English Language & Literature

English Language & Literature is aimed at encouraging and developing an interest in and enjoyment of all aspects of written and spoken English. You will learn to use integrated linguistic and literary approaches in your reading and interpretation of material whilst engaging creatively and independently with a wide range of spoken and written texts drawn from a variety of literary genres, prose, poetry and drama.

Additionally, you will undertake independent and sustained studies to develop your skills as producers and interpreters of language, consider the significance of grammar, phonology, lexis and semantics which underlie the production of the written and spoken word, and how language is influence by historical and cultural context – for example, slang and colloquialisms. Most importantly, it will change the way you read and hear language forever.

What will I study in English Language & Literature?

AS Units 1 & 2
Speaking Voices: This unit explores the representation of individual voices that create meaning in texts, ranging from prose fiction to natural speech transcripts. Examples of texts you might compare in this unit are ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’ by Mark Haddon and ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F Scott Fitzgerald.

Changing Texts: You will explore creative techniques and the way in which literary texts are constantly being reinvented and reinterpreted for different audiences and purposes. Here you may be asked to look at the differences between Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Baz Luhrmann’s modern film adaptation.

A2 Units 3 & 4
Dramatic Voices: The focus of this unit is on the changing representation of power relationships through the genre of drama. You will undertake an analytical comparison of two drama texts, for example, Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ with Tom Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead.’

Connections across Texts: This unit gives you the freedom to choose influential or culturally significant works which may fall outside of the accepted literary canon. This will provide you with the opportunity to study topics of personal interest. Linked to this, you will write your own creative piece, thus developing and enhancing your skills as a producer and interpreter of language. In this module you could choose a text like Bill Bryson’s ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ and compare it to Darwin’s ‘The Voyage of the Beagle’. In turn this could be compared to a transcript of a Year 7 Science lesson which could then be used to prepare promotional material for an exhibition at the ‘Science Museum’.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed by one internally assessed coursework and one externally assessed written paper in both the AS and A2 years.

Do I need to have studied English Language & Literature before?

The course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in this subject area at GCSE. Although a GCSE in English Literature is not a prerequisite for the study of these specifications, it is recommended that you have at least Grade C in GCSE English.

Who will teach me?

Philip Carr graduated from Queens, Cambridge, and has an MA in Victorian Studies. He has been teaching English for many years, has written A Level examination textbooks, and is a published poet and reviewer.

What subjects complement English Language & Literature?

This subject would be suited to those studying English Literature, Modern Languages or other broadly Arts based subjects.

What careers can English Language & Literature lead to?

The study of Language & Literature can lead to a wide range of careers, notably journalism, literary publishing and editing, business, advertising and PR.