Having a multiplicity of uses, studying A Level English Language and Literature develops you as an independent, confident and reflective reader, while developing your skills of analysis and fostering creativity in your own writing.
We follow the AQA specification.
“The course really opens your mind to diverse interpretations of talk in both real life and in text, giving you a new and fuller perspective on the book you read, the advertising you see and even in the way you speak to those around you.”
Hear from our Head of A Level English Language and Literature – video coming soon!
Mr Clark
Head of English Language and Literature
Students with an A Level in English Language and Literature have entered careers in journalism, the media, advertising, education, medicine and more. English Language and Literature has long been a popular course at the College studied by scientists, mathematicians and linguists alike. It offers a more technical approach to the study of English and therefore appeals to a wide range of students. At the start of the course, you will learn the ‘nuts and bolts’ of linguistic analysis so that you can apply these skills to all parts of the course.
Paper 1
You will learn about how and why stories of different kinds are told, evaluate how stories are told by drawing on knowledge of language and consider why stories are worth telling, or are valuable within society.
You will study a range of text types based on the themes of: Remembered Places – the representation of place (Paris Anthology); Imagined Worlds – the point of view and genre in prose (novel); Poetic Voices – the forms and functions of poetic voice (selection of one poet’s work).
Paper 2
Section A of this paper focuses on how language choices help construct ideas of conflict between people and between people and their societies.
Drawing on your knowledge of the text studied, you will produce re-creative work that centres on a previously absent or underplayed perspective in the original work (recasting characters). You will write a commentary which will evaluate your own work for linguistic and literary choices and their intended effect. In Section B you will study a play and focus on conflict within drama.
Assessment
There are two exam papers of 3 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes, plus a non-exam assessment.
Paper 1 makes up 40% of the A Level and assesses Remembered places, Imagined worlds and Poetic voices. Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities. It contains one compulsory question on the AQA Anthology: Paris (closed book), one question from a choice of two on your prose set text (open book) and one question from a choice of two on your poetry set text (open book).
Paper 2 makes up 40% of the A Level and assesses Writing about society, Critical commentary and Dramatic encounters. Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities. It contains one piece of re-creative writing using your set text and critical commentary (open book) and one question from a choice of two on your drama set text (open book).
The non-exam assessment involves a personal investigation that explores a specific technique or theme in both literary and non-literary discourse in the form of a 2,500-3,000 word essay. It makes up 20% of the A Level.
Entry Requirements
Minimum 66555 including 6 in English Language.
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