A Level English Language

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

English Language enables you to develop your interest and enjoyment of English and gives you a deep knowledge of how language works in a wide variety of real-world spoken and written texts. Language is distinct from A level Literature as, on this course, you will focus mainly on non-fiction texts. You will also engage creatively with topical issues in language in use. Throughout your studies, you will develop your understanding of all the influences that shape the language we use every day. siveness of a lawyer’. (Prof. Maureen Moran, Brunel University)

In the first year, you will develop your understanding of how written language works on a range of levels such as vocabulary, grammar and sound, and how meanings are conveyed both explicitly and implicitly.

You will study spoken language and how it contributes to your identity as well as learning about the diversity of British English. You will also explore two key topics: Language and Power and Language and Gender. You will develop your analytical writing skills and in the exam you will be given texts to analyse on their own and to compare. You will also be asked to write a persuasive piece for a media audience about a topical language issue.

In Year 2, you will study how language changes over time, how children acquire speech and language in the media as well as developing your analytical written skills further. You will also complete a language investigation on a topic of your choice.

Exam - 80%

Coursework - 20%

At least Grade 5 in GCSE English Language and an average GCSE score of 4.80 or higher.

Assessment

AS after one year of study – 100% exam (2 exam papers each worth 50% of AS)

A level after two years of study – 80% exam (2 exam papers each worth 40%) plus 20% coursework - an independent language research project.

AS/A Level English Language provides a qualification in a core subject, with a range of transferable skills. You will develop a detailed understanding of the English Language and develop your critical and creative skills in close reading, evaluation, interpretation and production of texts through exploring and debating with your peers.

You will develop perceptive reading skills and an enquiring mind. You will learn how to create a conceptualised argument and support your points with evidence. As a result your written skills will be enhanced and greatly valued.

You can progress on to related degree subjects like English Language, Linguistics, Journalism, Education, Speech Therapy or you can use it to support your application to other degree courses.

A huge variety of careers are related to the study of English Language such as: Law, Education, Forensic Linguistics, Speech Therapy, Marketing, Journalism & Writing, Dialect Coach, Speech Recognition Software Developer, Teaching, Research, Archivist and any other careers where a high degree of written and spoken communication is essential.