HGS English Language and Literature

Course Overview

This English Language and Literature course offers opportunities for you to develop your subject expertise by engaging creatively, critically and independently with a wide range of texts. You will learn to use literary and linguistic concepts and methods to analyse literary and non-literary texts from a range of modes and genres. You will develop your skills as writers and your skills in analysis through essay writing and re-creative writing.

Course Content

You will study a range of set texts throughout the course. These will consist of a collection of themed non-fiction texts (including autobiography, advertisements and transcripts of speech), a drama text, a collection of poetry and classic prose fiction.

Currently, our set texts include The Great Gatsby, A Streetcar Named Desire, Frankenstein and the poetry of Seamus Heaney. Please be aware that there can be slight changes to this list.

The course will be assessed as follows:

• Paper 1: Telling Stories (non-fiction anthology, prose fiction and poetry anthology) – written examination.

• Paper 2: Exploring Conflict (re-creative writing based on a prose set text with critical commentary and study of a play) – written examination.

• Non-exam Assessment: Making Connections (an independent investigation on a chosen theme and texts) – centre assessed and moderated by the exam board.

English Language and Literature is a useful introduction to further study of linguistics and/or literature. English qualifications open doors to many careers and higher/ further education courses, and provide you with the skills you need for effective and sophisticated written and spoken communication.

Course Entry Requirements

5 or above in GCSE English Language or Literature

Course Specification

AQA 7707

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/specifications/AQA-7706-7707-SP-2015.PDF

Homework

At A Level, students are expected to complete a minimum of  5 hours of study a week on top of their allocated lesson time.