A level English Language and Literature

Qualification AS / A2

Examination Board WJEC

Course Description A level English language and literature provides an introduction to the discipline of advanced literary studies and presents opportunities for reading widely and making creative and informed responses to each of the major literary genres (poetry, prose and drama) as well as non-literary and spoken language texts.

AS units of study (the first year):

LL1: Critical reading of literary and non-literary texts

Section A: poetry (pre-1900 anthology + unseen text)

Section B: prose (currently Stuart:
A Life Backwards, Alexander Masters and Once in a House on Fire, Andrea Ashworth)

LL2: Creative writing

3 tasks (2 creative, 1 commentary)

A2 Units of study (the second year):

LL3: analysing and producing Performance Texts

Section A: dramatic texts in context (currently Shakespeare, The Tempest and 1 other play)

Section B: producing Texts for Performance (original writing and commentary)

LL4: comparative textual analysis and review

Section A: comparative analysis
(of 3 unseen) texts

Section B: Reviewing approaches (currently Wuthering Heights).

Assessment 40% internal assessment, 60% external examination

Entry 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C including English language and maths, with a grade C or above in English.

Progression English language and literature studentsdevelop a wide range of skills that are valuable to employers including: how to argue a point, how to think independently, to summarise and précis, to write and speak well, to present information effectively and to work as part of a team. Many students apply to, and are offered places at, university to study courses such as English literature, linguistics and journalism.