This course is thoroughly recommended for those of you who are curious about how and why language works and who like to discuss it with others. It encourages you to look at written and spoken English meticulously and systematically, examining a wide variety of texts, from “real life” and from fiction, by using a very diverse range of approaches or frameworks. You will apply theories from academic research to your own raw data (language which comes from your own observations) and examine the part that context plays in our use of language. In your coursework we will help you to develop the skills you need to target professional standards. At AS you will construct fiction and non-fiction texts and you will carefully review your own writing. At A2 you will put language theories to the test in a language investigation of your own choosing. The AS units are Categorising Texts and Creating Texts. At A2 the units studied are Developing Language and Investigating Language.

This course is an ideal qualification for a degree in Journalism, Writing, English Studies or Linguistics or in a Humanities subject where it is important to be able to examine texts closely. It is a useful third or fourth A level for students intending to read Science or Medicine.