Course Title Advanced GCE in English Language
Examination Board AQA
Subject Code A Level Award 7702
Course Content
Unit 1: Language, the Individual and Society
This unit is an introduction to the study of language exploring textual variety and children’s language development. Candidates will be required to study spoken and written language and explore concepts of audience, purpose, genre, mode and representation. Students will be required to identify and describe features of language in a range of texts using methods of language analysis, and will be asked to evaluate the validity of key theoretical concepts in Language study using unseen data as evidence to support their arguments.
Unit 2: Language Diversity and Change
The aim of this area of study is to allow students to explore language diversity and change over time. Students will explore the history of language, processes of language change and social attitudes to language diversity. Focus will be placed on both written and spoken language. In this unit, students will also develop discursive, analytical and creative writing skills when writing about language.
Unit 3: Language in Action
The emphasis in this unit is to allow students to explore and analyse language data independently and develop and reflect upon their own writing expertise. Students will write a language investigation focusing on an individual interest in an area of language study. Past investigations have covered diverse topics such as regional dialect; the language of the media; gendered talk and children’s language use. Students will also write one piece of original writing and accompanying commentary based on either: The Power of Persuasion, The Power of Storytelling or The Power of Information.
Assessment
Unit 1 Examination in June in Year 13. One exam, lasting two hours and thirty minutes. Section A contains three compulsory questions based on Textual Variations and Representations requiring analysis and comparison of unseen data. Section B focuses on Children’s Language Development with a choice of two questions using unseen data. 40% of A Level.
Unit 2 Examination in June in Year 13. One exam, lasting two hours and thirty minutes. Section A contains a choice of two essay questions on Language Diversity and Change, and Section B contains two compulsory questions based on Language Discourses, including a directed writing response.
40% of A Level.
Unit 3 Non-exam assessment. Two sections: a language investigation and a piece of original writing supported by a commentary. 20% of A Level.
Future Progression
This English Language qualification will provide students with an opportunity to study language extensively. It will support students who wish to study languages at A Level and is an ideal option for students who wish to balance out their sixth form portfolio with a subject that provides contrast with Science and Maths subjects. The independent study required will provide the firm foundations of a skill that is essential for success at university. Similarly, the ability to demonstrate sound communication skills, highlighted by both universities and employers as an increasingly sought after quality, will be enhanced by this qualification. Study of English Language at degree level provides support for those hoping to enter a number of careers, including journalism, publishing, copywriting, speech therapy, advertising, TV and radio.
To succeed in English Language
You will:
- Have a genuine interest in communication and language
- Be a keen reader of non-fiction texts
- Have a genuine desire to investigate the way in which a variety of written and spoken texts are shaped by, and in turn shape, culture/society
- Be a creative writer
- Be prepared to work independently and complete research assignments
- Have a critical eye and be able to identify and respond to other writer’s viewpoints
- Be working at a Grade 6 or above in your GCSE in this subject.