A Guide to A Level English Courses

A Guide to A Level English Courses Why Study English at A Level? ChaptersA Level English LiteratureEnglish Language A LevelA Level English Past PapersExam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelA Level English Courses For AdultsYou may be asking yourself why English as a subject is so important; what more can you possibly learn about the UK’s primary language after speaking it fluently as a result of growing up in Britain or by learning it at school for all of those years? More importantly, why choose it as one of your A Level choices when there is a diverse range of subjects on offer?Learning English: A Core Skill For BusinessEnglish is a core subject up to GCSE level in the United Kingdom, and with good reason. The majority of employers in the UK will require candidates to display at least a pass in English and Mathematics as an indication of their overall academic competency, with their English result being a good indicator of their ability to communicate well.A proficient English speaker will open themselves up to far more opportunities for w ork abroad, since the language is widely spoken across the globe and is particularly important in business.Find a GCSE English tutor on Superprof.English: An important language in business. Photo via VisualHunt.comNot only is a good acquisition of English vital in the international workplace, other countries in Europe and beyond see the English language as an authoritative language, which makes a solid grasp of the rules of English all the more powerful.By obtaining a better understanding of its make up â€" including spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction - you may also find it easier to learn foreign languages by applying the same rules.Looking for an English tutor in London?What Skills Can You Expect To Develop By Studying English?So, why focus your efforts on English Literature? Studying literary texts helps you to sharpen your observatory and analytical skills. Being able to identify themes and connect them with historical events and cultural influences opens y our mind up to complex ideas and theories.Moreover, English Literature can be like five lessons in one, teaching you about History, Culture and Philosophy, whilst highlighting behavioural changes in humans from one century to another.A Level English Language, whether being taught at college or as a distance-learning course, ultimately helps to develop a student’s ability to understand, speak and write in English for a variety of purposes. Literature-based courses additionally encourage students to engage with a range of texts whilst analysing complex varieties in language across the times.Coursework and exam grades from your first year of study may not count towards your final result, however they will still be determining factors in your predicted grades.Exam Boards Assessing English LiteratureThe principal exam boards that assess English Literature at A Level are AQA, Edexcel and OCR, meanwhile Eduqas and WJEC are also popular choices in some schools and colleges across the coun try.Each board has a slightly different approach to assessment yet they share a common purpose - to encourage wide reading and to develop the student’s love of English Literature.Career Opportunities For English Literature GraduatesBecome a writer or blogger. Photo via VisualHunt.comThough many believe that studying English Literature only lends itself to a teaching profession, the subject does in fact open up a vast range of career opportunities.Aside from the obvious links to professions in teaching and writing, English graduates can apply the skills they have acquired to any position that requires analytical thinking, strong communication or imagination and creativity.English Language A LevelAn Introduction to A Level English LanguageStudying towards an A Level in English Language enables you to get a better grasp of what is known as the number one business language. The course will help you to convey your thoughts and opinions concisely and allow you to distinguish subtleties in speech and writing.Being a native or fluent English speaker does not make you an expert in the language; throughout your course you will identify the ways in which language changes according to audience, context and the user’s intent.In addition, you will learn about the development of the English language over time, different dialects, how children learn to speak English and, finally, you will develop your own writing skills.English Language A Level Course ContentThough courses vary from one exam board to another, the core topics and themes will have similarities no matter which you are enrolled on. These may include the study of Spoken English, Identity, Language and Gender, Early Child Acquisition, Language and Diversity, Reading and Writing, and many more.You will ultimately discover language during the course, including the ways in which it can be used plus different methods of interaction, not forgetting the investigation of linguistic variations and historical changes.Ty pical Workload For English Language A LevelUnlike A Level English Literature, English Language students are not required to carry out extensive reading, but they are expected to get to grips with some advanced linguistic terminology in order to achieve the higher grades.Secondary reading is always recommended to help you expand your vocabulary of terminology and also to put you in a better position to participate in analytical discussions and debates, whether assessed or not.Exam Boards Assessing English LanguageEdexcel, OCR and WJEC are once again the predominant exam boards chosen by mainstream schools and colleges in the UK. Despite the syllabi all showing similarities in content, students may notice disparities when it comes to assessment, as all three adopt differing exam and coursework marking schemes. What you can be sure of is that all exams will incorporate the knowledge you have accumulated during the course of your AS year, as well as your more recent A Level modules.Care er Opportunities For English Language GraduatesAn A Level in English Language is a great asset to any individual looking to study English at university and/or hoping to pursue a career which involves verbal or written communication.The qualification is key to many professions, including Journalist, Writer, Blogger, Editor, Translator, Teacher, Linguist and Publisher.On the other hand, the skills acquired will also benefit a range of jobs in other industries, since language and communication