If you enjoy analysing contemporary written and spoken language from a variety of media and composing your own texts, then A Level English Language will provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in a lively and stimulating environment. You will study and enjoy ideas and theory about various types of language including: language and technology, language and occupation, language and gender, accent and dialect, language change and the language of political correctness.

Students studying three A Levels will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 6 and three GCSEs at grade 5/4, including English Language and Mathematics at grade 5/4 or above. Or eight GCSEs at a minimum of grade 5.

Topics studied include:

• Children's language development

• Language diversity and change

• Language discourses

• Writing skills

• Language investigation (coursework)

• Original writing (coursework)

*Textual variation and representations

You will have the opportunity to discuss and analyse various types of writing including: newspapers, guide books, scripts and TV voiceovers. Also explored is how language changes over time and varies across the world. There is a further opportunity for creative writing in coursework, and to explore children’s spoken and written language. There is a combination of exams and independent coursework. Topics include: language and gender, accent and dialect, language change and child language acquisition.

There are two exams, one for each module:

Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society (40%)
Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change (40%)
Non-exam assessment (20%) 

You will also produce a language investigation, a creative writing piece as well as commentary identifying your linguistic choices.  

Exam Board: AQA

There is an expectation to complete a one-week work placement in the Summer term. As part of enrichment, you will have the opportunity to attend theatre trips, journalism workshops and university trips. You will also be able to attend day placements at schools.  

The Department of English & Modern Foreign Languages is well-resourced, has highly qualified teachers who are also examiners, and achieves excellent results.

You can expect:

• Interesting and thought-provoking topics 

• Expert teaching and assessment

• Lively classroom discussion

• Friendly guidance

• Optional extra lessons

• Theatre, cinema and TV studio trips

• An enjoyable atmosphere

• High progression rates to university

Many English Language students frequently move to higher education. The skills developed on this course are useful if you intend to progress into teaching, journalism, law, writing, marketing and advertising. A high level command of English is a required skill in many career pathways. This qualification is highly valued by both employers and universities.

Books will be provided by the department, although some coursework texts may be purchased by students.