English Language

Course summary

Has studying GCSE English sparked an interest in the history of the English language and its use and impact in everyday life? Have you ever wondered about where certain words or their meanings originated from and why we use them today? English Language A Level offers students the opportunity to engage critically and creatively with a wide range of nonfiction text types in different formats from different eras. Join us in our ever-evolving and deepening passion for analysing language as representative of our world, and how we as a society shape its meaning and value. We work closely in small, seminar-style groups Lessons are led by your interpretations of texts and contextual knowledge followed by regular timed assessments to help prepare for the required exam rigour. We encourage research, reflection and debate as central methods for the academic investigation of how we, and others, use the English language in everyday life. Extract selections are subject to change depending on teachers’/students’ interests each year. Topics include: Child Language Development (written and spoken) Texts from various time periods (1600 onwards) and their meaning and representations Texts focusing on diversity and change including spoken language (dialect, accent) Texts exploring the change in language and influencing factors such as gender, class, technology, occupation etc. Forms of texts studied: Letters Blogs Transcripts Newspapers Journals Tweets Autobiographies/Biographies.