skills are essential to many roles. Far from limiting your choices in the future, English Language offers you many options.Revision Guides For Different Exam BoardsRevision guides, along with past papers, can be found on most exam board websites. Be sure to consult your own exam board though, as the marking scheme will differ from one board to the next meaning that revision tips may diverge.The AQA website, as an example, has a dedicated online resource centre, however official revision guides pu blished in conjunction with the exam board can be bought from shops like Amazon.Where To Find Online Revision Help For English A LevelAs an English pupil, you may be accustomed to reading books as part of your revision. However, some of the best revision help for English exams can be found online.Student discussion boards are a great way to discover fresh ideas and opinions concerning your chosen texts, and it may additionally help for AS students to get advice from peers working towards their final A Level exams.As well as online forums, English students can find helpful revision tips across a range of educational sites. These websites are often set up by or created in conjunction with teaching professionals with experience of the latest syllabi.Exam Timetables/Grading for English A LevelFind A Level English Exam TimetablesProvisional timetables, including those for English Language and Literature, will be given to your teacher or English tutors in advance, along with any other imp ortant dates. Final exam timetables will later be confirmed, highlighting any major amendments.Students may also consult the exam board for assessment-related queries, including exam duration and regulations for candidates. OCR, for instance, lists all of its exams and the dates on which they will be carried out in .pdf format via its website.It is imperative that you know exactly where you need to be, on what date and at what time when taking exams.If you are late for your A Level exam for any reason, you risk being forbidden to take part in the assessment. This could well affect your final grade. If you intend to travel to your exam centre by car or public transport, ensure that you leave in plenty of time to reduce the risk of being caught up in traffic.Equally, if you plan to walk, practise your route the day before so that you are confident in how long your journey takes. The worry of arriving late is the last thing you need on the day of your exam!What Do English A Level Grade s Mean?A Level results are awarded differently to GCSEs. At this higher level, anything above an ‘E’ grade is classed as a pass, with the newly introduced ‘A*’ being the highest achievement. Each grade is subsequently equivalent to a certain number of points, which is relevant to those considering a university degree.To find out the minimum grade you need for your desired course and how many UCAS points you require, you can consult the body’s website which offers more information for prospective students.At one time, your AS Level year counted towards your final grade, which seems a good idea since there are less distractions and fewer reasons to feel stressed. Now, however, exams are the preferred method of assessment for A Levels.On the other hand, students should bear in mind that universities will still see their AS grades, and those results will have been used by tutors to predict their final grade (which, as you know, is what universities base their offers on).How Is English A Level Marked?As we now know, to pass your A Level you will need to achieve a grade in the region of ‘A*’ - ‘E’ (an ‘Unclassified’ or ‘U’ grade unfortunately means that you have failed the course). But how are these grades worked out to reveal your final qualification in the subject? Do certain modules count for more than others? These are questions that you should be asking your teacher or tutor. In the unlikely event that they cannot help with your queries, you should consult your exam board to find out about their assessment methods.The majority of exams follow a Uniform Mark Scale (UMS), which defines grade boundaries for A Level subjects. An average UMS mark of 90% across all A2 modules results in an ‘A*’. Meanwhile, 80%+ is an ‘A’, 70-79% is a ’B’, 60-69% is a ‘C’, 50-59% awards a ‘D’ grade and, finally, 40-49% is the equivalent of an ‘E’. Anything below 40% is deemed off the pass scale and will result in course failure.As you can see, it is vital that you achieve good grades in all modules to keep your average score up. Those who excel in certain areas but struggle in others might find that their weaknesses bring their overall grade down. The importance of knowing your mark scheme can therefore not be reiterated enough.A Level English Courses For AdultsStudying English at A Level is no different for older students; they too are encouraged to read widely and develop a love for English Language and Literature. Colleges across the UK offer opportunities for enrolment, but if it is a distance course you require then your best bet is to research and consult an Open Study establishment of your choice.English A Level courses for adults. Photo via VisualHuntCourses vary in price however most course leaders are up front about the financial requirements of enrolment. You may be required to submit your existing qualifications, to check that you qualify for the course.How To Independently Enrol On English A Level Co ursesMature students are able to enrol on English A Level Courses by funding an online course or by paying for tuition at an independent college.If you are completing a distance-learning course, you will more than likely be required to arrange and pay for your examinations at an approved centre, a list of which is normally provided by your personal tutor. It is possible to take the A Level exam without receiving mentoring yet this is discouraged as tutors are trained to guide you through the course and help you to work towards your desired grade.The Benefits of An English A Level For AdultsA good English A Level result is essential for those looking to further their studies in the subject, for instance if enrolling on a degree course linked to English. However, an A Level can also be a very valuable qualification if you are looking to progress in your current employment or retrain for a new career path.Furthermore, many adults choose to re-sit their secondary education exams for the ir own personal achievement or gratitude. Regardless of your reasons, an English course is guaranteed to make you think and feel things in different ways than before.