Carmel College English Course Information

english

AS/A2 English Language AS/A2 English Literature AS/A2 Combined English

Why choose English at Carmel?

English is one of the largest departments in the college offering a full range of courses which will allow you to develop your own specific enthusiasms and ideas. If you enjoy argument and discussion, it is invaluable in offering opportunities for engagement and debate. English is a lively subject which will challenge your views, make you see things differently and possibly even change your life!

AS/A2 English Language EXAM BOARD: WJEC

meet the students BETH KELLY Broadgreen

Studying: English Language, English Literature, Philosophy and Religion The college environment at Carmel allows me to be more independent in my approach to learning. Everyone is really friendly here and the staff are very supportive. What I like about studying English Language is that it allows me to be both creative and analytical. It has also provided me with many different career prospects and opportunities in higher education. When I leave Carmel I am going to study Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

meet the tutors VICTORIA MARKS Head of English Language

ELAINE PEET English Tutor

MARK MCGRATH English Tutor

HEATHER MOCKFORD English Tutor

WHAT WILL THE COURSE INVOLVE? English Language is a popular A Level appealing to students because it examines texts in the real world such as adverts and newspaper articles. In the AS year, you will learn how to analyse language exploring a range of texts such as biographies, letters, adverts, journalism, speeches, leaflets, diaries and advice and guidance writing.

The emphasis is on understanding how and why language is used in specific ways and developing knowledge of key frameworks which will help you discuss the texts in depth. You will also learn about the differences between speech and writing.

In your coursework aspects, you will also develop your writing and research skills.

There is opportunity to pursue your own specific interest including creative writing such as an article for Marie Claire or Men’s Health.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? In both AS and A2 years you will sit one exam (worth 60%) and hand in a folder of coursework (worth 40%). Students will be expected to complete drafts of their coursework to ensure that only their best work is presented for assessment.

The AS year will help you develop as a writer, practising genres such as monologues, where you will create a fictional “voice.” You will also learn to comment on your own work and explain your linguistic choices.

At A2, you will continue to develop your understanding of key frameworks as well as studying the development of the English Language over time. This topic covers historical, social and cultural aspects as well as examining current attitudes towards the effects of new technology (text and email) and English becoming a global language. There is more focus on spoken language and the gender, power and conversational theories associated with this topic. You will also learn how children acquire speech.

Making a point in the Debating Society.

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Where does an English course lead?

English subjects are challenging, but are an excellent preparation both for university and your future career.

Obvious careers include journalism, sales, teaching, management, administration, information management, publishing and careers in the public services.

What support will I receive?

All staff in the department are there to enable you to achieve the best grades possible and you can ask for help from any tutor. This is in addition to regular individual interviews with your own specific teacher. Additional revision classes are held for all re-sits and we take pride in the level of support given to our students.

AS/A2 English Literature

EXAM BOARD: AQA

WHAT WILL THE COURSE INVOLVE? • “The Great Gatsby is a sordid tale of deception, adultery and murder.” How do you respond to this view of the novel?

• Write about the importance of places in the telling of the narratives in three of the texts you have studied.

These are the kinds of questions that this course will equip you to answer, and year after year our students produce fascinating responses. English Literature is a challenging course that will definitely stretch your mind and widen your views, with a central focus on comparing the ways in which different stories are told.

As the focus of the course is reading literary texts of different genres and periods, a desire to read and explore ideas is essential. Lessons involve a variety of activities, but will always be challenging and enjoyable providing you are committed to your studies.

There will be time spent on whole class and group discussion of ideas, attitudes, and techniques in poems, plays, and novels, where your own ideas will be valued. As well as taking an active part in lessons we expect students to undertake independent reading and research in order to develop their thinking and study skills. This is excellent preparation for university study.

meet the students

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? English Literature is assessed through coursework (worth 40%) and external examination (worth 60%) at both AS and A2 Level.

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure” Samuel Johnston

A2 Literature students enjoyed watching The Canterbury Tales.

What is the English Department like?

There are seven tutors in the English Department all of whom teach the whole range of courses. There is an excellent library containing both traditional texts, but also the very best of contemporary writing. The Department has a ‘book of the month’ programme giving students the opportunity to enjoy the latest publications. We have comprehensive IT facilities in the college and the English Department subscribes to a range of magazines and on-line resources such as Pro-Quest and the Oxford English Dictionary.

What other activities do English students get involved in?

The English Department offers the opportunity to be involved in theatre visits, trips to places of literary interest such as Howarth, study days on specific examination modules, workshops at Carmel on creative writing and examination preparation delivered by Senior Examiners and conferences on English Language. You can also, through Enrichment, be involved in debating, personal creative writing, and the Classic Film Club.

JESSICA RAWLINSON Wade Deacon

Studying: English Literature, English Language, History, Mathematics, Critical Thinking In English Literature I like studying a wide range of poetry from different time periods, looking at their historical relevance and how the poets adopt this style of writing. At Carmel there’s a really nice atmosphere and I always feel comfortable asking for help if I need it. There are also great facilities and lots of opportunities available to each student, depending on their own individual needs. After Carmel I am hoping to either study English at Liverpool University or do a degree in Primary Education with an English specialism.

meet the tutors JANET GATER Head of English Literature and Combined English

JUDITH VALE English Tutor

LORRAINE DEVEREUX English Tutor

HEATHER MOCKFORD English Tutor

AS/A2 Combined English EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

meet the students BEN SAYAH Rainford High

Studying: Combined English, French, Maths, Music

I enjoy Combined English because it encourages me to think for myself as well as helping me to understand and appreciate more books. There are also opportunities to go on trips to the theatre with the English department which are really helpful for exams. Carmel is a great place to study as you are treated like an adult and there’s lots of freedom.

Also, the tutors are really dedicated to helping the students.

WHAT WILL THE COURSE INVOLVE?

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? Combined English is assessed through coursework (worth 40%) and external examination (worth 60%) at both AS and A2 Level.

This course links the skills of both English Language and English Literature study. It will appeal to students who have enjoyed both aspects of GCSE and who wish to continue a broader and more indepth approach. In your first year you will explore voice in both speech and writing.

You will look at a range of short literary and non-literary texts and will also focus on a modern selection of short stories by Angela Carter. You will discuss a drama text and a piece of prose and use these as a stimulus for creative coursework.

“READING A BOOK IS LIKE RE-WRITING YOURSELF” Angela Carter

In the second year, there will be the opportunity to work on a more creative approach to writing, read drama texts from a range of periods and further your understanding and enjoyment of a range of genres.

Combined English students enjoyed a theatre trip to see All My Sons.

As with the other English courses, there is a strong focus on group work and individual response. Combined English students develop a confident and well informed understanding of language and literature which is of benefit to them in their future studies.

How successful are Carmel’s English students?

more information The Exam Board websites contain details of the full course specifications: English Language:

www.wjec.co.uk English Literature:

www.aqa.org.uk Combined English:

www.edexcel.com

Carmel’s English students achieve consistently high results across all three subjects:

EXAM RESULTS

2008 A2

AS

2009 A2

AS

2010 A2

AS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

100%

99% 100% 100%

100% 100%

ENGLISH LITERATURE

100%

97% 100%

99%

100%

98%

COMBINED ENGLISH

100%

100% 100% 100%

100%

98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything I should consider when choosing which English subject to take?

Students who know which specific English degree they are going to pursue should take the same A Level course.

Students who are applying to Oxbridge or prestigious universities should check with the university's admissions team to see which English course is preferred as some prefer Literature.