English Language - A Level

The A Level widens students’ knowledge of aspects of language study and deepens their knowledge of how language works. Students develop their awareness of the key constituents and systems of language and learn to apply this to the analysis of a wide range of texts, spoken or written, from the present or the past. Students develop their writing skills and learn to tailor their language according to the demands of audience, purpose and genre.

AS Level - Unit 1
Exploring Language (Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes)
Section A: Analysing language
Section B: Evaluating language in use

AS Level - Unit 2
Language Issues and Original Writing (Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes)
One question in two parts: one essay on a language issue and one original writing task linked to the language issue selected.
A Level (the above plus a further 3 units)

A2 Level -Unit 3
Language over Time (Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes)
Section A: Language change over time
Section B: Contemporary English

A2 Level -Unit 4
Spoken Texts and Creative Re-casting (Written examination: 2 hours)
Section A: Analysing spoken language
Section B: Creative re-casting

A2 Level - Unit 5
Language and Identity (Non-examination assessment: 2500-3500 words)
An investigation based on one of the following:
• language and self-representation
• language and gender
• language and culture
• language diversity