A Level English Language & Literature
If you enjoy analysing different types of written and spoken language, then this English Language & Literature A Level course is for you!
- AS LEVEL: You’ll learn to analyse how techniques produce meanings in texts. You’ll study one novel, one poetry collection, and an anthology of spoken and written texts from different contexts. You’ll be assessed in two exams. You’ll make mostly analytical and sometimes creative responses.
- A LEVEL: You’ll revisit all of your AS texts, additionally study one play, and practise analysing unseen texts. You’ll make mostly analytical and sometimes creative responses, in three exams. In addition, you’ll work independently to compare a non-fiction text with a published text of your own choosing (agreed with your teacher); you’ll write a 1,500-2,000-word comparative analysis of these texts in their respective contexts and will produce a 1,000-1,200-word piece of original non-fiction writing.
All students studying A Levels should have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 – 5 in academic subjects, including English Language at grade 5. Two of these should be grade 6. Specifically for English Language and Literature, you will need a grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language AND a grade 5 or above in GCSE English Literature.
AS Language and Literature is assessed by two 90-minute examinations. A Level Language and Literature is assessed by three examinations lasting one or two hours and one Non-Exam Assessment (coursework).
Many A Level English students go on to take the subject at degree level; some choose to follow degrees in Journalism, Creative Writing and Media related courses. A Level English Language and Literature is a very versatile subject to study, and if you are considering going into employment after College, this qualification will demonstrate your ability to communicate at a high level of competency. The study of English is useful for a wide range of careers including the legal profession, teaching, the media, the forces and marketing.
HELEN BARKER
- BA (Hons) English/Politics from the University of Liverpool
- Taught at the University of Wolverhampton and De Montfort University
- Examiner, moderator and subject adviser
KATY FORRESTER
- A* grade in English Language & Literature A Level
- A in Sociology & Drama
- Studying Theatre & English Literature at Lancaster University