AS and A level English Language

Course code: ELS

Level: A Level, AS Level

Availability: Day Course

pdf Download course details as PDF

Summary

On this course you will encounter Marie Claire, scientific and technical articles, newspaper reports, jokes and slang, or even Harry Potter.  While learning how to describe both writing and scripted speech in linguistic terms you will also have the chance to develop your own writing.

 

Requirements

You will need:
At least five GCSEs at grade C or above including English Language and a lively curiosity about language,

because:

  • you will be reading and analysing critically
  • your spelling and punctuation should already be competent
  • you should be prepared to experiment in your creative work.

Course Content

In Year 1 you will study units 1 and 2 for an AS level.  In Year 2 you will take units 3 and 4 to complete the full A level.

Unit 1: Seeing Through Language

  • The features of writing and of speech
  • Technical terms
  • The skill of analysis
  • Language acquisition from 0-5 years
  • Early children’s writing

You will be assessed by examination

Unit 2: Representation and Language

A coursework unit in which you investigate how a social group, an individual, an event/issue or an institution is represented linguistically in a text. You will also produce your own writing to represent one of these issues.
You will be assessed by coursework

Unit 3: Language Explorations

  • Texts from different times and places
  • How language has changed over time, what is happening to it now and how people react to others' use of it
  • How men and women use speech and whether or not they use language differently
  • What political correctness is and how it is regarded
  • You will be assessed by examination

Unit 4: Language Investigation

A coursework unit in which you can choose your own research topic and explore some aspect of the language that appeals to you in depth. You will also produce some writing of your own which deals with one or more of the language issues which have arisen during the course.
You will be assessed by coursework

 

What else do I need to know?

We have an excellent range of coursework topic books, an excellent section in the library, DVDs and audio tapes.  Group sizes are usually from 15-20.

A level English Language can be combined with any other subject. It is a useful qualification for a career in journalism, languages and linguistics. It provides an excellent entry qualification for courses at degree level.  Some, though not all, traditional English courses at university may require A level English Literature for entry.

 

Diary Dates

Course Finder

Search:

Level:

  • A Level
  • AS Level
  • GCSE
  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3

Availability:

  • Day Course
  • Additional Course
  • Community Learning