Why English Language?
This course encourages students to develop their interest in and enjoyment of English, through learning about its structure and its functions, its development and its variations. It also allows students to develop their ability to express themselves both in speech and writing with increasing competence and sophistication, to encounter a varied range of reading and to develop their skills of critical and attentive listening.
Course Overview
Unit 1 - Categorising Texts
This unit covers the introductory aspects of the study of both written and spoken language, using a variety of texts. In addition it focuses on the effects upon language of its use in three specific social contexts:- Language and Power, Language and Gender and Language and Technology.
Unit 2 - Creating Texts
In this unit candidates are encouraged to develop their own writing skills, producing an individual portfolio of writing in different genres for different audiences and purposes e.g. writing to entertain, to persuade, to inform and to instruct.
Unit 3 - Developing Language
This unit has a detailed focus on two specific areas of language study: Child Language Acquisition (the distinctive features of speech and literacy development in native-user children aged 0-11 years) and Language Change (including the history of the English language).
Unit 4 - Investigating Language
In this unit candidates apply their knowledge of linguistic methods and concepts to an investigation of their choice. Students produce a media text (e.g. newspaper or magazine article) focusing on the language ideas and issues surrounding the investigation topic.
Assessment
AS Level Categorising Texts is assessed by written examination. Creating Texts is coursework which is moderated externally. A2 Level is assessed by written examination on Developing Language and coursework on Investigating Language.
Beyond A Level
English Language can combine with any A Level subject to provide a solid entry base for university courses in both Arts and Sciences. The linguistics involved in the course will be invaluable for students of modern languages at university level. The emphasis in the course on independent research provides an excellent grounding for further study in any academic discipline. As a data-based course of study it is an academically rigorous discipline, providing skill in the application of knowledge as opposed to rote learning.