English Language (A level)

Key Facts

Starts September
Course Type Full Time
Duration Two Years
You Need 1 Requirements needed View

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English taster session recording

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Click here to watch the recording of our live, online taster session that took place on Thursday 19th November. (Please note that taster session recordings are available via Microsoft Teams. If you are accessing the recordings using a mobile or tablet device you may need to download the MS Teams app).

Introduction What do we study How will I learn What's next What current students say What else do I need to know

Introduction

What do people think when they hear your accent? What’s a tablet? Ask Aristotle, then Moses, a doctor, then Steve Jobs. What was a vacuum before it became a vacuum? Why might you not want ketchup on your chips once you find out what the word ‘ketchup’ actually means? Is anyone actually laughing out loud when they’ve typed ‘LOL’? Do women tell lies better than men? All of this and more is explored in the wonderful world of English Language.

What do we study

This subject covers a tremendous range of topics – old language, new language, child language, and gendered language, to name just a few. If it has been written, spoken, typed, tweeted, re-tweeted, sent, broadcast, shouted or mumbled, you will study it. We look at how and why language is used in all its forms in the world today and yesterday.

How will I learn

English Language lessons are an active learning experience, where your opinions, thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the use of language will be asked for and must be expressed out loud. Yes, we teach you to pass exams, but perhaps more importantly we also help you to find your voice.

What's next

English Language is a subject that leads into and supports many different careers. Students go on to study a wide range of degrees; a degree in English can lead to careers that are related to the fields of Law, Media, Administration; Publishing; Health Care; Education and the Leisure industry. Former students have gone on to study a range of degrees at university. David is now at Leeds Trinity University studying Film; Hannah is at York University studying Philosophy and Linguistics; Ryan has gone to Sunderland University to study Journalism and Kerrie went to Northumbria University to study Law.

What current students say

“I took English Language because I want to become a primary school teacher and I needed a National Curriculum subject. I’ve really enjoyed the children’s language acquisition topic as it helped me with my university application, I could discuss the ways in which children use language when I went to an open day.” “The lessons are intense, structured and relaxed – a difficult mix but the teachers manage to keep me on task and I’m not always the best at remaining focused.” “I’ve loved the language change topic as it linked nicely to my favourite subject History. I really enjoyed learning about Anglo-Saxon and Medieval English and how we speak and use language in the 21st century.”

What else do I need to know

Depending on your previous grades you may need to study English and maths alongside your other courses. These are essential skills that all employers value.

You will have the opportunity to choose your own coursework topic, for instance, your IM chats, the language of gendered differences (or not), how children try to manipulate their parents – the choice is yours!

We organise trips and visits to supplement the course as regularly as possible. Previously we have organised trips to see a West End production and Shakespeare on stage and arranged for local journalists to come in and discuss the use of language in the media.

Our English A-Level students have had a 100% pass rate for the last three years.

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English Language (A level)

Introduction

What do we study

How will I learn

What's next

What current students say

What else do I need to know

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