A Level English Language Topics by Exam Board: Full List
Written by: Angela Yates
Reviewed by: Nick Redgrove
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If you’re embarking on an A Level English Language course, you might feel a little confused about what your course covers and how it may differ from an English Literature course.
In this article, our expert teachers and examiners will explain exactly what is involved in your A Level English Language course. You’ll learn about what the OCR and Edexcel A Level English Language topics are and what your final exams and assessments will look like.
OCR A Level English Language topics
The OCR A Level English Language course is designed to help you develop analytical and critical reading skills through the study of various linguistic concepts, theories, and practical applications. As part of the course, you’ll be undertaking independent research and exploring real-world language use.
The course consists of three main components:
Exploring Language
Dimensions of Linguistic Variation
Independent Language Research (Non-Exam Assessment)
1. Exploring Language
This unit focuses on linguistic analysis and the application of language concepts to real-world contexts.
The key areas covered are:
Language under the microscope: You will study a range of texts and genres, exploring the lexical choices and grammatical features within each one.
Writing about a topical language issue: You will engage with a range of topical language issues and learn how to critically evaluate attitudes towards language and its usage. You’ll learn to demonstrate your critical and creative skills through writing your own original texts.
Comparing and contrasting texts: Analytical comparisons between different text types, including spoken and written forms.
2. Dimensions of Linguistic Variation
This unit gives you the chance to study the fascinating topics of how children learn language, how language is used across different media formats and the way that language has developed and evolved over time.
Studying these topics will provide you with a superb foundation for further study or careers in the fields of child development, media studies, or linguistics.
The key areas covered are:
Child language acquisition: Analysis of how children learn spoken language, including key theories and case studies.
Language in the media: Examination of language use in different media formats, including considerations of power, gender, and technology.
Language change: Investigation of historical language development and the factors influencing linguistic evolution.
3. Independent Language Research (Non-Exam Assessment)
This component involves an independent investigation into an area of language study of your choice. Your teacher will help you to choose an appropriate topic. You will be assessed not by a written exam, but by the production of an academic poster to summarise your independent research.
This method of assessment is an excellent preparation for study at university, where similar methods are often used to share current research findings.
This part of your course is worth 20% of your overall A Level English Language mark.
The key areas covered are:
Independent investigation: Researching a specific linguistic topic, applying appropriate methodologies and analysis.
Academic poster presentation: Summarising findings in a concise and visually accessible format suitable for academic display.
What is covered in OCR A Level English Language Paper 1?
OCR A Level English Language Paper 1 is called Exploring Language.
This written paper tests your learning on the Exploring Language part of the course.
The paper is divided into three sections:
Section A — Language under the microscope:
One question in two parts. In the first part you will identify and analyse a lexical feature in a short sample of written text. In the second part you will identify and analyse the use of a grammatical feature.
This part of the paper is worth 20 marks.
Section B — Writing about a topical language issue:
A short piece of original writing in which you will explore your ideas and attitudes towards language issues.
This part of the paper is worth 24 marks.
Section C — Comparing and contrasting texts:
You will need to analyse contrasting modes of texts, making linguistic connections and comparisons.
This part of the paper is worth 36 marks.
You will have 2 hours 30 minutes to complete Paper 1.
This paper is worth 80 marks in total.
Paper 1 is worth 40% of your total A Level marks.
What is covered in OCR A Level English Language Paper 2?
OCR A Level English Language Paper 2 is called Dimensions of Linguistic Variation.
This written paper tests your learning on the areas of study covered in the Dimensions of Linguistic Variation part of the course.
The paper is divided into three sections:
Section A — Child language acquisition:
You will undertake a linguistic analysis of a short sample of authentic children’s spoken text from a child aged 0–7 years old.
This part of the paper is worth 20 marks.
Section B — Language in the media:
Analysis of the linguistic feature of a multi-modal media text.
This part of the paper is worth 24 marks.
Section C — Language change:
An analysis of two texts from different historical periods ranging from the 1600s to present day.
This part of the paper is worth 36 marks.
You will have 2 hours 30 minutes to complete Paper 2.
