Students must meet the minimum entry requirements for the Academic or Combination study pathway. In addition, students must have GCSE Grade 6 in either English Language or English Literature (or equivalent at BTEC Level 2).

This course aims to encourage students to develop their interest in and appreciation of the English language that they speak every day, as they learn about its structures and its functions along with language developments over time. Variations in the language used throughout history, regions, countries and social groups will also be analysed.

Students will develop their ability to express their ideas and analyse the ideas of others in both spoken and written formats, developing the ability to learn how to analyse the links between purpose, audience and context.

The course focuses on language change and language variation: child language acquisition, gender, occupation and social groups.

Students may be expected to buy course textbooks costing up to £25.

YEAR ONE

Paper 1 – Language and the Individual

• Studying a range of written and spoken texts by a range of different writers and speakers, analysing contexts and integrating linguistics.

Paper 2 – Language Varieties

• Language diversity: child language acquisition, gender, occupation and social groups. They will also explore audience, purpose, genre and mode.

YEAR TWO

Paper 1 – Language, the individual and society

• Looking at how children acquire and develop language up to 11 years of age.

Paper 2 – Language Diversity and Change

• Exploring the history of the English language and its importance in language development.

Non-exam assessment

• This coursework task requires students to produce a language investigation and a creative piece of writing with a commentary.

Trips include a visit to the English Language Student Conference and to the British Library in London.

Paper 1 – Language, the individual and society

• 2½ hour examination worth 40% of the A-level grade

Paper 2 – Language Diversity and Change

• 2½ hour examination worth 40% of the A-level grade

Non-exam assessment

• A coursework piece worth 20% of the A-level grade

A-level English Language will prepare you for higher education courses that encourage communication and creativity such as journalism, law, English, politics and speech and language therapy.