Questions we're often asked - and the answers
1. Q: Is A-Level English like GCSE English?
A: Not much. Probably the closest you've come to it is in analysing the language of media texts at GCSE. A-Level English Language is more like a mini Linguistics course, focussing on how English is used in contemporary society.
2. Q: What sort of things do you do?
A: You look at all forms of contemporary English usage - spoken, written, electronic (email, text messaging, MSN, etc) and multi-modal texts, for example, ones that combine words and images. In the second year you study how children learn language, and also explore how language changes over time, including looking at earlier English texts, possibly as far back as the C14th.
3. Q: Is there any creative writing?
A: Very much so, but it's important to grasp that this is an English Language A-Level and not a Creative Writing A-Level. The coursework is largely in the AS course where you write two creative pieces. They must be different types of writing and for different audiences. For instance, you could write a dramatic monologue for a teenage audience, and a restaurant review for an adult audience. Each piece also requires a linguistic commentary showing understanding of the genre.
4. Q: How much background reading is there?
A: Background reading is essential in every subject. If you're analysing the differences between the way men and women speak, for instance, you need to be familiar with theories about language and gender.
5. Q: Do I have to learn lots of critical terms then?
A: The more the better! Credit is given in all subjects for the ability to write precisely about a topic. Knowing the correct terms helps you write economically and with exactitude. After this course, you'll know for life what is meant by things like an 'implied reader', a 'topic loop', 'politeness strategies' and 'positive and negative face'.
6 Q: What is the course useful for, career wise?
A: Anything involving awareness of language and the way language can be used to inform or persuade or manipulate. Also anything which requires close analysis of language, so things like journalism, advertising, the law.
7. Q: What A-Level subjects does it go well with?
A: Pretty much all. It goes well with any humanities or science subject, any language. If you combine it with English Literature (and students do), then English looks very much your thing. Besides English Language A-Level, our current students study: Physics, Politics, Art, History of Art, Chemistry, Drama, History, English Literature, Ancient History, Latin, Classics, Spanish,etc.
