You will study literary texts such as plays, novels and poems, but the course has a focus on language analysis throughout. This is further developed by the study of conversations, interviews and speeches, and there is a whole new vocabulary of linguistic terminology to become familiar with.
You will learn to look at language ‘through a microscope’ and recognise how social and cultural values affect spoken and written communication and interaction. You will recognise how much social and cultural values underpin everyday language, but you still continue to explore the literary heritage of the past.
What you'll learn
Why choose AQA for A-level English Language and Literature?
This course integrates linguistic and literary methods, offering you the unique opportunity to explore the rich links between language and literature. This course encourages students to
- read widely and independently both set texts and others that they have selected for themselves
- engage critically and produce recreative writing
- learn grammar and develop skills in analysis and evaluation
- explore the contexts of the texts and consider how and why new words are formed
- carry out independent research for a study in literary and linguistic coursework
Year 1: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, selected poems by Carol Ann Duffy, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Non-Exam Assessment (NEA): A coursework project that allow you compare a theme in a fiction text and non-fiction text.
This part of the subject content focuses on language use in different types of text. It is called ‘Making Connections’ because it requires students to make active connections between a literary text and some non-literary material. The connections must be based either on a chosen theme or on the idea that linguistic strategies and features may occur in the different types of material. This area of the course provides an individualised experience for students, enabling them to demonstrate their ability to initiate and sustain independent enquiry.
By the end of this course, you will:
- Develop a critical appreciation of a wide range of texts.
- Enhance your ability to analyse and evaluate written and spoken language.
- Foster independent research skills through investigative writing.
- Cultivate creative writing abilities through re-creative tasks.
There is an extensive programme of support to help you make higher education decisions and move on to university. The vast majority of A Level students progress successfully to higher education.
We offer many enrichment opportunities, and you will be encouraged to choose from a range including volunteering, work experience, sport, and performing.
You will develop a wide variety of important employability skills on the course, such as:
- project management skills- through short, medium and long term projects
- communication skills- through writing tasks and speaking to others
- collaborative working skills through working closely with others
- time management skills through management of in and out of class work
- independence- through self assessment, target setting and processes of editing
The course is filled with learning opportunities to be grabbed with both hands, and we hope there’ll be fun along the way too!
How you'll learn and be assessed
You will concentrate on analysing language, as well as studying literary texts and poems. You will study the following topics:
- Unit 1 – integrated analysis and text production
- Unit 2 – analysing speech and its representation
- Unit 3 – comparative analysis and text adaptation
- Unit 4 – comparative analysis through independent study (coursework unit)
In and out of class, you can expect to work independently as well as collaboratively; using both high and low tech resources to engage with learning. You can expect to lead your learning through delivery of lessons and planning of the schedule. There will also be a number of opportunities this academic year for you to work on fundraising projects and participate in extra-curricular activities and trips. We will work closely with other English classes, learning together whenever we can.
You will study 4.5 hours in class but there is a clear expectation that you will complete the equivalent outside of class. Some weeks, this will include work set by your teacher, but in other weeks it might be a combination of reading, writing, contributing to classroom resources, marking or planning a lesson.
Formal assessment is through examinations and (in some subjects) through coursework. The examination periods are in May/ June. There will be a range of regular assignments, essays and class-based assessments to help you develop your study skills for the next educational step. Individual learning targets are set each term and you will receive regular feedback on your progress in meeting these targets.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and maths.
