A level English Language

Why study A level English Language?

The study of Cambridge A level English Language allows you to develop a critical understanding of a wide variety of texts, both written and spoken. These are taken from a range of sources including journalism, biographies, advertisements, speeches, blogs, and fiction.

You will be guided through the fundamental building blocks of language and its use: grammar, structure and style. Your analytical skills will be developed as you break texts down, learning how writers have created particular effects for specific audiences and purposes.

You will also develop an understanding of how we use spoken language, learning how and why we acquire language and speech skills from birth, and understanding the links between language, culture and identity. You will also explore the rise of English as a global language and its future vis à vis other cultures and languages around the world.

Those considering taking this subject should be aware of the high level of written English expected by the examiners. You should therefore NOT select this course with the primary aim of ‘improving your English’. You need to begin the course with an already high level of English if you are to obtain a good grade.

Note that our experienced University Services Adviser can advise on A level courses and all aspects of university entrance.

SEE OUR IGCSE & A LEVEL EXAM RESULTS

Please note we also offer A level English Literature.

Wolsey Hall Oxford is a registered school of Cambridge Assessment International Education

Wolsey Hall is a registered online Cambridge International School.

Wolsey Hall Oxford is a Pearson Edexcel approved centre

We offer a wide range of A level courses.

A Level English Language

What do I need to know to enrol?

A level English Language builds directly on the work you will have done for IGCSE or GCSE in English Language or Literature.

You must have gained at least grade A or 7 in English Language before starting on this course. For all A level courses we also require a Grade C or 4 in IGCSE Maths.

The syllabus and exam

The course prepares you for the Cambridge (CIE) A level syllabus 9093. The full A level qualification comprises exams at AS and A level. Exams take place in March (India only), June and November.

AS level

Paper 1

Passages worth 50% of the AS level or 25% of the full A level. (2 hours and 15 minutes)

Paper 2

Writing worth 50% of the AS level or 25% of the full A level. (2 hours)

A level

For the full A level qualification, in addition to the AS papers above, you will take:

Paper 3

Text Analysis worth 25% of the full A level. (2 hours and 15 minutes)

Paper 4

Language Topics worth 25% of the full A level. (2 hours and 15 minutes)

There are Cambridge exam centres in over 150 countries. We can provide details of the most convenient.

All of our A level courses include a number of past exam papers in the final module. These include the most recent paper which can be taken as a mock exam and submitted to your Tutor for assessment and feedback for a modest additional fee.

Course samples

Course Fees

Wolsey Hall has enabled our family to remain working overseas even when our children hit the “exam years”. I have homeschooled my four kids from the beginning but was worried about how we would manage the GCSE and A Level years. Wolsey Hall has enabled us to keep homeschooling – I now have two doing A Level courses and a third doing IGCSEs with Wolsey Hall. Without Wolsey Hall, I really doubt whether we could have continued to work overseas at this point. Despite living in six different countries, homeschooling has allowed my childrens’ education to continue uninterrupted. Even more so during the current pandemic. I have worked with four online schools now and Wolsey Hall is by far the best in terms of the quality of the materials and learning portal, the response time from tutors (very important when someone is stuck on a Maths problem!), help from the Student Progress Manager and just all-round excellent customer care. From the moment you first contact them, the customer care is brilliant. I would always choose Wolsey Hall over another online school company – they are not all the same!
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Melanie Wright – Homeschooling Parent

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