English Language A-Level

Course summary

With exciting text- and data-based sources of language, the specifications introduce the study of English in its various forms and contexts, with the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis of language underpinning all elements of the course. Offering clear skills progression from GCSE, these courses allow students to build on the skills already gained and prepare for their next steps. The variety of assessment styles used, such as data analysis, discursive essays, directed writing, original writing and research-based investigative writing, allows students to develop a wide range of skills. These include critical reading, data analysis, evaluation, the ability to develop and sustain arguments and a number of different writing skills which are invaluable for both further study and future employment. Course Details Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society What's assessed Textual variations and representations Children's language development (0-11 years) Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities Assessed written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes 100 marks 40% of A-level Questions Section A - Textual Variations and Representations Two texts (one contemporary and one older text) linked by topic or theme. A question requiring analysis of one text (25 marks) A question requiring analysis of a second text (25 marks) A question requiring comparison of the two texts (20 marks) Section B - Children's Language Development A discursive essay on children’s language development, with a choice of two questions where the data provided will focus on spoken, written or multimodal language (30 marks) Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change What's assessed Language diversity and change Language discourses Writing skills Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities Assessed written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes 100 marks 40% of A-level Questions Section A - Diversity and Change One question from a choice of two: Either: an evaluative essay on language diversity (30 marks) Or: an evaluative essay on language change (30 marks) Section B - Language Discourses Two texts about a topic linked to the study of diversity and change. A question requiring analysis of how the texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions (40 marks) A directed writing task linked to the same topic and the ideas in the texts (30 marks) Non-exam assessment: Language in Action What's assessed Language Investigation Original Writing Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities Assessed Word count: 3,500 100 marks 20% of A-level Assessed by teachers Moderated by AQA Tasks Students produce: a language investigation (2,000 words excluding data) a piece of original writing and commentary (1,500 words total)