It is very common to be fascinated by language. Maybe you listen with particular interest when you come across an accent that is different from your own, or you might have a young child in your family learning to talk before your very eyes (and ears); or perhaps you are intrigued by the way new words seem to appear every week – or even by the unique histories of older words. You will be familiar with the skills of textual analysis from your GCSE work, and this remains a fundamental part of the A Level Language experience. However, you will find this analysis becomes much more sophisticated, and you will extend your analysis across the spectrum of word classes. One of the newest experiences on offer in studying English at A Level is the way that language can be treated as a science. You will debate the research of linguists trying to find the truths at the heart of the many conundrums that the English language, and its many variations, poses. We offer a very wide range of extra-curricular activities. Lit Soc meets weekly for talks and discussions on a range of linguistic and literary topics, led by girls and teachers. Sixth Form Reading Group meets once every half term to discuss a range of contemporary novels in an informal setting, with coffee and cake. Debating Club is one of the most popular activities in the school, running a House competition within the school, and also training girls for several external competitions.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
Examination (80%) You will sit two examinations at the end of the course. The examination units will focus on individual and immediate social contexts for language and theories about language change and variety, drawing on regional, ethnic, national and global English. Another examination unit is the study of language acquisition which will help you to grasp some of the fundamentals of how children rapidly develop from pre-verbal babbling to fluent, subtle and creative communication in the space of a few short years. After understanding some of the main approaches adopted by researchers, you will also tackle the wider issues of literacy and how reading and writing are mastered by children. Non-Examined Assessment (20%) The importance of original writing has been retained at A Level. Your first piece of writing will be a piece of original writing with a commentary. The commentary is the opportunity for you to reflect, explore your style and analyse your writing. In addition to this, you will also complete a language investigation. Taking any area of language that you are interested in as a starting point, you’ll be able to ask your questions, formulate your methodology and collect your data. You will then analyse this, looking for patterns. Both of these pieces will make up your NEA folder. You will be expected to participate fully in lessons, discussing observations and ideas with your classmates. You will need to have an analytical mind, thinking carefully about the details of language use.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Hammersmith and Fulham |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £26,831 |
| Address | Iffley Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0PG |
It is very common to be fascinated by language. Maybe you listen with particular interest when you come across an accent that is different from your own, or you might have a young child in your family learning to talk before your very eyes (and ears); or perhaps you are intrigued by the way new words seem to appear every week – or even by the unique histories of older words. You will be familiar with the skills of textual analysis from your GCSE work, and this remains a fundamental part of the A Level Language experience. However, you will find this analysis becomes much more sophisticated, and you will extend your analysis across the spectrum of word classes. One of the newest experiences on offer in studying English at A Level is the way that language can be treated as a science. You will debate the research of linguists trying to find the truths at the heart of the many conundrums that the English language, and its many variations, poses. We offer a very wide range of extra-curricular activities. Lit Soc meets weekly for talks and discussions on a range of linguistic and literary topics, led by girls and teachers. Sixth Form Reading Group meets once every half term to discuss a range of contemporary novels in an informal setting, with coffee and cake. Debating Club is one of the most popular activities in the school, running a House competition within the school, and also training girls for several external competitions.
For popular courses such as Economics, English Literature, History, Medicine, or Psychology, all of the competitive universities require at least grade AAA at A Level or, usually, a score of 37-39 IB points; the most competitive require A*AA (or even occasionally A*A*A) or 7 points in one or more HL subject. Universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Imperial, Manchester, UCL and Warwick may also require A*AA or 7 points in an HL subject for courses in Sciences, Engineering or Mathematics; a few of these courses will require IB students to have 7 points in a specific HL Science or Mathematics and A Level students to have A* in a specific Science or Mathematics. Cambridge currently requires a minimum of A Level grades of A*AA for all Arts courses and for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, and A*A*A for all Science courses, Computer Science and Economics. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 40-42 points, including 776 in the three Higher Level subjects. In practice, however, higher (or lower) offers are sometimes made to both A Level and IB students; these are decided on an individual basis. Oxford currently requires A Level grades of AAA for all Arts courses and for Human Sciences, A*AA for most Science courses, Economics and Management, Geography, and Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics, and A*A*A for Chemistry, Engineering and Mathematics courses. Irrespective of course, the standard IB requirement is 38-40 points with 666-776 in the three Higher Level subjects. Unlike at Cambridge, these entry requirements are standardised across the university and are rarely raised or lowered.
Examination (80%) You will sit two examinations at the end of the course. The examination units will focus on individual and immediate social contexts for language and theories about language change and variety, drawing on regional, ethnic, national and global English. Another examination unit is the study of language acquisition which will help you to grasp some of the fundamentals of how children rapidly develop from pre-verbal babbling to fluent, subtle and creative communication in the space of a few short years. After understanding some of the main approaches adopted by researchers, you will also tackle the wider issues of literacy and how reading and writing are mastered by children. Non-Examined Assessment (20%) The importance of original writing has been retained at A Level. Your first piece of writing will be a piece of original writing with a commentary. The commentary is the opportunity for you to reflect, explore your style and analyse your writing. In addition to this, you will also complete a language investigation. Taking any area of language that you are interested in as a starting point, you’ll be able to ask your questions, formulate your methodology and collect your data. You will then analyse this, looking for patterns. Both of these pieces will make up your NEA folder. You will be expected to participate fully in lessons, discussing observations and ideas with your classmates. You will need to have an analytical mind, thinking carefully about the details of language use.
