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Explore how language shapes identity, power and culture.
This course combines rigorous linguistic analysis with original writing, developing critical thinking, research and communication skills that universities and employers value highly across a huge range of careers.
'Language is the dress of thought.’
Samuel Johnson
​Are you interested in...
How accent, dialect and slang reveal who we are?
The ways in which politicians, advertisers and the media use language to persuade?
How children acquire language, and why we all speak differently?
Gender, power and identity in everyday conversation?
Writing creatively and analysing your own writing process?
Combining scientific rigour with close textual analysis?
Methods of Linguistic Analysis
Analyse language levels including phonetics, morphology, lexis, semantics, grammar, pragmatics and discourse.
Language Variation: The Collective and the Individual
Explore how personal and group identity is expressed through language choices, including the relationship between language and gender, power and technology.
Investigate how accent, dialect, sociolect develop, both locally and globally.
Navigate the history of the English Language from its proto-germanic roots to the inclusion of words like ‘skibidi’ in the dictionary.
Child Language Acquisition
Explore the different theories of CLA and learn how children learn to communicate, through spoken, written and multimodal means.
Development of independent research
A non-exam assessment unit combining an original piece of writing with a linguistic commentary, alongside a language investigation: a mini dissertation that builds independent research skills ahead of university.
ASSESSMENT
Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society (written exam, 40%)
Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change (written exam, 40%)
Non-exam assessment: Language in Action; a self-directed language investigation (mini dissertation) plus original writing with commentary (20%)
SUBJECT EXPERTS​
Ms Oakley, Subject Lead
Ms Oakley holds an MA in English Language and Philosophy, specialising in linguistic analysis and gendered power relations.
Her dissertation focused on an analysis of morphology and syntax. She has a strong track record of A-level success. She has loved English Language since studying it for A-level herself.
Mrs Cale brings a love of close textual analysis and critical theory to the classroom, valuing the rich dialogue created when students bring their own perspectives to A-level discussions.
Miss Davies previously taught IB English Language and Literature with great success.
She is fascinated by gender and power relations in language and by close textual analysis.
Enrichment Opportunities
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The British Library, London: investigates language change, World Englishes and diversity; supports NEA ideas and independent enquiry
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BBC Broadcasting Tour, Cardiff: explores language in media, representation and audience; develops understanding of power, ideology and communication
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CAN LEAD TO A CAREER IN:
Journalism and broadcasting
Law
Publishing and editing
Marketing, advertising and PR
Teaching
Speech and language therapy