English Language
Mission statement
Challenging students to become independent, creative, ambitious language users and thoughtful communicators
The link below allows you to see when topics may be covered; this is a guide for information only and has the potential to change as the year progresses.
Paper 1: Language, the Individual and Society
What's assessed
- Textual variations and representations
- Children's language development (0-11 years)
Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 100 marks
- 40% of A-level
Questions
Section A - Textual Variations and Representations
Two texts (one contemporary and one older text) linked by topic or theme.
- A question requiring analysis of one text (25 marks)
- A question requiring analysis of a second text (25 marks)
- A question requiring comparison of the two texts (20 marks)
Section B - Children's Language Development
A discursive essay on children’s language development, with a choice of two questions where the data provided will focus on spoken, written or multimodal language (30 marks)
Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change
What's assessed
- Language diversity and change
- Language discourses
- Writing skills
Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 100 marks
- 40% of A-level
Questions
Section A - Diversity and Change
One question from a choice of two: Either: an evaluative essay on language diversity (30 marks) Or: an evaluative essay on language change (30 marks)
Section B - Language Discourses
Two texts about a topic linked to the study of diversity and change.
A question requiring analysis of how the texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions (40 marks)
A directed writing task linked to the same topic and the ideas in the texts (30 marks)
Non-exam assessment: Language in Action
What's assessed
- Language Investigation
- Original Writing
Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities
Assessed
- Word count: 3,500
- 100 marks
- 20% of A-level
- Assessed by teachers
- Moderated by AQA
Tasks
Students produce:
- A language investigation (2,000 words excluding data)
- A piece of original writing and commentary (1,500 words total)
English at St Mary’s is an enjoyable experience. From Year 7, teachers encourage you to learn in a variety of ways, from group discussion to independent research. The topics and texts studied are engaging, whilst also helping to build understanding of the wider world, which helps us to draw links with topics studied in other subjects. The teachers are welcoming, approachable, supportive and with you every step of the way. English lessons always challenge us and cater for different learning styles. We are always encouraged to be ambitious and get the most out of our time in the English classroom.
– Year 12 student