Description
This International A Level English Language Distance Learning course will encourage you to plan and structure shorter and extended responses, either for specified audiences or for a more general readership, and then to write with originality and flair as directed.
You will learn about significant topics in the English Language which will be supplemented with opportunities for guided independent research to ensure you have relevant information about significant changes and developments. You will read model or sample answers which will help you evaluate your own work.
Progression
The A Level English Language qualification will allow you to progress onto further study at University or College. The subject would support job roles within Copywriting, Publishing, Journalism and Social Media.
Subjects which complement the A Level in English Language include English Literature, History and Classical Studies.
Cambridge Specification
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Course Code: 9093
Study Hours: Recommended 300 – 360 hrs
Exams Available: June & November (also March in India only)
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
This Cambridge International AS Level English Language provides learners with opportunities to make critical and informed responses to a wide range of texts. Learners will also demonstrate their ability to produce writing to specific briefs and for given audiences.
Cambridge International A Level English Language learners will also develop a strong foundation in the study of linguistics, focusing on language change, child language acquisition, spoken language, English in the world, and language and the self.
How will I benefit from the International A Level English Language Cambridge course?
The aims are to enable students to:
- enjoy the experience of studying English language
- develop a critical and informed response to texts in a range of forms, styles and contexts, produced for a variety of audiences
- communicate effectively, creatively, accurately and appropriately in their writing
- develop the interdependent skills of reading, analysis and research
- develop an appreciation of concepts and techniques in the study of English language
- build a firm foundation for further study of language and linguistics.
Key Concepts
The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level English Language are:
Text and context
A text can be defined as a single, coherent unit of language, from the briefest spoken utterance to a book published across several volumes. However, no text exists without context; students of English language must always consider how a text’s meaning is informed by the circumstances not only of its production, but also of its communication and reception.
Meaning and style
The study of English language involves developing a range of strategies for exploring the complex ways in which different linguistic elements come together to create meaning. Whether producing their own texts or analysing texts produced by others, students of English language must consider how choices regarding form, structure and language also interact to create a distinctive style.
Audience
Students of English language must learn to identify and analyse the strategies writers and speakers use to communicate with their intended audience(s). Likewise, they must be able to predict, recognise and analyse the various responses these strategies might elicit.
Creativity
Whether writing artfully for a specified purpose and audience, reading deeply between the lines of a challenging text, or developing strategies for acquiring the language in the first place, users of the English language must demonstrate creativity in a range of forms and contexts.
Diversity
Constantly subject to a range of influences – whether personal, social, geographical or otherwise – the English language exists in a range of competing and overlapping forms at any given moment. This extraordinary diversity offers a rich opportunity for analysis, comparison and exploration.
Change
The phonological, morphological, semantic, syntactic and other aspects of the English language are liable to change over time. Students of English language must analyse these changes and explore in detail the factors that drive them.
Cambridge English Language Content Overview
YEAR 1 – IAS
Section 1 Introduction to AS Level English Language
1.1 Understanding context, audience and purpose
1.2 Understanding form and structure
1.3 Exploring language and style
1.4 Voice and viewpoint
1.5 Analysing texts
1.6 Key writing skills
Section 2 Exploring text types
2.1 Personal writing
2.2 Writing to review and comment
2.3 Writing to persuade and advise
2.4 Writing to argue and discuss
2.5 Writing to narrate and describe
Section 3 Reading skills – directed response
3.1 What is directed response?
3.2 Planning your directed response
3.3 Matching tone to purpose and audience
3.4 Comparing form, structure and language
3.5 Practice and self-assessment
Section 4 Reading skills – text analysis
4.1 What is text analysis?
4.2 Understanding and analysing the text
4.3 Planning your response
4.4 Practice and self-assessment
Section 5 Writing skills – shorter writing and reflective commentary
5.1 What is shorter writing and reflective commentary?
5.2 Developing a shorter written response
5.3 Writing a reflective commentary
5.4 Practice and self-assessment
Section 6 Writing skills – extended writing
6.1 What is extended writing?
6.2 Developing an imaginative or descriptive response
6.3 Developing a discursive response
6.4 Developing a critical response or review
6.5 Practice and self-assessment
YEAR 2 – IA2
Section 7 Language change
7.1 How has English changed?
7.2 How language changes
7.3 Language change in the digital world
7.4 Theories of language change
7.5 Collecting and analysing data
7.6 Measuring language change
7.7 Practice and self-assessment
Section 8 Child language acquisition
8.1 Features of spoken language
8.2 Conversational interaction
8.3 Transcribing speech
8.4 The main stages of early language development
8.5 Language development from five to eight years
8.6 The functions of children’s language
8.7 Theories of language acquisition
8.8 Practice and self-assessment
Section 9 English in the world
9.1 The status of English
9.2 Whose English is it anyway?
9.3 Varieties of English
9.4 British and American English
9.5 Language dominance and language death
9.6 Practice and self-assessment
Section 10 Language and the self
10.1 Language and self-identity
10.2 Theories of language and self-identity
10.3 Language and thought
10.4 Language and social identity
10.5 Teenage and gender group identity
10.6 The language of inclusion and exclusion
10.7 Speech sounds and accents
10.8 Practice and self-assessment
Cambridge Assessment
There are three routes learners can take when completing exams for the English Language course with Cambridge
- AS Level Qualification only – Learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting.
