AS/A2 English Language AS/A2 English Literature AS/A2 Combined English 2013 Entry
English
1987-2012
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The English department offers a full range of courses which allow you to develop your own specific enthusiasms and ideas25 Years
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Opportunities for group discussions and debates
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A lively subject which will challenge your views and make you see things differently
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Challenging subjects which are excellent preparation for university and your future career
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English students have gone on to a wide variety of careers including journalism, sales, teaching, management, administration, information management, publishing and careers in the public services
of inspiring individuals
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Sophie’s Perspective Studying at Carmel offered me the opportunity not only to work in a modern environment, but also with supportive tutors and good IT facilities and resources. In English Language I enjoy analysing texts, in particular the older 1960’s Audrey Hepburn interview I selected for the speech investigation coursework. After Carmel I hope to study English at university and pursue a career in journalism.
AS/A2 English Language Exam Board WJEC 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 from famous biographies to personal letters. 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 texts in depth. You will also learn about the differences between speech and writing. 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 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. You will analyse transcripts from broadcasting including television and radio. The study of how children acquire speech will also be covered. In coursework modules, you will also develop your writing and research skills. There is the opportunity to pursue your own interests which could include travel writing, a review or any aspect of Journalism. 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.
Sophie Burton Knowsley Park Centre for Learning Studying: English Language, English Literature, Spanish, Politics
Making a point in the Debating Society.
Where does an English course lead? English subjects are challenging, but are an excellent preparation both for university and your future career.
Meet the Tutors Mark McGrath Head of English Language Daniel Bryant Head of English Literature Janet Gater Head of Faculty Head of Combined English
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 tutor. 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
Lewis’ Perspective
Exam Board AQA What will the course involve? If you enjoy reading, thinking and analysing, then English Literature is a great choice. This course provides you with the opportunity to read a range of texts from different periods. In the first year you will explore two novels and the selected work of two poets, evaluating and interpreting how writers use narrative techniques such as characterisation or voice to engage their audiences and convey contextual aspects such as social corruption. Coursework is a large element of the course encompassing 40% of the AS year. For this you will study two plays investigating how playwrights create comedy dramas. Within this there will be the option to try your hand at some creative writing, producing your own dramatic monologue in character.
Literature you will develop excellent skills of independent interpretation and analysis, beneficial to further academic study. How will I be assessed? English Literature is assessed through coursework (worth 40%) and external examination (worth 60%) at both AS and A2 Level.
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If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
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Oscar Wilde
The second year is centred on exploring elements of the gothic in literature. Once more you will have the opportunity to study a range of interesting texts and you will also learn to consider and interpret texts from differing critical perspectives. In lessons there is a strong focus on whole class, pair and group discussion where your own ideas will be welcomed and valued. Through the study of English
Carmel College is a fantastic community to be involved in, as it offers a lot more freedom than my previous school, but at the same time constantly supplies us with challenging work that prompts us to achieve and exceed our predicted target grade. My English Literature lessons are always well prepared and are constantly increasing my knowledge of writing and the lessons are kept fun and enjoyable by our tutor. I also enjoy English Literature as it allows you to explore writing in much more depth than it did at GCSE, as well as allowing personal interpretation and analysis of the texts, sharing ideas in group discussions. I am considering doing English at university but am not sure, so will be attending many open days; Carmel offers a lot of help and advice for students who are yet to make their mind up about their future career, like me.
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, study days on specific examination modules, workshops on creative writing, 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 Literature Film Club.
Lewis Gibson Sutton High Sports College Studying: English Literature, Maths, Business and Psychology
Meet the Tutors Elaine Peet Heather Mockford Paul Mullen Fiona Salt
Lauren’s Perspective I really enjoy English Combined because it gives me the opportunity to study all the aspects of English I enjoy. The course allows for a lot of creative work as well as developing your analytical skills and exam technique. The tutors are approachable, friendly and you can tell they really care about you and how you’re coping with the subject. My highlight of the course so far has been the trip to see ‘Scary Stories’ at the Manchester Royal Exchange - we watched a series of monologues and, not only was it entertaining, it really helped me when I had to write my own monologue for coursework. I plan to continue English through to university and hope to pursue a career in Creative Writing.
AS/A2 Combined English Exam Board EDEXCEL What will the course involve?
How will I be assessed?
This is a popular course that links the skills of both English Language and English Literature study. It will appeal to students who have enjoyed both aspects at GCSE and wish to continue a broader and more in-depth approach. In your first year you will explore ‘voice’ in both speech and writing, focusing on a range of short literary and non-literary texts. You will also study ‘Address Unknown’ by Kressman Taylor; written on the eve of the Holocaust as a series of letters between an American Jew and his German friend. Combined English also has a coursework unit that involves using wider reading as a stimulus for creative writing.
Combined English is assessed through coursework (worth 40%) and external examination (worth 60%) at both AS and A2 Level.
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In the second year there will be the opportunity to continue this creative approach to writing, using Ernesto Che Guevara’s ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ as a stimulus for creative writing that explores a ‘Crossing Boundaries’ theme. You will also read drama texts from a range of periods and further your understanding and enjoyment of a range of genres.
Reading a book is like rewriting yourself.
Angela Carter
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Combined English students enjoyed a theatre trip to see All My Sons.
Frequently Asked Questions How successful are Carmel’s English students? Carmel’s English students achieve consistently high results across all three subjects: Exam Results
2010 2011 2012
Lauren Brown Cansfield High School
English Language
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Studying: English Combined, Law, Performance Studies, Biology
English Literature
100% 98%
100% 100% 100%
Combined English
100% 98%
100% 100% 100% 100%
More Information
What are the entry requirements for these courses?
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
A2
AS
A2
AS
A2
AS 99%
For all AS English subjects you will need a grade B in GCSE English Language and a grade B in GCSE English Literature (if studied). 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.