Course Type: A Level

The English Language and Literature course will help you to discover how writers and speakers use their voice to engage, and even manipulate, readers.

You will be examining how authors and orators use their art to persuade you to think or act differently – how they use words to take you to another place, another time, another world.

Consequently, you will become more skilled at writing and speaking, which are key transferable skills and lifelong assets and skills which will lead to a greater ability to engage the people in your life and get more out of your relationships, both socially and professionally.

The Assessment

Paper 1 (2 hour 30 mins) – Split into two sections. Section A is Voices in 20th- and 21st century Texts where you write one comparative essay question on one unseen extract and one text from the anthology. Then Section B is Drama Texts where you write one extract-based essay question on the play you have studied in class.

Paper 2 (2 hour 30 mins) – Split into two sections. Section A is Unseen Prose Non-fiction Texts where you write one essay question on an unseen prose non-fiction extract. Then section B is Prose Fiction and Other Genres where you write one comparative essay question on two texts studied in class. 

Coursework – Split into three parts. Two pieces of original writing: one fiction writing and one non-fiction writing. Then one analytical commentary reflecting on your studied texts and the pieces of writing you have produced.

Skills / Employability

Studying English language and literature equips you with a broad range of skills that can be applied to many jobs and career paths, such as:

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Verbal and presentation skills
• Constructing arguments
• Creative writing and storytelling
• Creative thinking and problem solving
• Research skills
• Communication skills
• Broader knowledge of literature and 20th and 21st century history
• Understanding different cultures
• Effective communication skills

Where could it take you?

An A Level in English Language and Literature can open many different, varied careers and many of those will give you the opportunity to be creative in the work that you do.

Some examples include:

• Journalism
• Publishing
• Advertising and Marketing
• Media
• Public Relations

In the past our students have gone on to study and pursue careers in a wide range of subjects and sectors such as: Journalism, Education, Literature, Interior Design, Marketing and Film and Media.

Course Requirements

A minimum of a Level 6 in either English Literature or Language GCSE.

Additional Information

If you’re a prolific reader then the English Language and Literature A Level course is the one for you. Perhaps you’ve read Dickens’ complete back catalogue, or maybe you can quote Shakespeare by heart, or even have a secret BookTok account. If reading is your passion, then you will have already been helping to develop one of the key skills needed to complete an English A Level successfully.