Useful Information
The A Level English Language and Literature course provides students with an enriching opportunity to explore a diverse range of texts across multiple genres, including novels, poetry, and drama. In addition to literary works, students will engage with various non-fiction texts, such as newspaper articles, autobiographies, travel writing.
This course examines texts from both literary and linguistic perspectives. Students will also investigate everyday speech and conversational language, analyzing how dialogue is constructed in both literature and real-life contexts.
The overall aim of the course is to deepen students’ understanding of English Language and Literature, preparing them for a variety of English-related courses in higher education. The A Level assessment consists of two exam papers and a coursework assignment.
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Course Overview
During the A Level course, students will adopt an **integrated analytical approach to spoken and written texts, utilizing literary and linguistic concepts and terminology.
Key linguistic frameworks will be introduced to enhance textual interpretation, including:
Phonology and Prosodics: Examining the sounds of speech and patterns in literature.
Lexis and Semantics: Understanding the connotations of word choices and imagery.
Grammar: Exploring the roles of specific words (such as pronouns and verbs) within sentences.
Pragmatics: Analyzing how context and situation meaning.
Students will engage with an anthology of spoken and written texts titled Voices in Speech and Writing, which includes a variety of materials such as newspaper articles, autobiographical extracts, diaries, travel writing, digital texts (like blogs), and reviews of books and television.
As part of their studies, students will explore one compulsory prose fiction 'anchor' text, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun. This ‘ pairing’ will be examined through the thematic lens of Society and the Individual.
The coursework component, accounting for 20% of the final grade, will require students to produce creative writing inspired by two stimulus texts: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ by Che Guevara.
To achieve a good grade, students must demonstrate technical accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Students will excel in this course if they:
Enjoy reading and to a variety of texts, including novels and plays.
Are willing to engage in detailed, close text analysis to explore how language impacts readers and listeners.
Are prepared to learn the terminology associated with linguistic analysis.
Enjoy writing accurately and fluently across different forms and for diverse purposes and audiences.
Are enthusiastic about participating in discussions.
Find the dynamics of language intriguing, including its evolution and varying meanings across contexts.
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Course Highlights
The College organizes various educational experiences throughout the year to help students contextualize their learning.
These experiences include trips to:
The Globe Theatre
The National Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre
Additionally, students can participate in talks and workshops with visiting speakers from the literary and theatrical fields.
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Career Opportunities & Further Study
Many students who complete this course progress to university to pursue degrees in English or related fields. Others successfully enter programs in Law, History, Sociology, and, utilizing the skills developed in A Level English.
Russell Group universities particularly value A Level English as part of their preferred qualifications profile. Overall, A Level English is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.
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Assessment
The assessment structure for this A Level comprises:
Two components, each worth 40% of the final qualification, assessed through formal written examinations lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes, scheduled for June.
One coursework component worth 20%.
The examination board for A Level is Pearson Edexcel.
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Entry Requirements
To enrol in the A Level English Language and Literature course, students must have (or expect to achieve) at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English at grade 5.
Students are also required to provide a satisfactory school reference and meet the following minimum GCSE criteria:
Grade 5 in English Language
Grade 5 in English Literature (if taken)
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