A Guide for Pupils and Parents

Are you an enthusiastic reader of a wide range of books and other texts? Do you enjoy writing? Are you interested in words and ideas?

Are you able to work independently?

Do you like sharing your opinions with other students in discussion lessons? Are you a successful GCSE student who is likely to gain A or B grades in English and English Literature? Do you want access to a wide range of courses and careers?

 We

offer three distinct Advanced courses:

English Language English Literature English Language and Literature

This specification has been designed to: enable candidates to develop and apply their understanding of the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language provide opportunities for independent investigation work related to language in use enable candidates to engage creatively and independently with a varied programme for the study of English from the past to the present day develop candidates' skills as producers and interpreters of language.
Advanced English Language 4

At AS, this specification will enable candidates to explore the fundamental structures and functions of writing, speech and conversation and how language functions in different social contexts.

Advanced English Language

Topic list Exploring and understanding spoken and written language in use The roles of purposes, audiences and contexts and the impact of these pressures upon language production and reception An analysis and investigation of a variety of extracts taken from everyday sources. Assessment External Exam: 1 hour 30 minutes Weighting:60% of total AS / 30% of total A Level marks This unit covers the introductory aspects of the study of language, using a variety of texts for the basis of this study. In addition it focuses on three specific social contexts: Language and Power, Language and Gender and Language and Technology.

Advanced English Language

You will need to acquire a systematic framework for analysing language. Five related concepts form the basis of study for this module:

register situational variation and register: how language varies in relation to audiences, purposes and contexts mode how language may vary as a consequence of the channel of communication (speech, writing and mixed modes) idiolect the language style acquired by individuals as a result of their personal characteristics, systems of belief (ideologies) and social experience dialect the variations in language produced as a result of local community and regional diversity sociolect language variations produced by the effects of education, socioeconomic class, systems of belief (ideologies), occupation and membership of any other social groups.

The following descriptions of language will enable students to identify and discuss both the language system and its diverse uses and expressions.

lexis vocabulary choices available to users of English grammar the fundamental structures and functions of English: the written word, spoken utterances, sentences and texts phonology/ the contribution made by the voice to the phonetics communication of meaning, including intonation, rhythm, pace, volume, word stress and pauses in spoken English semantics the ways in which meanings, implicit and explicit, are constructed and understood in English both spoken and written pragmatics the ways in which social conventions and implied meanings are encoded in spoken and written language. discourse (i) stretches of speech or conversation (ii) the ways language is used to express the interests of a particular group or institution e.g. the discourse of medicine, the law, politics, the media graphology the contribution made to the meaning of a text by writing, printing and images as a system of signs.

Topic list Development of personal writing expertise through individual coursework Writing to entertain, to persuade, to inform and to instruct The use of register and style; characteristics of genres and sub-genres; the impact of language choices (lexis and grammar) and discourse strategies; the purposes and skills of planning, drafting and redrafting; the use of primary sources and of clear referencing of these materials; skills associated with analysing and reviewing the writing process and the reception of their own texts. Assessment Coursework Weighting:40% of total AS / 20% of total A Level marks In this unit candidates are encouraged to develop their own writing skills, producing writing in different genres for different audiences and purposes.

Advanced English Language

At A2, the specification explores the nature and functions of language, how its key constituent parts have developed under the influence of a variety of contextual factors and how these changes may be analysed and evaluated creatively.

Advanced English Language

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Topic list Language acquisition - the nature and functions of language acquisition and social development of children from 0-11 years Language change - historical and contemporary changes in the English Language from Late Modern English (1700+) to the present day. Assessment External Exam:2 hoursWeighting:30% of total A Level marks This unit has a detailed focus on two specific areas of language study: Child Language Acquisition and Language Change

Advanced English Language

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Topic list Coursework exploring and analysing language data Data collection methodology Analysis and interpretation of data using appropriate linguistic methods and techniques Evaluation and investigative conclusions. Assessment Coursework Weighting:20% of total A Level marks In this unit candidates apply their knowledge of linguistic methods and concepts to an investigation of their choice.

Advanced English Language

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This new specification has been designed to: maintain continuity with the previous specification whilst delivering as much choice as possible for teachers and candidates encourage candidates to develop as informed, independent readers and critics of literary texts comply with the subject criteria and provide teachers with a coherent collection of texts to select from.
Advanced English Literature

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At AS, this specification will allow centres to construct a coherent course of study in one of three areas of study: Victorian Literature, World War One Literature or The Struggle for Identity in Modern Literature. Candidates will study three texts (one of each genre) in detail, plus three texts for wider reading and contextual support. A suggested wider reading list is provided. Literature Advanced English

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This unit assesses the poetry set text plus candidates' wider reading in their chosen area of study. Candidates answer two questions: one on the poetry text, the other linking their wider reading to the focus of a given extract. Topic list One set poetry text plus wider reading in one of the following areas of study: Option A Victorian Literature Or Option B World War One Literature Or Option C The Struggle for Identity in Modern Literature.

