English Language

Course summary

Language, the Individual and Society (Exam, 40%) • Children’s language development • How different subjects and ideas are represented differently • Methods of language analysis, such as semantics, grammar, discourse, lexical choices and phonology Language Diversity and Change (Exam, 40%) • How and why language changes • Why there are so many varieties of English •Attitudes to different types of English • Language change over time and the origins of English Language in Action (Coursework, 20%) Students complete two tasks to show their understanding of the different uses of English. Firstly, students complete a 2,000 word investigation into an area of language that interests them. Previous studies have included: • Representations of different individuals, social groups or nationalities • Regional dialect • Gendered talk • The language of new communication technologies • Children’s language use • Norms and variations in usages of different kinds • The language of the media • Code switching and mixing between English and other languages • The language of different occupations or pastimes • Historical changes in English over time. Students will then produce one piece of original writing based on one of the following three areas: • The power of persuasion • The power of storytelling • The power of information And one accompanying commentary.