A Level English Language

Have you ever wondered why people speak differently? Why accents exist? Why American English is so different to British English? How babies learn how to speak and children learn how to read? Why men and women communicate so differently? Why English is spoken by so many people across the world? Why Shakespeare’s English is so different from the English we use today? How ‘selfie’ made it into the Oxford English Dictionary? Or are you thinking of pursuing a career in one of the following areas: speech and language therapy, journalism, forensic linguistics, marketing, law, advertising, teaching, digital copywriting, lexicography? Then English Language is the subject for you!

English Language is a varied and diverse subject which will take you on a linguistic journey through the British Isles, America, Australia and Canada. You will also have the opportunity to explore other varieties of English across the globe such as: Chinglish, Hinglish and Jamaican Patois and how these came to exist. These studies will form part of a much larger topic focusing on how the English language has changed since 1600 and continues to change even today. As part of this study, you will focus on important linguistic milestones such as: the formation of dictionaries, linguistic movements such as political correctness and the birth of text speak.

You will also study how language is shaped by a range of social factors such as: age, gender, ethnicity, class and sexuality. As well as studying the language use of other individuals, you will reflect on your own use of language and how social and geographical factors have shaped and continue to shape your idiolect.

You will also investigate and analyse how journalists use language to influence our perceptions of celebrities, social groups and important events in the world around us. This will help to prepare you for the completion of your own pieces of journalism on a range of linguistic debates.

To join BG6, you must achieve five or more GCSE grades 4 or above. These must include a minimum GCSE grade 4 in English Language or Literature and Mathematics and also meet the specific subject entry requirements for courses you are interested in.

SPECIFIC SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS:

GCSE Grade 5 in English Language and GCSE Grade 5 in English Literature

Students will develop a wide range of invaluable skills across their studies such as: critical reading, data analysis, evaluation, discursive essay writing, creative writing skills, academic writing, presentation skills and debating skills. These skills will be invaluable in preparing students for the challenges of both Higher Education and future employment making English Language a highly desirable subject choice for A Level.

A qualification in English Language would complement and prepare students for the demands of any Arts, Social Sciences, Linguistics or Humanities degree courses. In addition to this, English Language is also desirable if you wish to pursue a career in one of the following areas: speech and language therapy, forensic linguistics, journalism, marketing, advertising, law, copywriting, proofreading, technical writing and teaching.