English Language, A Level

Students should ensure that they meet the entry requirements for the courses they are applying for (available on subject pages) as well as the overall entry requirements (5 grades at level 4 or above but must include English and Maths).

Students need to choose a minimum of three subjects to study, with a maximum of one subject per option block. Please note that all of our BTEC courses are single BTEC's and equivalent to 1 A Level, you will need to choose two further subjects if choosing a BTEC course.

Please ensure you have put contact details for yourself and a parent should we need to contact you.

Why do people say things like “allow it” or “slay”? Why are some accents admired while others are mocked? How do children learn to read?

If you're curious about how language really works—and how it shapes identity, culture, and power—A Level English Language might be for you.

This course is ideal for students who enjoy thinking critically, asking big questions, and analysing the world around them. You’ll explore how language reflects and challenges social attitudes, and why the way we speak can carry more influence than we realise. There are no set texts: instead, you’ll engage with a wide range of real-world material, from political speeches and newspapers to TikToks, food blogs, adverts and everyday conversation.

We explore real-life language in context. This includes how different social groups are represented in the media, and what those representations tell us about society’s values.

You’ll also study how children learn to speak, read and write, and consider how education and culture influence their development.

We engage with current, exciting research in areas such as:

• Language variation and social identity
• Attitudes to regional accents (including in Sheffield)
• Language change (e.g. slang, new dialects, digital communication)
• Child language acquisition
• Power, bias and persuasion in public texts
• How English has evolved—and where it’s heading

You’ll develop a range of essential skills including:

• Writing for non-specialist audiences
• Constructing persuasive, discursive essays
• Analysing real linguistic data
• Applying theories to practical examples

You’ll sit two exam papers at the end of Year 13 (worth 80% of the grade).

You’ll also complete a coursework component (worth 20%) that includes:

• An independent language investigation (e.g. how politicians use language, how gender influences Instagram captions, or how children with autism communicate)
• A piece of original writing (e.g. a blog post, opinion article, or podcast script)

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language
• Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Literature

You need to be predicted and achieve all the grades listed above in order to undertake this subject.

English Language A Level is highly regarded by universities and employers. It supports a wide range of degrees and career paths, including:

• Law
• Journalism
• English Language or Linguistics
• Sports Journalism
• Teaching
• Marketing, PR, and Media
• Health-related courses such as nursing, midwifery and medicine, where strong communication and analytical skills are essential

This course builds confident, thoughtful communicators with the critical thinking skills to succeed in any field.