A Level English Language

• Course Information
• Student Resources

Course Information

Advanced Subsidiary	AS
Advanced Level	A2

Examination Board: AQA

The English Language AS/'A' Level course consists of six units, four of which are examined and two of which are coursework.

Successful completion of three units in the Lower Sixth year will lead to the award of an A/S Level examination pass.

Students opting to follow English Language through to a full 'A' Level award will take a further three units in the Upper Sixth year.

The order of the units is as follows and the table shows whether the unit is examined or requires a coursework submission and the percentage value of each unit (N.B. Units have half the value at 'A' Level of units 'cashed in' for an A/S pass.)

				AS	A2
Unit	1	Introduction of the Study of Language	1.5 hours	35%	17.5%
	2	Language and Social Contexts	2 hours	35%	17.5%
	3	Original Writing	Coursework	30%	15%
	4	Investigating Language	Coursework		15%
	5	Editorial Writing	2.5 hours		17.5%
	6	Language Development	2 hours		17.5%

Course Description

Introduction to the Study of Language

This module is an introduction to the study of language, using a variety of texts as the basis for study.

Language and Social Contexts

In this module students will consider three topic areas from the following lists: These are rotated from year to year

• Language and technology.
• Dialects of the British Isles
• Language and gender - this topic looks at gender themes in writing, conversation and changes in language use.
• Language and power - this topic considers how language is used to persuade, as in advertising and politics or to establish a cultural identity, as in language of the media.
• Language & occupational groups. 

Original Writing

Students will develop their own expertise as writers, writing for different purposes and audiences and supplying a commentary on how they have used language to achieve their aims.

Investigating Language

Students will undertake a small (2000 - 4000 word) research project into a topic of their own choice. It is envisaged that this would involve approximately 30 hours of study time, including class contact, individual contact, research, drafting and redrafting.

Editorial Writing

This module asks candidates to select material from a pre-issued pack of source material to construct a new text to suit a particular audience and fulfill a stated purpose.

Language Development

This is an examined module, which requires a detailed consideration of the theories of language change and acquisition of language by children.

Students look at the way children learn sounds, acquire grammar and how to use language to achieve particular purposes as well as the 'rules' of social interaction.

In the language change sessions students will consider how language is constantly changing, look at historical change and the socio-cultural causes of language change.

Assessment Unit 6 is a synoptic assessment i.e. a test of skills learned over the whole of the course.

A unit may be retaken once either to improve a score or to achieve a pass in the event of a fail grade at the first attempt.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs. Jane Blezard

Student Resources