Overview
What is this subject about?
Providing a refreshing perspective on English, the combined English Language and Literature A Level gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in analysing both fiction and non-fiction texts as well as providing the opportunity to write creatively in a style of your choice. This course provides a broad overview of the different aspects of English Studies and is quite different from English GCSE, featuring both linguistic and literary analysis and a significant element of creative work.
What will I study over the two years?
This is an ideal course for anyone wishing to learn more about the English Language and how it is used in a variety of contexts. You will study the language of an inspiring anthology of non-fiction texts featuring such variety as Jonathan Swift’s satirical text A Modest Proposal published in 1729, to Jeremy Paxman and Russell Brand’s broadcast television interviews via live music reviews from the national press and the abdication speeches of kings. You will also study literary texts: an anthology of poetry such as Carol Ann Duffy’s Rapture, or Seamus Heaney’s Opened Ground; Tennessee William’s play A Streetcar Named Desire and a novel, for example Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, or Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe.
In the second year, you will also produce a coursework folder containing one piece of original creative writing and an analytical essay comparing two modern texts, for example Stasiland by Anna Funder and Jeanette Winterson’s Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is by 3 written exam papers (worth 80%
of the total mark) and coursework (worth 20% of the
total mark), which is written in the second year.
What skills will I need and develop
in this course?
By the end of the course English Language &
Literature students will have developed an impressive
array of transferable skills including critical analysis,
structuring arguments, selecting evidence, debating
interpretations of fictional and non-fiction texts and
developing effective creative writing skills.
Careers
What does this subject offer for higher
education and future careers?
This subject is considered a competitive one in terms
of university entrance. It attracts a lot of applicants
for university as it combines the academic, creative
and analytical skills which are so valued in many
careers. The skills are transferable to a range of
disciplines and careers, including Publishing,
Journalism, Psychology, Law, Advertising and
Marketing.
Entry Requirements
What are the formal entry requirements
for this course?
Aside from the general entry criteria that the College
requires, you will also need to achieve at a minimum
of:
• Grade 4 in GCSE English Literature
• Grade 4 in GCSE English Language
Subject combination advice
What courses might combine with
this subject?
English Language & Literature combines well with
subjects like History, Classical Civilisation, Drama
and Theatre Studies, Media Studies and Sociology.
If you choose to study English Language & Literature
A level you should not also study either English
Language or English Literature A level.
What is the difference between English
Language & Literature and English
Language or English Literature?
English Language & Literature is what it says on the
tin: it draws together in one course aspects of English
Literature and aspects of English Language. So, about
half the course is concerned with the study of a range
of literary texts (poetry, prose and drama) and the
other half is concerned with the analysis of nonfiction texts (both written and spoken). You will also
produce your own original creative and non-fiction
pieces of writing.
If you are passionate about reading and enjoy reading
a wide and diverse range of literary texts in your
spare time, you should consider taking A level English
Literature, which is solely concerned with the study of
a range of literary texts. If you are interested in
linguistics and have an aptitude for Modern
Languages and good numeracy skills, you should
consider studying English Language. English
Language A level is NOT closely related to GCSE
English and is a specialist course aimed at students
who wish to progress to courses or careers in
linguistics. It involves close study of language
patterns and theories of language development and
acquisition.
