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English Language (A-level)Apply Now »
Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form
Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Years: 2
Adult Loan Amount: 1987.00****
Interview: Y
Course Summary
English Language A-level is very different from what you may be used to in your GCSE studies. It involves the linguistic analysis of a range of different types of spoken and written texts. This A-level complements many other subjects and can help in a range of careers such as teaching and journalism.
Entry requirements
You will need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English Language at grade 6 (C/B) and Maths at grade 4 (C).
A recent school report will be required which demonstrates a committed attitude to learning.
It is assumed that students enrol on a two-year A-level programme of study consisting of three or more subjects. However, students will be expected to demonstrate a committed attitude to learning and make positive progress in their first year of study.
Course Content
First year:
- Close linguistic analysis of a wide range of authentic texts
- Social varieties of English
Second year:
- Original writing for a 'real world' purpose (coursework)
- Research into a language area of individual interest (coursework)
- Analysis of how children acquire language
- How English changes over time
How will I be assessed?
The course will be assessed via two 2.5 hour written examinations at the end of the second year. Each paper is worth 40% of the mark (i.e. 80% in total).
A coursework project in the second year - worth 20% of the mark - will be on independent research into a chosen area of language and will include a piece of original writing.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
No
What can I do after this course?
This qualification is a useful foundation for a course in higher education or for employment. Career prospects include roles in teaching, advertising, media, recruitment consultancy, publishing, human resources, journalism and secretarial work.
Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form
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Hannah McDonald
Confidence gained in English lectures helps A level student Hannah secure policing role
Confidence gained in English lectures helps A level student Hannah secure policing role Learning how to share her opinion, build her vocabulary and speak more effectively has given former Derby College A Levels student Hannah McDonald a good grounding for a career with the police.
Hannah, who is 18 and from Newton, is soon to become a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) following a rigorous recruitment procedure.
She has also secured a place on the Professional Policing BA (Hons) degree course at Nottingham Trent University, deferred until September 2021.
In her PCSO role, Hannah will be based in Ripley and Chesterfield, supporting Derbyshire Police by going into schools to talk about issues such as knife crime and road safety.
Hannah, who took law, psychology and combined English Literature and English Language A levels at Joseph Wright Centre, found her English lecturers especially helpful.
She said: “I’d thought English was all about reading books but it’s about so much more. It’s about being put under pressure and trusting your opinions enough to share them or put them in an essay, because English is so subjective and there’s never a wrong answer. In our English classes we gave PowerPoint presentations to the class, so we got used to sharing our ideas and opinions.
The course also enhanced my communication skills. It enabled me to build up my vocabulary to speak more effectively.”
These abilities gave Hannah the confidence to volunteer at a local primary school, helping children with maths and English, on her Wednesday mornings off from College – experience which she is sure led to her getting her PCSO role.
She added: “There aren’t many PCSO places so it’s extremely competitive and it was a tough recruitment process. My English lecturers were incredibly supportive in helping me prepare my application, even though we’ve not been at College for months because of lockdown.
Going to JWC has definitely been confidence-building and a good grounding for my police career. My English teachers taught me how to speak up for myself and not be afraid to give my opinion.”
There aren’t many PCSO places so it’s extremely competitive and it was a tough recruitment process. My English lecturers were incredibly supportive in helping me prepare my application, even though we’ve not been at College for months because of lockdown.
“Going to JWC has definitely been confidence-building and a good grounding for my police career. My English teachers taught me how to speak up for myself and not be afraid to give my opinion.