Assessment Written Exam:2 hours Weighting:60% of total AS / 30% of total A Level marks Candidates answer two questions. Question 1 invites candidates to link their wider reading to the focus of a given passage. Question 2 assesses the set poetry tex

Advanced English Literature

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This unit assesses the set prose and drama texts. Candidates produce a coursework folder containing two pieces of writing comprising 2,000 2,500 words in total. Students select one prose text and one drama text from a list provided for their chosen area of study (Victorian Literature, World War One Literature or The Struggle for Identity in Modern Literature). Assessment Coursework Weighting:40% of total AS / 20% of total A Level marksOne prose text and one drama text Two tasks: 2,000 2,500 words in total. The first piece will be a personal informed response to the chosen prose text, either a creative interpretation or creative transformational writing. The second piece will be a piece of writing on the chosen drama text, focusing on the text in context and aspects such as theme, structure and characterisation.

Advanced English Literature

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At A2, the specification synthesizes the skills and learning of the whole course. Candidates will prepare for a paper which will contain unprepared passages for close study, comparison and critical commentary on a theme (for the next five years this will be 'Love through the Ages'). In Unit 4, candidates will be encouraged to reflect on ways of reading and writing about texts.
Advanced English Literature 17

Topic list Students should read at least the equivalent of three texts on the theme of 'Love through the Ages', including: reading in the literature of love including the three genres of prose, poetry and drama literature written by both men and women literature through time (from Chaucer to the present day). some non-fiction texts.

Assessment Written Exam:2 hours and 30 mins Closed bookWeighting:60% of total A2 / 30% of total A Level marksThe paper will comprise four unseen extracts for close study, comparison and critical commentary. Two compulsory questions: one comparing two extracts of the same genre, with close reading of the texts and reference to the wider reading of love poetry one comparing two extracts (of the remaining two genres), using wider reading of love through literature to inform interpretations.

Advanced English Literature

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Topic list the study of three texts with a shared theme, none of which will have been studied at AS and one of which will be a Shakespeare play an extended essay which will compare two texts of the candidate's choice an essay focusing on an extract of a Shakespeare play requiring a detailed commentary on the extract, assessing its significance in the whole play. Assessment Coursework Weighting:40% of total A2 / 20% of total A Level marksOne piece of work: an extended essay (3,000 words) comparing three texts and focused on: comparison appreciation of the writer's choices of form, structure and language exploring interpretations of text some understanding of the significance of context

Advanced English Literature

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This specification has been designed to: develop students understanding of English Language and Literature A as a combined discipline draw on their experiences at GCSE as well as offering a secure foundation for the study of English beyond GCE level play to their strengths and deepen their enjoyment by offering a great deal of choice.
Advanced English Language and Literature 20

At AS, this specification will enable candidates to develop integrated literary and linguistic analysis. Set texts will be analysed using appropriate terminology. Students will develop their writing skills and be able to write fluently and coherently in response to questions.

Advanced English Language and Literature

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Topic list Analytical Question focuses on the use of language and style to develop and explore issues within the text Production Task addresses central issues within the text such as theme, attitude, language and idiom; candidates are asked to adopt a different style or voice. Assessment Written Paper:1 hour 30 minutesWeighting:50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks Two questions on two set texts: one question will address literary and stylistic issues; one question will be a language production task.

Advanced English Language and Literature

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Topic list Features of Spoken English transcribed examples of speech from a literary or non-literary context will be compared to discuss how form and context can help shape meaning Speech Representation within the context of set text analysis will focus on speech, style and linguistic issues. Assessment Written Paper:1 hour and 30 minutesWeighting:50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks Two questions: one an unseen analysis; one on a set text. One question will be an unseen comparative analysis of different speech texts. One question will be on a set text and will examine both the representation of speech and other stylistic and thematic issues within the set text.

Advanced English Language and Literature

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At A2, the specification includes coursework as a means of developing integrated literary and linguistic analysis. Candidates will demonstrate the use of appropriate terminology when analysing set texts. Poetry texts will be included at A2 level.

Advanced English Language and Literature

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Topic list Extending the principles of integrated literary and linguistic analysis Developing questions to consider challenging comparative issues on two set texts selected from poetry and a range including prose and drama Creation of drafting processes in preparation for the coursework tasks. Assessment Written Paper:2 hours and 30 minutesWeighting:30% of total A level marks Two questions: one unseen analysis; one on a set text. One question will be an unseen comparative analysis of three different types of text of different genres, modes and historical periods. One question will be on a set text and will require candidates to do a re-casting task of a particular kind, with an introductory paragraph explaining textual intention and audience.

Advanced English Language and Literature

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Topic list Integration of literary and linguistic study, exploring the way that unseen tasks can be analysed and compared through a variety of approaches Developing production skills by focusing on non-fiction writing Using appropriate terminology to aid analysis and communication. Assessment Coursework UnitWeighting:20% of total A level marks One question: one coursework task to be completed on an aspect of two texts (one at least to be chosen from poetry texts and one other) chosen from a list ratified by the examination board. Evidence of drafting is a requirement

Advanced English Language and Literature

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This presentation can only give the bare outlines of English study at A level

if you want to know more:

ask an English teacher

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