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Why should I take

A Level English Language?

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It’s new & interesting!

  • You’ll never have studied anything like it before.
  • It’s nothing like GCSE English Language.
  • It will challenge you to look at the world around you and analyse it in new and interesting ways.
  • It is an ever-changing subject, with new topics and research emerging all the time.
  • You’re living it!

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It encourages you to ask big questions.

  • How is technology impacting our language use?
  • How does language link to ideas about society, gender, sexuality, power and occupation?
  • Does accent matter?
  • Do men and women communicate differently?
  • How do children learn how to speak?
  • How and why has our language changed over time?

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It helps you to develop transferable skills.

  • Written and verbal communication;
  • Organisation Skills and managing deadlines;
  • Critical thinking;
  • Developing and supporting a line of argument;
  • Independent research;
  • Debate;
  • Engagement with and awareness of social issues and the wider world.

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It works well with a lot of other subjects and career paths

  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • English Literature
  • History
  • Child Development�
  • Careers in:
    • Journalism
    • Teaching & Education
    • Working in Childcare
    • Careers in publishing and editing
    • Marketing & Media

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How will I be assessed?

80% Examination

  • Two exams, each 2h 30m long
  • Paper 1: Variations in written texts and how they use language� Child Language Acquisition
  • Paper 2: Language Diversity & Change� Writing

20% Coursework

  • Language Investigation
  • Original Writing

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A Level English Language might be for you if…

  • You love a good debate;
  • You are interested in (or would like to become more interested in) social issues and debates;
  • You like to have an element of choice in what you study;
  • You love the discussion and close analysis elements of English (even if you don’t read a lot!)