| Exam Board | Specification | Title | Head of Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA | 8702 | A Level English Language | Mrs M Whibley |
Introduction
A-level English Language offers opportunities for students to develop their subject expertise by engaging creatively and critically with a wide range of texts and discourses. Students will create texts and reflect critically on their own processes of production, while analysing the texts produced by others. The specification explores the study of English Language both as a medium of communication and as a topic in its own right, with an emphasis on the ability of students to pursue lines of enquiry, debate different views, and work independently to research aspects of language in use. Language is seen as a creative tool for expression and social connection, as well as for individual cognition. The study of language as a symbolic system used to assert power in society is also fundamental to the scope of this specification.
The methods of analysis appropriate to the fields of English language/linguistics underpin all the elements of this specification, and these are applied to distinctive topic areas. This means that, for teaching purposes, there is a common core that all teachers and students need to understand but also discrete areas so that you can teach to your own specialisms and interests. There is also scope for students to pursue their own independent lines of enquiry and topics for writing, with support from their teachers, in the non-exam assessment.
The topics and titles of the subject content reflect a possible trajectory through the course, with ‘Language, the Individual and Society’ focusing on individual and immediate social contexts for language, and ‘Language Diversity and Change’ working outwards to consider larger-scale public discourses about change and variety, drawing on regional, ethnic, national and global Englishes. However, it would be just as viable to start with the bigger questions about language use in ‘Language Diversity and Change’ and end closer to home in ‘Language, the Individual and Society’. Both of these represent valid teaching methods, and the chosen route will depend on teacher or student preferences and abilities.
Aims of the Course
Students are encouraged to develop their interest in and enjoyment of English as they:
- Develop and apply their understanding of concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language
- Explore data and examples of language in use
- Engage creatively and critically with a varied programme for the study of English
- Develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language
Assessment
Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society
What’s assessed
- Textual variations and representations
- Children’s language development (0-11 years)
- Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 100 marks
- 40% of A-level
Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change
What’s assessed
- Language diversity and change
- Language discourses
- Writing skills
- Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 100 marks
- 40% of A-level
Non-examination Assessment: Language in Action
What’s assessed
- Language Investigation
- Original Writing
- Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- Word count: 3,500
- 100 marks
- 20% of A-level
- Assessed by teachers
- Moderated by AQA
Next Steps
Careers English Language students are introduced to the concepts and disciplines of English Language/ Linguistics in relation to a wide range of spoken and written forms, providing the opportunity to hone their skills of interrogating data, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, synthesis and reflection, and their own creative writing. These skills are invaluable for a vast range of career paths such as: Journalism, Law Investigations in the Police/the Military, Advertising, PR, HR, Teaching and Politics.