- Full A Level over 2 years – At the end of year 1, learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting. In a separate exam sitting at the end of year 2, learners then take all A2 papers (Paper 3 & Paper 4). If learners achieve a pass in all four papers, they will be awarded their Full A Level in English Language.
- Full A Level – Learners take all papers for AS and A2 in one sitting (Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 & Paper 4).
Exam Papers
Paper 1: Reading
Written Examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
Availability: June and November
Assessment Overview: Candidates answer two compulsory questions: Question 1 in Section A, and Question 2 in Section B.
50 marks
Paper 2: Writing
Time: 2 hours
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer two questions: one compulsory question from Section A, and one question from a choice of three in Section B.
50 marks
Paper 3: Language Analysis
Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview. Candidates answer two compulsory questions: Question 1 in Section A, and Question 2 in Section B.
50 marks
Paper 4: Language Topics
Practical examination: 2 hours 15 minutes
Availability: June and November
Assessment overview:
Candidates answer two compulsory questions each on a separate topic area: Question 1 in Section A, and Question 2 in Section B
50 marks
Edexcel Specification
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Specification codes: XEN01/ YEN01
Edexcel Exams: January & June
Edexcel Study Hours: 300 – 360 hours
Students of our Edexcel International A Level English Language course will study the English Language in a global context, including the influence of other languages on the development of English. New topics with an international focus include ‘Contemporary Global English’ and ‘Language and Technology’.
How will I benefit from the International A Level English Language Edexcel course?
The aims and objectives of these qualifications are to enable students to:
- develop and apply their understanding of the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis and study of language
- explore data and examples of language in use
- engage creatively and critically with a varied programme for the study of English
- develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language
- independently investigate language in use.
The key concepts for Edexcel International AS & A Level English Language are:
Structure
The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in English Language and the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in English Language are modular qualifications. The Advanced Subsidiary can be claimed on completion of the International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS) units. The International Advanced Level can be claimed on completion of all the units (IAS and IA2 units).
Content
The content is relevant for international students as it covers up to date, relevant and engaging to an international audience using a combination of classic and international texts.
Assessment
100% externally assessed with exams in January and June.
Approach
These qualifications have independent learning and critical thinking skills incorporating synoptic assessment at International Advanced Level 2.
Edexcel English Language Content Overview
YEAR 1 – IAS
1.Language: Context and identity
- The range of contexts in which language is produced and received
- How the contexts of production and reception affect language choices
- How writers/speakers present themselves to their audience in a variety of modes
- How writers/speakers choose language to reflect and construct their identity or identities
- How writers create texts for different forms, purposes, audiences, and contexts.
2.Language in Transition
- The influence of other languages on the development of English
- Pidgins and creoles
- The development of English outside the British Isles.
- Students will explore the ways in which languages change, with a focus on English in a global context.
- Students will need to know about the mechanisms of language change but they will not need to study the historical development of English.
YEAR 2 – IA2
3. Crafting Language (writing)
- Study a range of specified writing genres and appropriate style models
- Demonstrate their skills as writers in re-creating texts for different context, purpose and audience.
4. Investigating Language
- Students will select one research focus from four topic areas:
- Contemporary Global English
- Children’s Language Development
- Language and Power
- Language and Technology
Students will:
- Develop their research and investigation skills
- Undertake a focused investigation of their selected topic
- Apply their knowledge of language levels and key language concepts developed through the whole course
- Develop a personal language specialism.
Edexcel Assessment
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in English Language
This qualification consists of two externally-examined units. The International Advanced Subsidiary is the first half of the International Advanced Level qualification and consists of two IAS units, Units 1 and 2. This qualification may be awarded as a discrete qualification or may contribute 50 per cent towards the International Advanced Level qualification.
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in English Language
This qualification consists of four externally-examined units. The International Advanced Level consists of the two IAS units (Units 1 and 2) plus two IA2 units (Units 3 and 4). Students wishing to take the International Advanced Level must, therefore, complete all four units.
Exam Papers
Paper 1: Language: Context and identity
Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
Availability: January & June
Assessment overview:
Students answer two compulsory questions: one question from Section A and one question from Section B.
50 marks
Paper 2: Language in Transition
Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
Availability: January & June
Assessment overview:
Students answer two compulsory questions: one question from Section A and one question from Section B based on unseen transcripts. The unseen transcripts are presented in a Source Booklet for students.
50 marks
Paper 3: Crafting Language (writing)
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January & June
Assessment overview:
Students answer two compulsory questions: One from Section A and one from Section B.
50 marks.
Paper 4: Investigating Language
Written Examination: 2 hours
Availability: January & June
Assessment overview:
Pre-released materials will be provided in order for students to focus their research. For each topic a subtopic pre-released on the website (in May for the January examination series and in January for the June examination series).
Students answer two compulsory questions on one overall subtopic: one question from Section A and one question from Section B.
50 marks.
