English Language

Course summary

Whilst working towards an English language A Level, different variations of the English language will be analysed to develop your understanding and appreciation of English in all its contexts. You will be encouraged to explore how it is used to communicate through a wide variety of spoken and written texts, ranging from marketing and television to children’s books and gendered adult texts such as ‘lads mags’. There will also be a considerable focus on developing your own writing skills for specific audiences and purposes. You will build on the skills and knowledge you have already gained at GCSE level. You will investigate and analyse a wide variety of texts from Instagram posts, Tweets, opinion pieces, spoken dialogue and magazine articles; amongst others. You will be able to develop your creative and analytical writing skills also. Key topics will include children’s language development, language diversity and change, original writing and textual variations. Spoken and written texts using different dialects, idiolects and sociolects will be studied along with examining the process of globalization of English. As well as analysing spoken and written texts as part of your A Level study, you can also expect to develop your skills as a writer and take part in language research in an area that is of interest to you. This course will allow you to reflect on topics such as: • Why do we swear? • What are the different types of swearing? • Has political correctness meant we shouldn’t use terms like postman? • How is the language of social media different from written texts? • How have we learned to speak? • Is grammar important? Plus many more!