ENGLISH LANGUAGE

A-LEVEL

This course is all about making words work for you. I'm loving it. Just do it.

If words dance off a page for you when discovering a beautifully-crafted sentence…if your friends feign frustration when you’re in surveillance mode monitoring every sign for signatures of poor grammar…then this is the course for you.

On the English Language A Level, we’ll learn about how language has evolved through the lens of history, art, media and culture. From how we spoke when we were five to how we spoke in the 1500s, we’ll study a variety of texts from every imaginable context.

What makes the English language so fascinating is its origins. The construction of our vocabulary is chiefly derived from three other languages – French, Latin, and Germanic languages such as Dutch.

The English language has been around in various guises for more than 1,400 years. The words you hear today are the result of a mish-mash of West Germanic dialects brought here by Anglo-Saxons in the 400s.

What makes the English language so fascinating is its origins. The construction of our vocabulary is chiefly derived from three others – French, Latin, and Germanic – such as Dutch.

And then we’ve got dialects. The differences you’ll hear crossing the country are nothing short of remarkable – and directly the result of a cornucopia of settlers through the ages. One of the best resources to hear British dialects in action is The Listening Project.

On this course we’ll investigate how language creates identity. We’ll pore over texts old and new to trace the roots of our language and how we have evolved in how we speak and write.

English Language is a hugely practical course. We’ll dive into tons of different examples that illustrate why we speak the way we do. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to write creatively and develop your own short stories to demonstrate your aptitude and passion for words and our wider world.

English Language is a perfect complement to our English Literature A Level, where we’ll analyse and enjoy some of the world’s most wonderful written works.

Or if you want to wrap both into a single A Level, English Combined offers the best of all worlds.

LESSON TIME!

“I want you to write down your first name, please and then pre-modify that with an alliterative adjective*…”

Ladies and gents, we’ve hit the big time here when it comes to learning the language.

In today’s friendly and fun session we’re going to look at slogans – and the skills copywriters use to convince and persuade us, often against our better judgement, to pull out that purse and make a purchase.

What’s a slogan? A memorable phrase used in advertising to persuade the consumer. Or a Scottish war cry. But we’re sticking in this lesson to advertising.

Hit ‘play’ and you’ll find out why brands like McDonalds are constantly in learning mode about the habits and passions of their target audiences to develop compelling narratives casting spells on consumers.

* Choose a word starting with the same letter as your name, that describes you. Top marks, Talented Tony!

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What’s next?

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CAREERS

Thousands of jobs need communication and persuasion.

COURSES

Excited by etymology – the way language is used in society? You’ll be ready to progress on to English undergraduate courses.

English Language A Level students often choose Sociology, Politics and History Degrees and branch out into various linguistics study programmes.

Component 1:

Language Variation (exam)

Component 2:

Child Language (exam)

Component 3:

Investigating Language (exam)

Component 4:

Crafting Language (coursework)

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from English Language

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams and coursework

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

Edexcel

English language involves the study of short texts from everyday life, so you never have to study a novel or a collection of poetry. The primary resource is you; how you use language, how you view the language use of others. Your own viewpoints are encouraged by discussion, by your own research projects and by supportive group work.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

English Language is a subject that involves a lot of group work, so I got to chat with other students during class discussions and this also helps you to make friends and settle in. I also liked that we did regular tests and we had written individual and class feedback to help us improve.