Subject Intent: Why English Language & Literature?
In the English Language and Literature curriculum, students are encouraged to develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language, reflecting on how writers convey messages and how they can use writing to convey messages of their own. Students will develop an analytical lexicon comprising of key linguistic and literary terms that they can apply to any seen or unseen text. The analytical commentary that forms part of the curriculum allows students to develop not only their self-awareness, but an ability to evaluate how the texts they have written fit within wider literary and linguistic traditions. The many skills developed across the course equip students for success, not only in English, but in other subjects and the wider world.
What will I study?
In Year 12 and 13 you will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts:
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
- A collection of Romantic poetry.
- An anthology of non-fiction writing, entitled ‘Voices’.
- Unseen prose.
English Language & Literature
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
This course is the perfect A-level for anyone who loves reading great works and writing original material. We cover a wide variety of texts, from classic literature such as Wuthering Heights to modern editorial articles and political speeches. In lessons, you can expect us to engage in detailed analysis, exciting discussions and independent research.
The course also offers more opportunity for original writing than any of our other English A-levels. Coursework involves creating two pieces of original writing, one fiction and the other non fiction, giving you the chance to broaden your reading and develop your creative writing skills.
The majority of students choose to go on to university and we have some excellent links with a range of HE institutions who can offer our students subject specific seminars and taster sessions. We also offer the chance to visit Howarth to help students immerse themselves in the world of Emily Brontë.
What our
students
In this course, I thoroughly enjoy dissecting and critically assessing character’s complex personalities, themes, literary and historical context, and discussing a multitude of motives in a play/ novel. Additionally, everything is open to interpretation and you can always explore texts in a variety of different ways.
Humaira Tabassum, Feversham College
