English Language

Why study English Language?

This two-year course offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history, mechanics, and scope of the English Language. You will learn about how our language has changed over time; how different social groups, genders, regions and ethnic groups use language, and how children learn to speak and write. The foundation of the course, known as your ‘Linguistic Toolkit’, is taught in the first year so that you have a method for analysing a wide variety of spoken, written and digital communication. In the second year of the course, you have a chance to generate your own data and carry out an independent Language Investigation.

Will I enjoy it?

Just as our language is continually changing, so is the course content, making it a really dynamic and exciting subject to study. The flexibility allowed by the coursework component also makes it very enjoyable - for example, you could choose to investigate speech patterns across genders; how social media has changed language or what makes for successful political rhetoric. Pupils in the past have also looked at the language of different occupations, sports, and other English speaking countries.

What else should I consider?

You will be taught how to produce your own fiction and non-fiction writing so it suits those looking for careers in journalism or keen writers, as well those who seek careers in PR or marketing. It will also equip you with key workplace skills, improving your written and spoken communication and giving you an understanding of how we use and manipulate language in a range of different contexts and situations.

Subjects to combine with English:

This is an A Level which has been in existence since the 1980s and is widely taught now in sixth form colleges and schools as an alternative to Literature or in addition to it. English Language can be taken alongside any other subject, but it combines especially well with Psychology, Sociology, Modern Foreign Languages, Classics and English Literature.

Assessment

Examination board: AQA Specification Code: 7702

Who can give me more information? Mrs Troup

l.troup@sherborne.com