English Language and Literature
Exam Board: AQA Specification B

To study this course you will need to have achieved a grade C or better in both G.C.S.E. English and English Literature. 

You will be encouraged to develop your interest in and enjoyment of English through reading an anthology of both literary and non-literary texts as well as developing your ability to analyse and explore language.

The course will allow you to develop your ability to express yourself in speech and writing for a variety of audiences and in both fiction and non-fiction genres.

Why Study English Language and Literature?

This course allows you to explore both literature and language at an advanced level.  It will give you a good foundation for both university and future employment.  It will develop your critical and analytical reading skills as well as improving your writing skills for a variety of audiences and purposes.  It will also give you an insight into the way language works on a societal and literary level.  It is useful for law, teaching, journalism and business management.

The English Department is staffed by a team of specialists.  We offer a range of support in addition to lessons; including theatre visits, conferences, trips to Oxford and other literary areas, workshops led by writers and examiners and extensive additional materials in the library and via our VLE. This provision contributes to the considerable academic success our students attain.

At AS you will be assessed in 2 units:

Unit 1 - Introduction to Language and Literature Texts (60% of AS marks)
This will be examined by a 1hr 45 mins paper.
This unit covers the introductory aspects of the study of language and literature, using an anthology of both literary and non-literary texts based on a theme, currently Food Glorious Food as well as some unseen texts, also based on the above theme.

Unit 2 - Themes in Language and Literature (40% of AS marks - coursework)
Candidates will produce a folder comprising two pieces of writing. The first piece is an analytical essay based on a theme and how it is explored in two different texts, chosen from a range of texts including Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter.  The second piece is a creative one which is linked to ideas and themes explored in the chosen texts..

At A2 you will be assessed in 2 units:

Unit 3 - Talk in Life and Literature (60% of A2 marks)
This will be examined by a 2 hour examination.  Students will study how talk works in both literary and non-literary texts.

Unit 4 - Text Transformation
The coursework folder will consist of two pieces of writing: both will use a literary text as a base and students will change this into texts of other genres with an accompanying commentary.