English Language is a stimulating and rewarding course which provides students with multiple perspectives on a fundamental aspect of their existence, their language. The course explores, amongst other things: how the language is structured; how it is used to signal identity, impose solidarity and difference; how it is acquired by children and how it has changed over time.
Have you ever wondered why children say things like ‘I writed that’ even when their parents don’t? Or why knight contains so many unpronounced letters? English Language A-Level will help you solve these mysteries (and others) as well as offering you an array of skills essential for the modern world. English Language A-Level requires technical and critical analysis, as well as cultural and social sensitivity. The integration of all these skills will prepare you for a range of potential degree subjects and/or professions.
This information sheet will tell you about:
- The aims of the course
- The learning experience
- What you can do with an English Language A-Level
- What students say
Aims of the course
English Language A-Level builds on skills and knowledge developed at Key Stages 3 and 4 but covers a much wider range of topics and methods of analysis. You will analyse texts in a wide range of spoken and written media, engaging with them critically and creatively. You will apply ideas from linguistic theories to analyse them, including theories about language structures (sounds, words, syntax and semantics), about how language develops (language development) about how it varies (sociolinguistics, language change) and about how we communicate using language (conversation analysis, discourse analysis, pragmatics).
You will develop understanding of how language works in general as well as in specific situations, often looking at real data (audio and video recordings, transcripts and written texts). You will look at English comparatively, to develop understanding of language in general, and you will explore how different ways of using language have different kinds of effects, e.g. in persuading people, in being polite or impolite, and in constructing and adjusting power relations. You will consider complex questions about language and interaction, developing your ability to work independently as well as to understand a wide range of situations and to act effectively within them.
The learning experience
As with many A-level courses, you will typically be in a smaller teaching group for A-level English Language than your GCSE groups. This supports a focus on discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas that is at the heart of A-level English Language learning. The most marked difference to GCSE English Language that you will notice, however, is in the course content. Alongside more in-depth textual analysis which takes a broadly linguistic approach to mainly non-fiction texts, you will also explore a wide range of theoretical concepts such as: child language development; how the English language has changed over time; and the mechanics of spoken communication.
Through discussion, essay-writing, and studying theory, English Language A-level will equip you with the skills to express yourself in presentations and debates as well as in academic writing. You will learn how to put together an argument, use evidence, and express yourself with confidence, clarity, and sophistication. In addition, you will develop valuable research skills as you explore the theories linked to English language study.
English Language A-level is a fascinating and rewarding subject, through which you will develop both academically and personally, giving you theoretical knowledge and understanding alongside written and spoken communication skills. This will equip you to become a valued member of society, helping to shape it today and in the future.
What can you do with an English Language A-Level?
English Language A-Level is a highly regarded academic subject. It develops knowledge and skills which are useful in a wide range of contexts and are highly valued by a wide range of employers.
It is an essential qualification for most degrees in English Language or Linguistics and in Speech Therapy but is also widely recognised as useful for degrees in English Literature, Creative Writing, Media and Communication, Modern Foreign Languages, Journalism, Law, Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Politics and teacher education. As well as single and joint honours English degrees, it is a recognised qualification for many other disciplines across the arts, humanities and social sciences. Combined with maths or science A-Levels, it can also help qualify you for some degree programmes in science, technology or medicine.
Alongside careers such as publishing, journalism, teaching, the legal profession, television and radio production, advertising, marketing and librarianship, the study of English Language is an excellent preparation for work in the charity sector, arts administration, HR, the civil service, the intelligence services and business. Wherever analytic skills, effective communication and the ability to work independently are needed in the workplace, a background in English Language will make you attractive to employers. Skills and understanding of ideas from English Language A-Level are relevant for work in artificial intelligence, large language models, speech synthesis, speech recognition. Many linguists are employed by companies developing search engine software and digital assistants such as Alexa and Siri.
What students say
- Studying English has really helped me in my experience of work for a small business. My ability to write concisely and persuasively enabled me to write communications and marketing material that were really effective.
- The study of English opens avenues of critical thinking that bring prior, established frameworks into question. The implications for new perspectives in a broader socio-political arena are immense.
- English became particularly relevant for me after I attended a class on language in advertising. I realised how the use of language in media affects us without us even knowing.
- Studying English has provided me with the skill set I need to challenge my own beliefs and broaden my world-view.
- It’s the foundation of everything we do. Communication is so important and English (both Language and Literature) teaches that and so much more. I have applied what I have learnt in interviews, applications, professional discussions, etc.
- So much of it stems from discussion and from talking to each other … exchange of ideas, thoughts, and then… you’ll put your idea out there and everyone will work together to develop it. That’s – that’s the beauty.
- Through studying English I understand more about the world, about cultures and societies and a lot about the ‘why’ of things.
