Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C (grade 4) including English.
Course Introduction
Are you interested in why certain people speak like they do? Have you ever noticed how speech is influenced by gender or regional location? Do you know what makes a good communicator? Did you know that approximately 25,000 new words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary every year? English Language is interesting, stimulating and allows you a chance to actively engage with everyday language and understand how it works, evolves and changes
Course Content
In addition to studying written language, A Level English Language looks closely at how English works as speech, and at new types of communication such as text messaging or tweeting. English is in a constant state of change, and your course will include a focus on how it has developed in the past, but also how it is developing now. You will study how children’s language develops and how the use of English varies both nationally and globally. You will create your own texts to suit different purposes and audiences and develop your own language investigations.
Other A Levels
English goes well with any subjects, but combines particularly well with Media Studies, Drama and other humanities and arts subjects. If you’re thinking of taking English at University, you can study it alongside English Literature.
Where will my course lead?
Language skills are relevant to all academic and vocational subjects. You can go on to take a specialist degree in English Language, Language and Communications or Linguistics, or wider choices such as Law, Drama, Education, History or any of the Social Sciences. Career possibilities for English specialists range from teaching, journalism and publishing to speech and language therapy.