English Language A-Level
“Language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about.”
Examination: This course is examined in June of both Year 12 and Year 13
Course details
Unit 1: Language – Context and identity
Students will study:
How language choices affect the range of contexts in which language is produced and received
How writers/speakers choose language to reflect and construct their identity or identities
Unit 2: Language in transition
Students will study:
The influence of other languages on the development of English
Pidgins and creoles
The development of English outside the British Isles
Explore the ways in which languages change, with a focus on English in a global context.
Unit 3: Crafting Language (Writing)
Students will:
Study a range of specified writing genres and appropriate style models
Demonstrate their skills as writers in re-creating texts for different context, purpose and audience.
Unit 4: Investigating Language
Students choose from the following topics for research:
- Global English
- Child Language Development
- Language and Power
- Language and Technology
Assessment overview, duration and weighting
Paper 1 - Written exam 1 hour 45 minutes (25% of qualification - 50 marks)
Paper 2 - Written exam 1 hour 45 minutes (25% of qualification - 50 marks)
Paper 3 - Written exam 2 hours (25% of qualification - 50 marks)
Paper 4 - Written exam 2 hours (25% of qualification - 50 marks)
| Exam Papers | % of IAL | Assessment overview |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Language - Context & Identity (June Year 12) | 25 | Section A: Context & Identity (35 marks). Students answer a comparative question based on two unseen texts from the 20th and 21st century sources. Section B: The Creation of Voice (15 marks). Students create a new text for a specified audience drawing on their own ideas and those from the text. |
| Paper 2: Language in Transition (June Year 12) | 25 | Section A: Spoken language today (25 marks). Students answer one question on an unseen transcript of spoken English of the 21st century. Section B: Written language of the 19th and 20th century (25 marks). Students answer one discussion question using the unseen texts from the source booklet highlighting language issues. |
| Paper 3: Crafting Language (June Year 13) | 25 | Section A: Creating text (20 marks). Students create their own text based unseen sources linked to a single topic and given a genre. They will choose their own audience, purpose and context. Section B: Commentary (30 marks). Students produce a commentary reflecting on their writing process done in Section A. |
| Paper 4: Investigating Language (June Year 13) | 25 | Section A: Unseen data analysis (20 marks). Students answer one question on their chosen subtopic of investigation using unseen data given in the source booklet. Section B: Extended response (30 marks). Students use their data and knowledge from their investigation to answer an evaluative question. |
Wider reading
Clayton, D., & Drummand, R. (2019). Language Diversity and World Englishes. Routledge.
Cushing, I. (2012). Language Change. Edinburgh University Press.
Thorne, S. (2014). Mastering Advanced English Language (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
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