There are very few, if any, areas of our lives that do not involve using language. Studying English Language at A Level will enable you to learn about the structures and functions of the language we use, and to become aware of the social, historical and psychological issues which shape the ways we think, speak and write. Expect something very different from GCSE!

You will learn how to analyse spoken and written language; discuss and analyse how conversation works; investigate the mysterious processes through which children learn to talk; and learn about the relationship between the language we use and our social values. You will engage with debates about English Language and learn about
how and why the English Language has changed over centuries.

You will discuss questions such as: why do many people dislike the Brummie accent, but love to hear a Geordie speak? Could the English Language die out in the next few hundred years? How has the internet changed language use? Do men and women speak the same language? You will also have the opportunity to investigate aspects of language independently in your coursework, as well as to produce some creative writing.

The A Level is assessed by two external exams which will require you to analyse unseen texts, test your knowledge of spoken and written language, evaluate theories and debates and write an article on attitudes to language variation and change. There are two pieces of coursework, one analytical and one creative.

Many students go on to study English Language related courses such as Linguistics or Communication Studies at university. English Language is a subject that goes well with almost any area of study, so students have also gone on to courses in English Literature, Law, Business, Performing Arts, Psychology, Forensics and many others. English Language is also a very useful qualification for anybody wishing to go into primary teaching, speech therapy or journalism.