English Language
Entry requirements: GCSE Grade 5 or above in Language or Literature
English Language is one of the most popular and successful A level subjects at Gateacre. It covers many aspects of language including how children learn language, how language is structured, how we recognise varieties of English, how language operates within society and how language changes over time. Pupils are also given the opportunity to practise their own writing for different audiences and purposes, and are expected to conduct their own research and report on it. The ‘A’ level is accepted by all universities and would be of direct interest to most Arts students. Candidates would be expected to have an interest in language and to have shown enthusiasm for creative writing.
Paper 1: Language, the individual and society
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes; 100 marks; 40% of A-level
What's assessed?
Textual variations and representations
Children's language development (0 – 11 years)
Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Section A – Textual variations and representations
· Two texts (one contemporary and one older text) linked by topic or theme.
· A question requiring analysis of one text
· A question requiring analysis of a second text
· A question requiring comparison of the two texts
Section B – Children's language development
· A discursive essay on children’s language development, with a choice of two questions where the data provided will focus on spoken, written or multimodal language.
Paper 2: Language diversity and change
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes; 100 marks; 40% of A-level
What's assessed?
Language diversity and change; language discourses; writing skills (methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities)
Section A – Diversity and change
One question from a choice of two:
either: an evaluative essay on language diversity
or: an evaluative essay on language change
Section B – Language discourses
Two texts about a topic linked to the study of diversity and change.
· question requiring analysis of how the texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions
· A directed writing task linked to the same topic and the ideas in the texts
Non-exam assessment (coursework): Language in action
Word count: 3,500; 20% of A-level assessed by teachers moderated by AQA
What's assessed?
· Language investigation
· Original writing
· Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Tasks
Students produce:
1. A language investigation (2,000 words excluding data)
2. A piece of original writing and commentary (1,500 words total)
