Bradford College

Course Overview

If you are interested in how the English language works, this course is ideal for you.

The course is 40% coursework and 60% examinations.

In Year One, you will be introduced to some of the main branches of linguistics.

You will analyse a wide range of texts, using the language frameworks, and look at language in social contexts. The range of texts could include stories, advertisements, menus, contracts, speeches, plays or even food labels and much more. One of the two AS examination questions will require you to analyse six or seven small texts and categorise them according to areas such as grammar, semantics, graphology, discourse, lexis, context, pragmatics, phonology, genre, audience and other appropriate headings such as humour. The other examination question will include language and gender, power or technology.

The AS coursework requires two different pieces of original writing that are influenced by an analysed style model and followed by a commentary that explains the techniques used - for example, a speech for professional adults in a work context and piece of travel writing aimed at backpackers. 

The A2 coursework is a  language investigation that follows a format with an introduction, methodology, analysis, conclusion and  bibliography etc. You could have a hypothesis and prove or disprove something or investigate something that is language related. Examples could be around language change through advertisements, recipes, policies or 'do women gossip more than men?' or 'boys swear more than girls?' etc. Other examples may include analysing song lyrics, the way a character is portrayed in a book or how children learn to spell. There will be a requirement to write a media text , which is an offshoot of the investigation but based on the content of the investigation.

Also, in the A2 year, you will extend your knowledge by studying language change and child language acquisition. These two topics will be included in the final examination and can be used as language investigation topics.
 

Course Structure

AS level:
Unit 1 - (exam)
Categorising texts
Language and Social Contexts (gender, power and technology)
Unit 2 - (Coursework)
Creating Texts

A2 level:
Unit 3 - (exam)
Developing Language (language change and child language acquisition)
Unit 4 - (coursework)
Language Investigation

Entry Requirements

GCSE English Language at Grade B or above.
You may be invited for an interview and may be asked to complete a short written assignment.
If you are over 19 and do not have the standard qualifications, you are encouraged to apply.

How Will I Learn?

• A wide range of teaching and learning methods and resources will be used, including:
• MOODLE,
• e-stream,

individual and group work.

Skills You Will Develop

• You will be given the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and concepts associated with the study of English Language
• You will gain an informed awareness of contemporary debates about language.
• The coursework Modules will enable you to develop your writing skills and investigate topics in which you are interested.

Benefits

Choosing to study A Level English Language can give you a head start in the job market and at university. Undoubtedly, written and spoken communication is an essential requirement in the world of business and across a range of professions such as those in the areas of paralegal work, law, publishing, web publishing, research, journalism, marketing, teaching, classroom assistants, speech therapy, public relations, speech writing for public officials, translators, signers, proof reading, librarians, technical writing and copy writing.

How You Will Be Assessed

By examination (60%) and by coursework (40%). Two of the four Modules are assessed by coursework.

Things You May Need

The course books give examples of coursework titles and areas of study as well as activities to assist you with your studies.

• Essential AS reading: AQA English Language B by Marcello Giovanelli & Alan Pearce.   
• Essential A2 reading: AQA English Language B by Mark Saunders & Felicity Titjen.
• Optional reading: Advanced English Language (Revision Express) by Alan Gardiner