Students will study the English Language, its variety and history and will acquire the terminology, concepts and methodology in order to understand language and investigate it. They will develop skills as a producer and interpreter of language. Students will study how language varies according to mode, field, function and audience, and how language choices create personal identities. Children’s acquisition of spoken and written language is examined along with appropriate theories of language development. Students will develop their research and investigation skills, and undertake their own research. They will demonstrate their own skills as writers, crafting texts for different audiences/purposes for their coursework; they will reflect on their writing in an accompanying commentary. Independent study commitment: Wide reading plus five hours per week minimum.