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, explore the effect society has on language, and uncover the factors enabling humans to acquire, use, and understand it. Plus, you'll discover 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.
To assess your progress, you will complete two written exam papers at the end of the course, which must be taken in person at an approved physical exam centre. Paper 1 focuses 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.
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: Take a look at texts about various subjects, from different writers and speakers, aimed at numerous audiences in diverse genres, modes, times, and places. You'll explore how language is shaped by these differences, how it constructs meaning and representations, and how it enacts relationships between writers, speakers, and audiences.
- Children’s language development: Learn how children develop their spoken and written skills from birth up to the age of eleven, exploring key developmental stages and linguistic theories.
- Language diversity and change: Evaluate examples of language in use, such as those using different sociolects, dialects, genders, occupations, and social groups, alongside historical texts from different eras. This allows you to see how and why language varies due to personal, social, geographical, and temporal contexts.
- Language discourses: Review a range of texts conveying attitudes to language diversity and change. This gives you the opportunity to explore how texts are produced to convey strong views, biases, and opinions about language issues.
- Writing skills: Develop your ability to write discursively and analytically about language issues, learning how to reframe complex academic ideas in a clear, engaging format for non-specialist audiences.
- Language Investigation: Complete an independent research project into an area of language that fascinates you, such as the language of new communication technologies, media discourse, gendered speech patterns, or historical shifts in English over time.
- Original writing: 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 evaluative 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 global job market is evolving rapidly, and linguistic skills are more valuable than ever. Roles in digital content creation, brand strategy, and communication rely heavily on the technical principles taught in this course.
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
- UX (User Experience) Writer
- AI Conversation Designer / AI Specialist
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
- Internal Communications Specialist
- SEO Content Strategist
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, our online platform allows most students to fast-track their studies and complete the entire syllabus within 9 to 12 months, compared to the rigid two years required by physical colleges. 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 download our A-Level course brochure. To learn more about distance learning check out our blog.
