AS/A2 AQA

This course will provide you with the opportunity to:

• study different aspects of the past and present use of English
• analyse written and spoken language
• write your own texts for particular contexts, audiences and purposes

Course Outline
4 units - 2 for AS level and 2 for A2 level - consisting of:

AS Level

• Unit 1: An introduction to the study of language, requiring you to use linguistic methods to analyse and investigate a variety of texts taken from everyday sources. There will be a focus on the social contexts of language use: Language and Power; Language and Gender; Language and Technology.
• Unit 2: The opportunity to produce writing in different genres for different audiences and purposes.
  You will produce a coursework folder containing TWO pieces of original writing (differentiated by audience, purpose and genre) and TWO commentaries which explore the writing process.

In order to qualify for the English Language course at A2 level, you would be expected to achieve a pass at AS level.

A2 Level

• Unit 3: Building on AS knowledge, a focus on child language acquisition and language change.
  For Language Acquisition, you will learn about the nature and functions of language acquisition and the social development of children from 0-11 years; for Language Change, you will learn about the causes and impact of changes in English from 1700 to the present day.
• Unit 4: An investigation into a selection of language data of your own choice.  You will produce a coursework folder containing an investigation of up to 2500 words into an area of language use that interests you.  You will also produce a ‘media text’ (a newspaper/magazine article, for example) of up to 1000 words which introduces the topic of your investigation to a non-specialist audience.

Lessons will be a mixture of teacher-led activity, workshops and student presentations.  You will be expected to work at various times as part of a whole group, small group or individually.  Where possible, educational visits, study days, research conferences, etc. will be arranged.

Preferred Entry Requirements
GCSE grade B or above in English Language.*

*Please note that your enrolment on to a particular course must be approved by the Head of that department.