English Language

It will give you the opportunity to explore how language functions in different social contexts and to become more skilful and sophisticated in your writing in different genres.

Language Paper 1: The Individual and Society
This unit will introduce you to methods of language analysis to explore concepts of audience, purpose, mode and representation. You will then have the opportunity to apply these methods to a variety of texts. You will also study children's language development, exploring how children learn language and how they are able to understand and express themselves through language. Assessment is by examination, in which you will analyse and compare texts, and write a discursive essay on children's language development.

Language Paper 2: Diversity and Change
The focus of this unit is the exploration of language in its wider social, geographical and temporal contexts. You will explore the processes of language change, as well as studying and debating social attitudes to language diversity and change. Your exploration will include finding out why language varies and changes, how identity is constructed and how audiences are addressed and positioned. Research skills and effective use of data will be developed, too. Assessment is by examination, which will involve the analysis of how texts are used to present ideas, and an evaluative essay on either language change or diversity. Language in Action: (Coursework) The final unit is assessed through coursework. You will have the opportunity to carry out your own language investigation and produce a piece of linked original writing.