New GCE AQA English Language A – launch video
Transcript
The English language surrounds us from our first waking moment to our end of day goodnights. It's our window on the world. It's our way of expressing ourselves. It's one of the ways we make and break our relationships.
As the UK's leading exam board, AQA wanted to develop an English Language A-level that reflects the central role language plays in students' lives, drawing on students' experiences of language, and reflecting their creativity at the forefront of language change. An A-level that would stretch them academically and help them enjoy the diversity of English today.
What does the spec look like?
The AS gives students a broad understanding of how language works, including how language is linked with power and ideology, the impact of new communication technology on speech and writing, and the astonishing ways children learn to talk. They'll develop their skills as writers in a wide variety of genres.
What is most different is that there is no AS coursework. We think this will relieve some pressure and give students more time to develop their writing skills.
At A2 students look at language in its wider social, geographical, global and historical contexts. Assessment is skills and concepts based, giving the flexibility to devise a course that you'll enjoy teaching and that will engage and challenge your students because you can choose the examples yourselves.
Students will also carry out a piece of original fieldwork, investigating an aspect of language they have chosen.
The climax of the course gets students to participate in the big debates about language. Is the English language decaying? Is your accent a hindrance to be abandoned if you want to get on?
So what will the exams look like?
Much will be familiar. We've taken question styles that have been successful in the past, and used these to develop the new papers. We think it's important to set tasks that give students time to show what they've learnt and we've increased the times for some tasks so students don't have to rush.
You'll have the flexibility to enter students in January as well as in June. Both AS units will be available from January 2010.
AQA – enabling you to make informed decisions
With a straightforward structure, engaging and relevant content and comprehensive support for teachers, we believe our new English Language A is the right choice for you and your students.
For more information come along to a free teacher support meeting
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