A- Level: English Language

Specifications For Year 12

Paper 1: Language and the Individual

What’s assessed: Textual variations and representations Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed: written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of AS level

Questions

Textual Variations and Representations

Two texts, linked by topic or theme.

• A question requiring analysis of one text (25 marks)
• A question requiring analysis of a second text (25 marks)
• A question requiring comparison of the two texts (20 marks)

Paper 2: Language and Varieties

What’s assessed: Language diversity Writing skills Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed: written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of AS level

Questions

Section A – Language Diversity

A discursive essay on language diversity, with a choice of two questions (30 marks)

Section B – Language Discourses

A directed writing task on attitudes to language (40 marks)

• Textual variations and representations Children’s language development (0-11 years)
• Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed: written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A-level

Questions

Section A – Textual Variations and Representations

Two texts (one contemporary and one older text) linked by topic or theme.

• A question requiring analysis of one text (25 marks)
• A question requiring analysis of a second text (25 marks)
• A question requiring comparison of the two texts (20 marks)

Section B – Children’s Language Development

A discursive essay on children’s language development, with a choice of two questions where the data provided will focus on

• spoken, written or multimodal language (30 marks)

Paper 2: Language Diversity and Change

What’s assessed:

• Language diversity and change
• Language discourses
• Writing skills Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed: written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes 40% of A-level

Questions

Section A – Diversity and Change

One question from a choice of two:

Either an evaluative essay on language diversity (30 marks)

Or an evaluative essay on language change (30 marks)

Section B – Language Discourses

Two texts about a topic linked to the study of diversity and change

A question requiring analysis of how the texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions (40 marks)

A directed writing task linked to the same topic and the ideas in the texts (30 marks)

Non-exam Assessment: Language in Action

What’s assessed:

Language Investigation Original Writing Methods of language analysis are integrated into the activities

Assessed by teachers, moderated by AQA, 20% of A-level

Tasks

Students produce:

• A language investigation (2,000 words excluding data)
• A piece of original writing and commentary (1,500 words total)