English A Levels

Have you ever wondered why we speak the way we do? Do you wonder why some people say ‘daps’ while others say ‘pumps’ and whether it’s a ‘ginnel’ or a ‘gennel’ and why some play ‘forty forty’ while others play ‘tiggy one two three’ and yet more play ‘one two three dun ya’ but it’s actually the same game? Have you ever wondered how we learn to speak at all? Or why we speak in different ways depending on our circumstances? Do you think males and females use language differently? What evidence do you have for this and is it reliable? Do you think language itself treats males and females differently? Why do words change their meanings and how? Or why do we have the words we do at all? How can we tell we are listening to commentary of a football match rather than a weather forecast? Do you look at leaflets, advertisements and websites and wonder why they are written and presented as they are? Do you enjoy writing creatively in a range of different genres?

If you find any of those questions interesting and think you would enjoy finding out the answers and trying out different forms of writing, then this is the course for you. The content of this excellent A Level course should truly transform the way you think about human interaction. Your understanding of how language is used, and your own ability to communicate effectively in speaking and writing, will be extended and developed.

We aim to answer many of the questions above by engaging with language use in an analytical, almost scientific way, so you will need to grasp new concepts and the terminology with which to discuss them. This can be tricky and does require lots of hard work.

If you choose to study English Language here's what to expect:

Lots of CLOSE READING AND ANALYSIS - Though there is no work on set books, you will spend a lot of time analysing texts in detail. “Texts” might include: adverts; transcripts of real speech; magazine articles; websites - even cartoon strips! You have met these skills at GCSE, but A-level English Language is significantly more demanding, with a lot of detailed study into how language works - including a strong focus on grammar and phonetics. You will also study a good deal of research that has been done on different aspects of language development both in individuals and wider social groups.

These topics can be fascinating so lots of DISCUSSION happens in lessons. You will be expected to have something to contribute to every lesson, on a whole range of language issues.

Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society Exam: 2 hours 30 minutes; 40% of A-level

For this exam you will study textual variations and representations as well as children's language development (0-11 years). You will study a range of texts about various subjects, from various writers and speakers, for various audiences and for various purposes. Texts can be written, spoken and electronic.

Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change Exam: 2 hours 30 minutes; 40% of A-level

For this part of the course you will explore language in its wider social and geographical contexts, in particular the varieties of English within the British Isles. As well as study of dialects and responses to them, you will also explore how social status, occupation and gender affect language use. You will study a very wide variety of texts as well as conversation analysis and you will be developing an objective, analytical approach throughout the course. You will also study how language changes and develops over time.

Unit 3: Non-exam assessment (NEA) on ‘Language in Action’

This consists of two coursework tasks. One is an investigation into a particular area of language of your own choosing and the other is a piece of original writing and commentary. This is worth 20% of the final mark.

Academically, it is expected that students entering Birkdale’s Sixth Form will have achieved a minimum of 5 passes (9 to 5) at GCSE, with at least 4 at grade 6 or higher; we would expect 6 or higher GCSE grades in those subjects being studied to A level. A grade 6 is required to study A Level English and Mathematics, although a grade 7 is preferred in Mathematics. Prospective Further Mathematicians should achieve a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics although a grade 8 is preferred. In addition at Birkdale we look beyond the academic and would wish applicants to become fully involved in the life of the school, offering their skills and abilities in one or more of a number of areas (e.g. drama, sport, music, clubs and societies, etc).