A-level English Language
Edexcel A-level English Language solidifies your understanding. Whether you are writing a blog, reading a film script, or analysing advertising copy, it is important that you use and understand language with its intended audience in mind. With unlimited tutor support available, you can study at a pace that suits you with assistance on hand every step of the way.
Course Introduction
We use our language skills daily and hear languages all around us. This course will help you think more carefully about the sights and sounds you may have previously taken for granted. A-level English Language is the ideal course to learn different ways of effective communication, and how to influence thoughts and feelings through writing.
Designed to develop a range of academic skills, this course will challenge you to read critically, analyse a range of spoken and written datasets, assess bias from different viewpoints, and develop language for a range of purposes such as to argue, persuade, advise and entertain. For your non-exam assessment, you will conduct a piece of language-based research on a topic of your choosing, utilising skills and knowledge developed throughout the course.
The skills offered by this course will prepare you well for further study or future employment.
Comprising of six units, this course will prepare you for end-of-unit assessments which reflect the modules of the final Edexcel examination, ensuring you are fully equipped to take your final qualification. Assignments will help you measure your progress against Edexcel’s marking criteria and allow you to gain vital feedback from your subject tutor so you can reflect, revise and grow in confidence.
You will also be provided with information to support your exam skills, essay writing and revision hints and tips.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- UCAS Points
- Units
-
8–24 months
-
300
-
Level 3
-
Edexcel A-level
-
56
-
6 units (view units)
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Edexcel is the UK’s largest awarding organisation offering academic and vocational qualifications in schools, colleges and workplaces in the UK and abroad. Edexcel is a multinational education and examination body covering A-Level Courses and GCSE Courses.
UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Introduction
- Introduction to English language
- Language levels
Unit 2: Language Variation
- The individual
- Gender
- Culture
- Geography & dialect
- Global English
- Journalism
- Power
Unit 3: Child Language
- Written language acquisition
- Spoken language acquisition
Unit 4: Language Change
- Changes to modern language
Unit 5: Crafting Language (Non-Examined Assessment)
- Crafting language
- Putting together our NEA
Unit 6: Preparing for the Exams
- Paper 1
- Paper 2
- Paper 3
- Analysing pre-release material
- Revision and exam tips
Course Outcome
Upon successfully completing this home learning course, you will receive the qualification: A-level English Language issued by Edexcel (9EN0). This syllabus has been chosen specifically because it is best suited to distance learning. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university.
Progression Routes
A qualification in A-level English Language offers many progression routes. English is one of the most spoken languages in the world, so there are many possible career paths you could take. In terms of higher education, you can study Linguistics, Creative Writing, Journalism, Media and much more. Career opportunities include Publishing, Content Creation, Public Relations and Human Resources.
Examinations and Assessments
Paper 1 – Language Variation: 2 hours 15 mins, 60 marks, 35% of the A-level.
- Section A – Individual Variation: One question on two unseen 21st-century linked texts/data.
- Section B – Variation over Time: One question on two unseen texts/data, from two different periods.
Paper 2 – Child Language: 1 hour 15 mins, 45 marks, 20% of the A-level.
- Students answer one question based on a set of unseen data – either spoken or written. Students produce an extended response.
Paper 3 – Investigating Language: 1 hour 45 mins, 45 marks, 25% of the A-level.
- Section A: One question on unseen data. Students must answer the question on the subtopic they have researched (AO1, AO2, AO3 assessed).
- Section B: One evaluative question. Students must answer the question on the subtopic they have researched and also make connections with data from their investigation.
NEA Coursework (Non-Examined Assessment):
The NEA coursework consists of two assignments with a combined total of 50 marks, worth 20% of the A-level. These assignments are internally marked and externally moderated. The collective word count for both assignments is equal to 2500-3000 words. The advisory word count breakdown can be found below:
- Assignment 1 – (1500-2000 words, 30 marks): two pieces of original writing from the same genre, differentiated by function and/or audience (AO5 assessed).
- Assignment 2 – (1000 words, 20 marks): one commentary, reflecting on the two pieces of original writing produced and making connections with research undertaken.
We provide a guaranteed exam space in one of our partner exam centres around the UK. Check where your closest exam centre is
During your course, you will also be required to complete various assignments. These do not contribute towards your final grade but provide you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor for marking and feedback. This will help you to gauge your progress as you work through the course. There is no coursework to complete.
Entry Requirements
It is strongly recommended that you have studied the English Language GCSE or equivalent level before starting this course. This A-level English syllabus is a difficulty level three: the equivalent difficulty of an A-level or BTEC, usually suitable for most learners of all ages.