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English, Film & Communications
Students wishing to study English can choose between English Literature, English Language and Literature and English
Language. All include 40% coursework at both AS and A2. The differences between the courses are explained below.
Through your study of a variety of differing texts, English will broaden your experience of literature, help you to discover how writers
use language to explore and communicate human experience and improve the accuracy and fluency of your own written style.
Best selling author SJ Watson “Before I go to sleep” and award winning poet Liz Berry are both former students of the college.
English
Language
This course is an analytical and
technical study of the English
language. You will study how
documents are constructed to
persuade or influence the reader.
You will learn about how texts work
for different audiences and
purposes, and explore a variety of
texts, closely looking at meanings,
structure and grammar in detail.
You will find the course more technical
and detailed than GCSE English
Language. You will analyse a variety of
texts across the broad spectrum of
written and spoken English including
newspapers, reviews, letters, diaries,
instructional writing, travel writing,
speech, creative writing and analyse
how language changes over time.
Coursework on this course is split
between creative writing and individual
language investigations on topics of
your own choice.
What can it lead to?
English Language can lead to the
study of linguistics or English language
at degree level, possibly in conjunction
with Modern Foreign Languages, Arts,
Social Sciences or Humanities
subjects. It is also an excellent
qualification for a very wide range of
professions.
Additional information
English language is a good choice to
combine with a wide variety of other
subjects, including Modern Foreign
Languages. It will not, however qualify
you to study English Literature at
degree level.
English
Language
& Literature
Do you enjoy all aspects of English
at GCSE? If so, this course could
be perfect as it combines the best
of Literature and Language.
You will study how language works
and why writers make certain choices
when writing descriptively. You will
have opportunities to develop
characters and plots through the
popular creative writing coursework
modules.
In the AS year you will study a poetry
anthology of around 30 poems, which
represent a range of poetry from
Chaucer to the present day. You will
also study two modern novels and
develop three pieces of creative
writing. During your A2 year you will
study additional texts and produce
your own creative writing such as a
script or screenplay.
Throughout the course you will
encounter a range of learning methods
and styles including discussion,
reading, note making, group work,
watching films of texts, drafting
coursework and exam essays.
What can it lead to?
This course can lead to the study of
English at degree level, possibly in
conjunction with modern languages,
classics, arts, social sciences or
humanities subjects. It is also an
excellent qualification for a very wide
range of professions, including
journalism and teaching.
Additional information
In addition to visits and talks from
professional writers you will have the
opportunity to see relevant theatrical
productions and bring your learning to
life through trips to Stratford-Upon-
Avon and The Globe Theatre, London.
English
Literature
A-level English literature is an
exciting and student centred course
involving a good deal of discussion
work, individual reading and
research, as well as group and pair
work leading to student
presentations.
At both AS and A2 you will study a
range of poetry, prose and drama
texts. You will be encouraged to be
an active reader and to offer opinions
and ideas based on your own
interpretations of literary texts, as well
as considering the opinions of others.
You will read a wide variety of texts
from different social and historical
contexts including Shakespeare. You
will also have the opportunity to write
creatively in response to your own
choice of prose text, as well as
comparing texts across a range of
genres and time periods. You will be
supported by a teacher in individual
consultation sessions when working
on coursework and will be encouraged
to read independently and choose
your own focus of study. You also
have opportunities to watch
performances of texts studied and
benefit from study days.
What can it lead to?
This course can lead to the study of
English at degree level, possibly in
conjunction with Modern Languages,
Classics, Arts, Social Sciences or
Humanities subjects. It is also an
excellent qualification for a very wide
range of professions, including
journalism and teaching.
Additional information
If you are intending to apply to one of
the top universities nationally, it is often
the case that an A level in literature is
looked upon particularly favourably by
these universities as you will have
carried out extensive reading and
critical analysis during the course.
www.kedst.ac.uk admissions@kedst.ac.uk