English Language

Course summary

The course covers topics such as how we acquire it from birth, how it varies according to factors like accent, gender, and ethnicity, and how and why English has become a global language. If you are interested in why people talk and write like they do, or are curious about the social and historical contexts in which texts are produced, you will enjoy studying English Language. The first year of the course will provide a varied introduction to English Language studies. You will explore different genres of texts in a variety of modes (spoken, written, and computer-mediated ones such as blogs, forums, and websites) to consider some of the wider social issues related to how we use English in certain ways. You will also have the opportunity to write creatively to persuade, tell stories to, or inform your chosen audience, in addition to reflecting on your work critically. The second year focuses on studying changes to the English language over time, how English has become an important global language, and how we learn to read and write. You will analyze real examples of language in use, conduct mini-investigations, and research projects, and evaluate different points of view proposed by linguists. You will also investigate an aspect of language related to your interests whether that is the language of football commentaries or the changing representation of women in advertising. Students who take A-level English Language tend also to study a broad range of arts and social science subjects, but links to Media Studies, Communication Studies, Law, Psychology, Sociology, and English Literature are common. Consequently, students who take this combination of A-levels may end up pursuing a degree in Language (or related disciplines, like Linguistics), more general English Studies degrees, Education/Childhood Studies, and, beyond that, a wide range of arts and social science-based degree courses. Career in education, advertising, journalism, the performing and creative arts, administration, and management are common.