English Language
STATEMENT OF INTENT FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English students at Charters school will be prepared for and capable of communicating effectively in the modern world in order to achieve success. Through the study of language, students will develop an appreciation for the writer’s craft and the skills required to express oneself clearly. An advanced vocabulary and a broad range of reading skills will further students’ abilities to communicate in a mature, coherent manner whilst appreciating alternative viewpoints and perspectives. The study of literature will further develop students’ analytical skills and also encourage them to appreciate the aesthetic and entertaining qualities of high calibre literary texts.
This means:
- They will be able to communicate effectively and confidently in both written and spoken tasks.
- They will enjoy an environment and culture where reading is encouraged and positively supported.
- They will appreciate a broad range of literature across genre, gender, time and culture.
- They will have a strong grasp of how to use a range of vocabulary to craft academic writing, with technical accuracy.
- They will develop an analytical approach to texts, allowing them to appreciate layers of meanings and the
SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM - ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English Language A Level students at Charters School will develop interest in and enjoyment of the subject through reading widely, critically and independently across centuries, genre and gender. Students will gain an advanced understanding of language study and will develop their own writing style and identity to be able to write for a variety of audiences and purposes. By analysing language through the ages, students will discover how language is used and how it’s changed over time. We will also cover the variations and manipulations that have caused the English Language to evolve over centuries, up to the modern day. As well as covering the broader themes that affect language, students also study the technical and factual elements too. By understanding scientific elements such as phonology, syntax and grammar students enhance their knowledge of linguistics and their writing ability.
COURSE DETAILS
Component 1: ‘Language, the Individual and Society’. This component introduces students to language study, exploring textual variety and children’s language development. This area of study introduces students to methods of language analysis to explore concepts of audience, purpose, genre, mode and representation. It also introduces students to the study of children’s language development, exploring how children learn language and how they are able to understand and express themselves through language. The exam paper is split into two sections:
- Section A - Textual Variations and Representations
- Section B - Children's Language Development
Component 2: ‘Language Diversity and Change’. The aim of this area of study is to allow students to explore language diversity and change over time. Students will study the key concepts of audience, purpose, genre and mode and will explore language in its wider social, geographical and temporal contexts. They will explore processes of language change. This part of the subject content also requires students to study social attitudes to, and debates about, language diversity and change. The exam paper is split into two sections:
- Section A - Diversity and Change
- Section B - Language Discourses
Component 3: Non-exam assessment: ‘Language in Action’. The aim of this area of study is to allow students to explore and analyse language data independently and develop and reflect upon their own writing expertise.
Students produce:
- a language investigation (2,000 words excluding data)
- a piece of original writing and commentary (1,500 words total)
KEY STAGE 5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The minimum entry requirements for Charters Sixth Form can be viewed here
EXAM BOARD: AQA
BE INSPIRED
Take a look around the links below to find out where this exciting subject could lead.
Complementary Subjects
English Language is a unique A Level in that it compliments such a wide range of other subjects, whilst developing vital skills that branch across all areas of study, such as essay writing, data analysis and the understanding and application of theory. More specifically, our module ‘Children’s Language Development’ complements Psychology perfectly as it focusses on human behaviours and how we learn in our younger years. Sociology and Geography link well as we explore social and geographical elements to language diversity and social attitudes in unit 2. If you love History, Language change over time is covered on this course as well as language representation in the Media, therefore working side-by-side with Media Studies A Level perfectly. Coursework requires students to carry out their own language investigation, recording, analysing and evaluating data which will help students with any STEM study at A Level too. Lastly, by focussing on the specific ‘building blocks’ of communication, English Language A Level accompanies study in MFL
Future Opportunities
The future opportunities that are open to you by studying A Level Language are vast and diverse. All future prospects, whether this be Further Education or in the world of work, prize the ‘soft transferable skills’ such as communication, empathy, adaptability but this course will act as a transition for further study -the skills you learn will be invaluable for essay writing, dissertations, report writing and presentations which is vital in any University course no matter what the field of study. Possession of an English A Level is valued in professions such as Media, production, PR, Law, management, teaching, journalism, public relations, librarianship, information management and advertising, to name but a few.
Be Inspired by Exploring Further
BOOKS
A/AS Level English Language for AQA Student Book
This Student Book is suitable for all abilities, providing stretch opportunities for the more able and additional scaffolding for those who need it. Helping bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level, the unique three-part structure provides essential knowledge and allows students to develop their skills through a deeper study of key topics, whilst encouraging independent learning.
PODCAST
A chronological history of the English language examined through the lens of historical events that shaped the development and spread of our language.
TED TALKS
Language isn’t set in stone. It changes all the time -- and in turn, our language changes us.
BLOG
How the English language has changed over the decades
All languages change over time, and there can be many different reasons for this. The English language is no different – but why has it changed over the decades?
NEWS ARTICLE
Why it’s time to stop worrying about the decline of the English language
WEBSITE
Do you use ‘wireless’ to mean ‘radio’ or ‘a form of internet connection without cables’? Discover how words change their meanings across generations.
