Course Directory > A/AS English Language
English Language A/AS level is an interesting but demanding academic course of study which invites us to explore the many different ways in which language operates. If you are someone who has always enjoyed English and who finds themselves thinking about language; how we learn it as infants, whether males and females use it differently, wondering about word meanings and generally wanting to know more about the central role of language in society, then this is a course to consider. If you are interested in writing as part of a career but you do not want to study English Literature, be advised that reading widely is very important to successful achievement on the course and that creative writing is a minor component. You will be expected to read widely.
Different students tend to enjoy different aspects of the course and students often remark on how varied it is. Perhaps the most frequent comment we hear quite early on from new students is, “It’s nothing like English at GCSE.” This is partly because we focus in some detail on topics such as Language Acquisition, where we explore how babies and small children learn to talk, and Representation, where we look at how social groups are depicted through language.
Although many choose the course because of the chance to do their own writing in the second term, they find this perhaps the most demanding part of the course and need to be self-disciplined to complete it successfully.
Discussing our own experience of language and debating about how this corresponds to what the experts have found in their research plays a very large part in what we do. The course encourages students to use their own initiative in choosing areas of personal interest to write about and investigate and this means working independently at times.
AS assessment consists of one external exam of 2 hours and one coursework unit.
A2 level assessment consists of one external exam of 2 hours and 30 minutes and one coursework unit
There is potential for those wishing to pursue careers or further studies in journalism and education, as well as in many areas of business and management.
More and more universities are offering degree courses in English Language, on its own and combined with other subjects including Linguistics, European or American Studies, most modern languages, English Literature and creative writing.
All students will be expected to provide their own textbooks, stationery, computer disks and calculators (where applicable). Any further costs are outlined below:
Essential: £10-20 for booklets and course materials.
Optional: £20 for tapes and trips.
Students are advised of a small number of useful texts to purchase but this is optional.
If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.
Course: AQA 1701/2701