This paper is worth 80 marks in total.
Paper 1 is worth 40% of your total A Level marks.
Revision resources for OCR A Level English Language
Get ready for your A Level English Language exams by using the resources provided by the English experts at Save My Exams.
OCR A Level English Language: Past Papers
Edexcel A Level English Language topics
The Edexcel A Level English Language course, like the OCR course, will develop your analytical and critical reading skills. You’ll be studying a wider range of linguistic concepts and theories.
The course consists of four main components:
Language Variation
Child Language Acquisition
Investigating Language
Crafting Language (Non-Exam Assessment)
1. Language Variation
In this unit you’ll focus on how language varies depending on context, audience, and the passing of time.
The key areas covered are:
Individual variation: How language choices reflect and construct individual identity.
Variation over time: Historical changes in the English language from 1550 to the present day.
Analysis of texts: Examining and applying concepts to a wide range of written, spoken, and multimodal texts from different time periods.
2. Child Language Acquisition
This unit focuses on the fascinating topic of how children develop spoken and written language skills.
Spoken language development: Theories and processes behind children's speech acquisition from birth to age 8.
Written language development: Early literacy skills and influences on writing development.
Linguistic theories: Exploration of key theorists and models of language acquisition.
3. Investigating Language
An independent research-based component that allows you to consolidate the knowledge you gain from studying the other course components.
You will investigate a linguistic topic that interests you from a range of topics within the following areas:
Global English
Language and Gender Identity
Language and Journalism
Language and Power
Regional Language Variation
A subtopic will be pre-released on the Edexcel website in the December before your exam for each of these topics. You will receive an introduction to your subtopic and a range of suggested research resources.
You will undertake research and investigation into your subtopic in preparation for an exam at the end of your course.
4. Crafting Language (Non-Exam Assessment)
A coursework component involving creative and analytical writing.
The key requirements for this element of the course are:
Original writing: Two pieces within the same genre, for example, feature articles, short stories, or scripted presentations. The two should be differentiated by their function and audience.
Commentary: One commentary reflecting on your two pieces of original writing and linking it to your linguistic research.
Your coursework for this part of your course comprises 50 marks, or 20% of your total A Level mark.
What is covered in Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 1?
Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 1 is called Language Variation.
This written paper tests your learning on the Language Variation section of the course.
The paper is divided into two sections:
Section A – Individual Variation: One question on two unseen 21st-century linked texts/data. You will write an extended comparative response.
Section B – Variation over Time: One question on two thematically linked unseen texts/data, from two different periods. You will produce an extended comparative response.
You will have 2 hours 15 minutes to complete Paper 1.
This paper is worth 60 marks in total.
Paper 1 is worth 35% of your total A Level marks.
What is covered in Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 2?
Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 2 is called Child Language.
This written paper tests your learning on the Child Language section of the course.
In this paper, you will answer one extended response question based on a set of unseen data, which could be either spoken or written.
You will have 1 hour 15 minutes to complete Paper 2.
This paper is worth 45 marks in total.
Paper 2 is worth 20% of your total A Level marks.
What is covered in Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 3?
Edexcel A Level English Language Paper 3 is called Investigating Language.
This written paper tests your research focus from the Investigating Language element of your course.
The paper is divided into two sections:
Section A – Unseen data: One question on unseen data which you must answer about the subtopic you researched.
Section B – Evaluation: One extended response question on the subtopic you have researched, making connections with the data from your investigations
You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete Paper 3.
This paper is worth 45 marks in total.
Paper 3 is worth 25% of your total A Level marks.
Revision resources for Edexcel A Level English Language
Get ready for your A Level English Language exams with the help of the resources provided by the A Level teachers and examiners at Save My Exams.
Edexcel A Level English Language: Past Papers
Improve your grades with Save My Exams
English Language at A Level involves developing a deep understanding and appreciation of the roots and development of language. Why not use the expertise of our English teachers and examiners at Save My Exams to help you ace your exams? We’ve helped thousands of students achieve success, and have prepared extensive resources to help with English studies at all levels.
A Level English Language Resources
References
Department for Education: GCE AS and A level subject content for English language
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