English Language

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE?

Do you speak like the cast of Made in Chelsea or RuPaul’s Drag Race? Do you know what a De-influencer is? Do you style-shift your language for Snapchat? With a strong focus on stylistics, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics, this course explores language in its social context, studying accents, identity, rule‑breaking and language change through written, spoken and digital texts. You’ll also discover the history of English, its global spread and its ongoing evolution.

COURSE CONTENT

The two-year AQA course involves the study of a variety of language topics:

• Textual Variations and Representations explore how language creates meaning and representation across a wide range of texts from the 17th to the 21st century.
• Language Diversity and Change examine how different social groups use language and how English evolves over time, drawing on the work of linguists.
• Child Language Development explores theories of language and literacy development in children.
• Language Discourses investigates how writers shape opinions about language, alongside the production of an engaging piece for a non‑specialist audience on a contemporary language issue.

NON-EXAMINED ASSESSMENT

You undertake an independent language investigation on a topic of your choice, collecting and analysing your own data. Topics might include representations of women in sports media, political discourse around immigration, or constructions of femininity and masculinity in lifestyle magazines. Alongside this, you produce original fiction or non‑fiction writing with a commentary reflecting on how language choices shape meaning and influence audiences.

PROGRESSION ONTO YEAR 2

Progression to the second year of the A Level depends on satisfactory progress in the first year, including achieving at least an E grade in the Year One formal assessment and maintaining good attendance and commitment.

FINAL ASSESSMENT AT END OF YEAR 2

Two written examination papers taken at the end of the second year (80%), alongside the non-examined assessment (20%).

Paper 1: (40%) An analysis of language and representation and an essay on child language development.

Paper 2: (40%) An essay on an aspect of language variation or change, an analysis of texts written about a current language debate and your own opinion piece.

WHAT CAN I DO AFTER STUDYING A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE?

English Language is highly valued by universities and employers for the transferable skills it develops, including critical thinking, communication and analytical writing. Students’ progress to a wide range of degree subjects, such as linguistics, law, media, education and the social sciences, and pursue careers in journalism, marketing, education, content development and research.

MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA

Standard College entry requirements (as detailed on page 12) and a minimum of:

Grade 5	GCSE English Language
AND
Grade 4	GCSE English Literature

We are an inclusive department, and, in some situations, we will consider students who have achieved a good grade in only one GCSE English course.

Some applicants may have a career plan for which taking both English Language and English Literature as two separate A Levels would be appropriate, giving them an increased chance of progressing to a highly competitive university, for example, to study journalism.

FURTHER INFORMATION

English Language develops analytical and creative writing skills while offering a fresh perspective on how language shapes communication, identity and power. This course suits students who are highly motivated and willing to engage with a wide range of spoken, written and digital texts, including unseen material and language data in exam conditions. Students need to be organised, ambitious and prepared to work hard both in class and independently, developing the confidence and discipline required for sustained analysis and original thinking.

Students benefit from a wide programme of enrichment offered by the English Department, including theatre and cinema trips, lecture days, competitions, and structured support for university applications, including Oxbridge. Visiting lecturers and academics, alongside writers and journalists, complement course delivery by extending learning beyond the classroom and offering deeper insight into texts, theories and professional pathways. Additional Studies options include Creative Writing, the College Magazine and Debating, allowing students to develop interests and skills beyond the core curriculum.

Please note that in preparation for university, all English courses require an increasingly mature approach to the study of a range of challenging and complex contemporary issues and texts.