A Level English Language

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Key Facts

Level: 3
Attendance: Full Time (FT)
Duration: 2 Years
Course Code: A1OELN
Start Date: September 2025

Code: A1OELN

Our A Level qualification in English Language provides students with a deep knowledge of how the English language works and encourages them to engage creatively within areas of topical debate. Learners will explore language use in various contexts and will carry out an independent investigation in an area of particular interest to them.

Upon the completion of the course students will gain a solid understanding of how the English language works in a variety of contexts. It is advised that students who are considering to sign up for the course should have an interest and find enjoyment in analysing the linguistic features of both written and spoken texts. In return, they will develop essential skills in linguistic analysis and a working knowledge of English language concepts.

Studying English Language at A level is very different from GCSE. The course takes a theory based approach to analysing language, it challenges students to observe language use around us in context.

Features & Benefits

Studying with us will give you the opportunity to find answer to questions such as:

  • To what extent would language use be gender specific?
  • What linguistic techniques might the media, advertisers and politicians use in order to influence our way of thinking?
  • To what extent might our language have changed due to technology and is this change beneficial or harmful to the English language?
  • How do children learn to speak?

The details of the course specification can be found at: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-english-language-h070-h470-from-2015

Course Content

In Year 12, you will study:

  • How to carry out a through linguistic analysis of a variety of written texts.
  • Ways to effectively compare the linguistic differences and similarities between spoken and written language.
  • Original writing for a real-world purpose on various topical language issues.
  • How issues relating to language and gender or language and power influence particular authentic texts.
  • How children acquire language and how to analyse features of child language acquisition in transcripts.

In Year 13, you will study:

  • Language and technology
  • Language in the media
  • How language changes over time

Year 13 Non-Examined Assessment (NEA/coursework): 20%
Coursework content:

  • Task 1 – A linguistic investigation into an area of each learner's particular individual interest
  • Task 2 – Designing an academic poster

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements
All Loughborough College Sixth Form courses have minimum entry requirements of at least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language and Maths.

Subject Specific Entry Requirements
GCSE English Language at grade 5.

Progression

English Language provides excellent preparation for the workplace and for university.

The analytical and communication skills you learn provide a good basis for higher level study in a wide range of subjects. The majority of our learners decide to take the following career paths: journalism, creative writing, teaching, academic career, web design, marketing and advertising, public relations and law.

Why Loughborough?

94%

of learners said the College campus provides a safe environment

90%

of learners said staff valued students views and opinions about their study programme

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