Course Content: AQA English Language 7701/7702
Candidates would normally be expected to have successfully completed a GCSE in English Language at grade 6. This course is taught over two years leading to a terminal examination for A2. Candidates will not be entered for AS external examination and accreditation.
Year 1 Course Content
Language and the individual.
Students study textual variations and consider how meanings and representations are created in texts via close linguistic analysis. Topics include:
- language levels such as phonology, lexis and grammar
- spoken versus written language
- multi-modal language varieties
- the impact of new technologies on language
- representations of the same subject in different media or for different audiences
Language varieties.
Students analyse language diversity including:
- accent, dialect
- variations of language by class, region and occupation
- language and gender
- power relationships in language
At the end of this year we begin to prepare the NEA coursework element by exploring different methods of investigating language use, how to observe language, deal with primary and secondary data sources and how these might be used to investigate a hypothesis chosen by the student. We also begin to explore different types of writing in preparation for the completion of the original writing component of their NEA.
Year 2 Course Content
Non Examined Assessment (coursework) 20% of A2
The Non Examined Assessment (NEA) is drafted, improved and submitted. This is a language investigation and a piece of original creative writing, totalling 3,500 words maximum. Each individual study and creative task must be approved by the centre.
Language change over time
Students study changes in English language from its emergence from Anglo-Saxon, to the current day. Evaluation of different English over time is developed by working with spoken, written and multimodal data, evaluating appropriate methods of analysis and making links to theories through time.
Child language acquisition
Students study how children learn language from birth to the age of 11. Analysis of this is supported by working with primary data and applying relevant theories and theorists
Language Diversity
Students investigate how gender, power, economic influences and new technologies create different Englishes. Observation, wider-reading and appropriate theorists are all used to analyse the diversity of English.
Assessment in A Level English Language
Year 1 Assessment
Students will complete assessments set and marked in school based on the topics taught within language and the individual and language varieties in the first year of the course. There will be at least one formal assessment per term and 2 sets of mocks throughout the course of the year.
Year 2 Assessment
We expect that students will sit the full A2 qualification at the end of Year 2. Students will complete assessments set on language change over time, child language acquisition and language diversity.There will be at least one formal assessment per term and 2 sets of mocks throughout the course of the year.
Paper One
40% of A Level
2 hours 30 minutes
100 marks
Students are asked to make a comparison of two previously unseen texts one contemporary and one from an earlier period. They also write a discursive essay on the language development of children based on data given with the paper which may be written, spoken or multimodal in character.
Paper Two
40% of A Level
2 hours 30 minutes
100 marks
Students are asked to write a discursive essay on language diversity or changes in English Language.
Students read two previously unseen texts on a similar topic. They are asked to compare and evaluate these. They then write a discursive essay on this topic giving their own analysis of it.
Marking and Feedback
Assessment feedforward sheets are used as part of the assessment marking process at the end of each unit which usually marries up to each term. Staff comments provide guidance on how students can improve their level of understanding. Staff are expected to review all peer assessed and self-assessed work and provide guidance when necessary.
Student folders are taken in by the class teacher at least twice per term (based on a standard 6 week term). Teachers will specifically indicate what work will and will not be marked in order to give our students a clear idea of what is expected from them and so they can always present their best work. Students are encouraged to self- and peer-assess their work through the use of our Green and Purple pens.
Setting in A Level English Language and Literature
As this is an Option Block, there is no setting for A Level English Literature nor English Langauge and all students at all levels work within the same groups. This is supported through carefully differentiated delivery of the curriculum.
Homework
- Homework is set in line with the School Homework Policy. At A Level English Language the intended length of homework should normally be 5 hours per week
- Homework typically includes practice exam questions, consolidation homework, creative tasks, wider reading around set texts/genres and flipped learning work
- In addition, there is a high level of expectation that students continue to read widely for pleasure, use the online resources to access articles on linguistics, explore journals and critics in the School Library and take part in lectures/visits arranged during the year
Supporting your son or daughter in A Level English Language
- Encourage discussion about the course and the materials and texts they are reading
- Talk about their topics in class, new words or new uses of existing ones, language controversies
- Support your son/daughter to take part in extra activities such as lectures, visits and trips
- Encourage wider reading around the subject
- Make sure that your son/daughter equipment for lessons – A4 files and paper plus pens, notes and filing materials
- Help them to spot where they need more help and encourage them to participate fully