English Language

Course summary

This course is concerned with all aspects of language use within various social contexts. Students will be expected to have an interest in language and how it operates within society. During the course students will analyse a range of texts, including spoken and electronic data. Students will be expected to carry out their own research into language use, as well as investigating the ideas of other researchers. A willingness to question and challenge preconceived notions of language use is essential. Students will explore how language varies depending on mode, field, function and audience, plus how language choices can create personal identities and language variation in English from 1550 to the present day. Students will also explore spoken language acquisition and how children learn to write between the ages 0-8 and the relationship between spoken language acquisition and literacy skills that children are taught, including the beginnings of reading. Relevant theories of children's language development will also be explored. Finally Students will research a selected genre, will demonstrate their skills as writers within their selected drama, crafting texts for different audiences and / or purposes and will reflect on their research and writing in an accompanying commentary.