A Level English Language 2025-26

Let us first begin with the most obvious statement; English Language at A Level is vastly different from English Language at GCSE – you’ll be remiss not to give it a try!

Studying A Level English Language invites students to explore the language used in everyday life, from Tweets to tabloid newspapers, Snapchat’s to charity adverts. You will explore how language can be subtly manipulated to persuade us and how the language used by individuals can be forensically investigated to solve crimes. You will reflect on how the language you use to craft your identities can reveal a lot about your own sexuality, gender, age, ethnicity and occupation. From there, you will explore how children up to the age of eight years old acquire their spoken and written language skills; the perfect subject compliment for those wishing to go into Primary Education or Speech and Language Therapy.

In year two, you will go on a journey through time to discover how the English language came to be one of the most dominant linguistic forces in the world. You will be given time to engage in language creatively by crafting your own works of English whether that be fiction or non-fiction and finally end the course with an investigation into a given topic such as how language can be politically or personally powerful or how the English language differs around the world.

Year 12
We begin the course with Language and Context. This module is the only one to closely resemble GCSE English Language and you will explore how language is used in different ways across written, spoken and electronic texts.

Language and Identity is a fascinating topic which explores how gender, age, region, occupation and sexuality can affect our language usage. You will explore how individuals are represented through the language they use.

Child Language Acquisition is a popular topic amongst students and one which allows us to reflect on our own language journeys. We will explore how spoken and written language skills are acquired by children and the methods used to enable language to be used effectively.

Grammar underpins all English Language usage and will be interwoven into the course throughout the two years.

Year 13
Language Variation Over Time takes you on a journey through the linguistic ages as we determine how Britain’s Celtic origins and many invasions have shaped the language we use today. We will explore how and why English has become a dominant linguistic force in the world.

There are many potential career opportunities that English Literature affords its students such as: teaching, publishing, copy-writing and editing, social media management, speech and language therapy, marketing and many more!

Higher Education courses or careers that either require A Level English or are strongly related include Teaching, Law, History, Drama & Theatre Studies and Media.

For A Level English Language you will need a grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language or Literature.

For a three A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of five 9 - 4 grade passes at GCSE which include English
and mathematics.

For a four A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of six 9 - 4 grade passes at GCSE which include English and
mathematics; it is expected that the majority of passes will be at 9 - 7 grade.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Year 12 – Two mock exams. A grade of D or above is required to progress onto Year 13.

Year 13 – Three formal exams and one portfolio of coursework. Our chosen exam board is Pearson Edexcel.

Alongside this, you will be researching and analysing your own and others' work to support your progress. Then developing your ideas and, under timed examination conditions producing an outcome.

September 2025

Two years, full time.