimodal texts and how language functions in different contexts. The course gives them the ability to apply a range of language levels to a wide variety of texts from both the past and the present. They will learn linguistic concepts and theories that underpin all language study. Students will also be required to use their knowledge and interest in language studies to carry out a linguistic investigation showing understanding and analysis of data collection and investigation methodologies. The A-Level course also continues to develop their own writing and requires them to create texts and to reflect critically on their own processes of production, while analysing the texts produced by others. Assessment: The A-Level course is assessed through two written examination papers and a coursework folder. Paper 1: examination asks students to analyse and compare how two texts, linked by topic or theme, use language to create meanings and representations. The texts will be very varied, written or spoken, and could include multimodal texts. Then, having studied how children develop their language and learn how to understand and express themselves, they will be asked to answer one question from a choice of two, with data provided, which will focus on written, spoken or multi-modal language. Paper 2: examination draws on students’ study of language diversity and change over time. They will study: • The key concepts of audience, purpose, genre, mode • Language in its wider social, geographical and temporal contexts • The processes of language change • Social attitudes and debates about language diversity and change Over the course of the two years, students will complete various timed essays and mock examinations in order for them to get a sense of what their final A-Level exam will be like and for them to be able to track their own progress and learn to perfect their written style. The title of the coursework unit is ‘Language in Action’ because it puts the emphasis on students becoming an active researcher, organising their time and deciding their direction. This unit is designed to give students opportunities to show they can work independently, research, investigate and make judgements about what their investigation reveals alongside the opportunity to be creative and craft their language to meet the needs of a given audience, purpose and genre. There are two types of work in the coursework folder: • Language Investigation – 2,000 words excluding data • Original Writing and commentary – 1,500 words in total Why English Language at Samuel Ryder Academy? We have an outstanding track record in this subject and consistently ensure students achieve their full potential. In addition to this, we have a highly trained team of excellent subject specialists. The teachers’ interest in this area is shown through their ability to link the components of the course with relevant modern examples in the media and beyond. Expectations of students: All students must attend all lessons, hand in all work on time and show that they are engaged in lessons and making good progress. As this is a linear course studied over two years, students must show rigour with their note-taking and home-study, which will allow them to get excellent grades at the end of year 13. Career paths: Publishing, journalism, careers in media and advertising and teaching are to name but a few careers that English Language students go in to. This course is ultimately about the study of words so will therefore be applicable to a range of careers.
About Education Provider
| Region | East of England |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Drakes Drive, St Albans, AL1 5AR |
Entry requirements: Minimum entry requirements and GCSE grade 6 in both English Language and Literature. Course content: At A-Level, students will explore the fundamental structures, genres, audiences and purposes of writing, speech and multimodal texts and how language functions in different contexts. The course gives them the ability to apply a range of language levels to a wide variety of texts from both the past and the present. They will learn linguistic concepts and theories that underpin all language study. Students will also be required to use their knowledge and interest in language studies to carry out a linguistic investigation showing understanding and analysis of data collection and investigation methodologies. The A-Level course also continues to develop their own writing and requires them to create texts and to reflect critically on their own processes of production, while analysing the texts produced by others. Assessment: The A-Level course is assessed through two written examination papers and a coursework folder. Paper 1: examination asks students to analyse and compare how two texts, linked by topic or theme, use language to create meanings and representations. The texts will be very varied, written or spoken, and could include multimodal texts. Then, having studied how children develop their language and learn how to understand and express themselves, they will be asked to answer one question from a choice of two, with data provided, which will focus on written, spoken or multi-modal language. Paper 2: examination draws on students’ study of language diversity and change over time. They will study: • The key concepts of audience, purpose, genre, mode • Language in its wider social, geographical and temporal contexts • The processes of language change • Social attitudes and debates about language diversity and change Over the course of the two years, students will complete various timed essays and mock examinations in order for them to get a sense of what their final A-Level exam will be like and for them to be able to track their own progress and learn to perfect their written style. The title of the coursework unit is ‘Language in Action’ because it puts the emphasis on students becoming an active researcher, organising their time and deciding their direction. This unit is designed to give students opportunities to show they can work independently, research, investigate and make judgements about what their investigation reveals alongside the opportunity to be creative and craft their language to meet the needs of a given audience, purpose and genre. There are two types of work in the coursework folder: • Language Investigation – 2,000 words excluding data • Original Writing and commentary – 1,500 words in total Why English Language at Samuel Ryder Academy? We have an outstanding track record in this subject and consistently ensure students achieve their full potential. In addition to this, we have a highly trained team of excellent subject specialists. The teachers’ interest in this area is shown through their ability to link the components of the course with relevant modern examples in the media and beyond. Expectations of students: All students must attend all lessons, hand in all work on time and show that they are engaged in lessons and making good progress. As this is a linear course studied over two years, students must show rigour with their note-taking and home-study, which will allow them to get excellent grades at the end of year 13. Career paths: Publishing, journalism, careers in media and advertising and teaching are to name but a few careers that English Language students go in to. This course is ultimately about the study of words so will therefore be applicable to a range of careers.