If you take a moment to think about it, language is interlaced throughout every aspect of our lives.
You sit reading the news on your phone while drinking your morning coffee. On your way to work you drive past a billboard with an extremely witty slogan and mull over how simple yet effective the message was. Throughout your working day you’ll talk with colleagues, perhaps changing the tone and topic of conversation when your manager walks into the room.
Without realising, you have been using - and being exposed to - language in different forms and contexts.
Through studying A-Level English Language, you will understand how people communicate. You will learn how to assign meaning to words. The effect society has on language and the factors enabling humans to acquire, use and understand it. Plus, how it is used in real-life situations.
Language works in subtle ways, subconsciously. If a clever mind is behind the pen, the language conveyed in these messages can effectively influence people’s thoughts, perceptions and actions.
The way a word sounds can influence your response to information or change your decision to buy a product or service. How a story is written can impact on your emotional state.
By studying A-Level English Language in-depth, you will gain invaluable skills for life. You will understand how to communicate effectively, critically assess information and challenge assumptions. You’ll also become aware of the wider context of language and the written form. Such as how language is used for social control, propaganda and manipulation in the wider world.
What’s Involved
If you choose to study A-Level English Language, you will be introduced to the principles of advanced language study. Developing your skills by engaging creatively with a variety of written language examples.
Through numerous tasks, you will learn how to write for different audiences. Adapting your style to achieve varying objectives and reflecting on the process you took to write each piece. By reading and assessing different texts, discourses and studying the aspects of textual variation, your writing and creative writing ability will improve.
You will learn and write about language variation, the many attitudes to language and how it is used as a creative tool for expression. Through research and analysis, you will be able to create supporting arguments, how to debate alternative views and work independently to research aspects of language in use.
During the course, you will complete two papers covering the entirety of the topics you have studied. Paper 1 focussing on Language, the Individual and Society, while Paper 2 looks at Language Diversity and Change. In these, you will be expected to draw on your knowledge, skills and understanding of what you have learnt throughout the course.
A non-exam assessment is also required. This centres on 'Language in Action' and consists of an investigation, original writing and a commentary.
Following successful completion of your assignments, you will be able to sit your exams. You have the option to complete your exams at the nearest available exam centre or online, which again provides a more convenient option.
By the time you have completed the course, you will have the ability to use language creatively and persuasively, whether in writing or verbally. You can take this to study English at university level, or to take on other subjects at university. English Language is a skill many courses and employers’ value, so your options certainly aren’t short once you finish your A Level.
What You Will Study
The modules you will cover while studying A-Level English Language are:
Textual variations and representations – Taking a look at texts about various subjects, from different writers and speakers, aimed at numerous audiences for various purposes, in diverse genres, modes, times and places. This helping you to explore how language is shaped by these differences and contexts. How it is used to construct meaning and representations and the way it can enact relationships between the writers, speakers and audience.
Children’s language development – Learning how children develop their spoken and written skills through the assessment of various elements.
Language diversity and change – Evaluating examples of language in use such as those using different sociolects and dialects, those using language to represent different groups and those from different periods. Allowing you to see how and why language varies due to personal, social, geographical and temporal contexts, developing your critical knowledge and understanding of different views and explanations.
Language discourses – The review of a range of texts conveying attitudes to language diversity and change. Giving you the opportunity to explore how texts are produced to convey views and opinions about language issues.
Writing skills – Developing your ability to writing discursively about language issues. Analytically about texts as parts of discourses about language. And to write about language issues in a variety of forms to communicate their ideas to a non-specialist audience.
Language Investigation – An option for you to investigate an area of interest to you such as the language of new communication technologies, the language of the media or the historical changes in English over time.
Original writing – The chance to produce a piece of original writing based on The Power of Persuasion, The Power of Storytelling or The Power of Information, along with an accompanying commentary.
What You Will Learn from The Course
The major strength of those who study A-Level English Language is the ability to communicate effectively. Broken down, you can see the host of transferrable skills an A Level in English Language will give you.
Your written and oral communication skills will demonstrate your ability to define audiences, build arguments and present your ideas. While providing essential background information on various issues.
Being able to write and speak with clarity and precision will be valuable in everything you do. Having a broad vocabulary and the ability to use critical terminology appropriately, can also be applied within many personal and professional scenarios.
Your ability to provide a detailed, balanced and rigorous examination of texts or spoken language, while articulating these interpretations to others can make you an asset to many businesses requiring analytical skills.
You’ll be sensitive to the way communication is shaped by circumstances, authorship and the intended audience. This coupled with your realisation of the power of language and its role in creating meaning, gives you the tools and methods you need to persuade an audience.
What You Can Do with Your English Language Qualification
One of the most desirable skills employers look for is good communication skills. The ability to explain, write or present ideas clearly and concisely.
That means English Language is a qualification valued in any job that involves communication, writing and/or literary knowledge. Such as marketing, journalism, law or business. However, your English skills are valued in scientific, engineering, technological and mathematical careers too. This is because writing proposals, academic papers, articles and communicating with others is vital in these fields to promote the work undertaken and gain funding for projects.
The skills gained through the study of English Language can therefore be applied in most job sectors.
Job options you could explore with your qualification could be:
Jobs directly related to your qualification:
- Digital copywriter
- Editorial assistant
- English as a foreign language teacher
- Lexicographer
- Journalist
- Publishing copy-editor/proof-reader
- Web content manager
- Writer
Jobs where your qualification would be useful:
- Academic librarian
- Advertising copywriter
- Arts administrator
- Education consultant
- Information officer
- Marketing executive
- Media researcher
- PPC specialist
- Public relations officer
- Records manager
- Social media manager
Why Choose an Online A Level?
Studying your A Level English Language online allows you to be in charge of your timetable. Aimed at mature students who most likely have other commitments like work or a busy family life, online courses let you study when it works for you.
So, if the best time for you is before the school run, in-between shifts or over the weekend when you have some free time, it’s up to you.
With no term dates, you can also begin your course the day you enrol and complete the materials at a pace that suits you. By putting students in the driver’s seat, depending on when they enrol many complete their courses within 9 months. However, you have two years to complete it should you need more time.
We have worked with subject experts to ensure the course material is engaging and diverse. As they are always available online, you can take your time to digest the information and go back to them as often as you need to.
You will also be assigned a dedicated tutor throughout the course, who can provide you with guidance and assistance if you need it. Simply contact them through our online portal.
learndirect is the UK’s leading distance learning provider. If you are interested in studying A-Level English Language and would like to do so in a way that puts you in control of your education, click the link below to view the course specification. To learn more about distance learning check out our blog.
