ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
The combined English course is a great next step up from GCSE. You will learn how to evaluate any form of language use, be that written, spoken or something in between, like the ways we communicate online.
This unique and distinctive qualification enables you to explore the richness of language and literature and cultivate your own critical responses. It involves the study of literary and non-fiction written and spoken texts. The course also enables you to develop your creativity and expertise by producing your own original writing. There is clear continuity from GCSE, but students explore texts of greater variety and challenge and learn to apply linguistic and literary concepts and methods to their analysis of texts.
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More about the course
What will I study
This is a course in ‘stylistics’, the study of the ways in which language shapes meanings in all types of fiction and non-fiction, spoken, written or online texts. There is a strong creative element, giving you the chance to develop your original writing skills.
You will study new ways of reading and writing about all kinds of text types. Modern writers like playwright Jez Butterworth and novelist Arundhati Roy are read alongside non-fiction texts like letters, podcasts, blogs and graphic novel extracts. You’ll explore William Blake’s poetry in its historical and social contexts. By examining new language concepts in action, you will learn how to become an accomplished writer of different kinds of literary and non-literary material.
In terms of assessment, there are three exams where you’ll write about your set texts and produce some original writing. There is also one non-examined assessment. For the NEA you have more independence in selecting two texts to compare. You also create another original piece of non-fiction.
Why choose English Combined at KGV
You will be based in wonderful Creative Arts building; with bright, spacious and stimulating classrooms allowing group work and plenty of discussion. This fantastic learning environment is backed up and supported by the passion of the highly experienced teachers, who captivate and inspire their students, encouraging them to not only develop in the subject, but also as a person. Many English students write for or help design the College magazine. Through this nurturing and aspirational environment you will be able to achieve your dreams and ambitions.
University destinations and potential careers
English Language and Literature opens up many degree courses and recent students have progressed to prestigious universities including Oxford, Durham and Liverpool to study subjects such as Linguistics, Marketing, Law, Journalism and Criminology. Following on from university the career possibilities are endless and include Speech Therapist, Technical Author, Journalist & Publisher.
Entry Requirements
Standard
5 GCSEs at grades 9 - 5 and or including, English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above.
Course specific
You will need a grade 5 or above in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature.
Preparing for this course
During the course you will study a novel called The Handmaid’s Tale. This has recently been made into a major, global television sensation. In preparation, we recommend buying and reading the novel and also watching the TV series.