SUBJECT

English Language

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For September 2025

Subject Intent: Why English Language?

The main focus behind the study of English Language is communication. Students are encouraged to explore how and why we communicate in the world in which we live, and how to express these ideas using their own successful communication skills. The asking of thought-provoking and polemical questions allows students to assess different arguments and to learn the value of their own thinking. Debate is crucial and encourages students to think outside of their own personal circumstances, developing their sense of empathy. Our English Language curriculum has been designed to enable students to understand the relationship between language and society, with a focus on honing their skills to be fully functioning members within that society.

What will I study?

Through the analysis of a range of texts, data and theories, you will study:

How language is used to create meanings and representations.
Language diversity, including an exploration of gender, region, ethnicity and occupation.
Language change over time.
Language discourses.
Child language development.

The course is assessed through the combination of two exam papers and coursework. The coursework requires you to write a 750-word creative text with an accompanying 750-word analytical commentary, as well as a 2000-word investigation in which you explore a language issue of your choosing. This is worth 20% of the qualification.

English Language

Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.

What are lessons like in this subject?

You can expect English Language lessons to always be lively, engaging and varied. Through the exploration of a range of spoken and written texts, students will develop their appreciation and understanding for the complex issues that underpin communication. There will be opportunities to debate a range of topical issues, such as the relationship between language and gender identity, political correctness and political bias. In addition, students are encouraged to collect their own data for analysis, from motivational speeches and celebrity interviews to editorial features and sports commentaries. Students are also able to demonstrate their more creative side through the coursework, as well as developing their independent working skills through the completion of a Language Investigation. You will also benefit from our close links with universities, as well as a range of enrichment opportunities including taking part in writing competitions and a creative writing club.

What our
students
say

English language is a subject that allows students to enhance their understanding around linguistics but then apply it to societal contexts which is amazing as it ensures that students get a full sense of the world in which they live in and how language influences and shapes a large part of it. The interesting factors behind linguistics and the study of English language is something that can shift a person’s perspective on everyday events which enables a deeper intellectual connection to language and how a person selects words in order to articulate themselves, this in particular is what makes English language so fascinating and it is most definitely a subject that should be explored.

Ella Grace Dent, The Hayfield School

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