A-level English Language and Literature

Now available as a 12 month FAST TRACK course at no extra cost!! Just select the option at the bottom of this page.

Guaranteed exam place: venues in Bristol, Harrogate, Birmingham & London.

These courses are in printed format so you can study wherever you are such as on a train without the need for computer access.

Course Aims
We are pleased to offer the opportunity to study to AS and A2 A-level English Language and Literature (A) as specified by AQA.  The A-level aims to encourage candidates:
To use integrated linguistic and literary approaches in their reading and interpretation of texts;
To engage creatively and independently with a wide range of spoken, written and multimodal texts, exploring the relationship between texts;
To undertake independent and sustained studies to develop their skills as producers and interpreters of language

Course Outline
Students are strongly recommended to familiarise themselves with the AQA specification for A-level English Language and Literature (A). The document can be downloaded as a pdf file, alongside further student support and assessment materials from the AQA website.

The AQA A-level is divided into four units as follows:

AS: 2 units AQA Code 1721

A2: 2 units AQA Code 2721

Below is a more detailed breakdown of the units studied for AS and A2.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS):

Unit 1 - ELLA 1: Integrated Analysis and Text Production

This unit introduces the principles of integrated literary and linguistic analysis by developing the ability of candidates:

To use terminology to support their analysis of a set text
To produce a piece of their own work, based on the study of a set text
To write fluently and coherently
Candidates will be required to answer two questions. The first question will be an analytical question on one of the set texts; the second question a production task on a second set text. In each case, all texts will have an analysis task and a production task to maximise candidates’ choice.

The analytical question focuses on the ways in which language and style help the writer to develop and explore issues within the text (such as theme and character). Candidates will be expected to produce an informed response underpinned by close textual reference and stylistic discussion.

The production task requires candidates to write in a particular style, register or voice, based on a thorough knowledge of the text. They will be assessed on language use appropriate to the set task and on technical accuracy.

Candidates are advised to spend approximately 40 minutes responding to the analytical task on their first set text, and then spend approximately 50 minutes planning and writing the production task linked to the other set text.

Candidates must study two texts, which can be taken into the examination. However, the texts must be clean, that is, free from all annotation.

Texts
The Importance of Being Earnest: Oscar Wilde

A Streetcar Named Desire: Tennessee Williams

Unit 2 – ELLA 2: Analysing Speech and its Representation

This unit will introduce candidates to the principles of the analysis of speech in a variety of situations. Their analysis will be supplemented by the frameworks learned on Unit 1. These questions test the ability of candidates:

To use appropriate terminology to support their analysis
To compare different kinds of spoken texts
To analyse set texts with reference to representation of speech as well as exploration of stylistic and thematic issues
To write fluently and coherently.
Candidates will be required to answer two questions. The first question will require an analytical comparison of unseen spoken texts. The second section of the unit will focus on the study of a set text where the candidate will focus on the way speech is used and represented within that text as well as stylistic matters relevant to the particular text.

The first question will have two pieces of speech which could be transcribed spontaneous speech, prepared oratory or any other type of speech representation from a non-literary context.

Candidates will be required to compare how the speech texts differ by focusing on features of spoken English and how form and context can help to shape meaning. The second question will focus on speech representation and stylistic and linguistic issues within the set text, with a short section of the text printed to provide a basis for close analysis.

Candidates must study one text, but are not allowed to take this text into the examination, since a section for commentary and discussion will be reprinted on the examination paper.

Text
The Caretaker: Harold Pinter

Advanced (A2):

Unit 3 – ELLA 3: Comparative Analysis and Text Adaptation

This unit focuses on integrated literary and linguistic study: firstly, by exploring the way that unseen texts can be analysed and compared; secondly, by taking the candidate’s own production skills further by focusing on non-fiction writing. Analysis on this unit will draw together the frameworks learned throughout the course. Production on this unit will focus on the skills of textual re-casting so as to develop and strengthen candidates’ production skills. This unit tests the ability of candidates:

To use appropriate terminology to support their analysis
To compare different types of text including those from literary and non-literary contexts, and speech
To write a piece of their own work, based on the study of non-fiction writing
To write fluently and coherently
Candidates are required to answer two questions. The first question will be an unseen analytical comparison of three texts of varying length, mode, genre and/or historical period. The second question will focus on a production task linked to the study of a set text, which will be non-fiction writing. The production will include reference to their set text in the form of a printed extract which will then be used as the basis for a textual re-casting. Candidates will also be required to write a short commentary explaining the choices they made when writing the re-casting.

Candidates are advised to spend approximately 90 minutes reading, planning and writing their analytical response and then spend approximately 60 minutes planning and writing the production task and commentary linked to the non-fiction set text.

Candidates must study one text, which they will not be allowed to take into the examination.

Text
A House Somewhere: Tales of Life Abroad: Don George and Anthony Sattin

Unit 4 – ELLA 4: Comparative Analysis through Independent Study

This unit will extend the principles of integrated literary and linguistic analysis by testing the ability of candidates:

To use appropriate terminology in their analysis
To make comparisons by sustaining a particular line of thinking in relation to the two chosen texts
To produce accurate, fluent and coherent written work
Candidates are required to answer one question on two set texts: they have a free choice of question on the two texts that they have chosen to study but each question must be approved by the candidate’s tutor. The question should focus on challenging comparative issues.

Candidates must show evidence of a drafting process in their coursework and it is therefore a requirement to submit one draft with their final assessed piece.

They must write between 2,000 and 2,500 words. A consortium system operates for this specification, in line with the other AQA GCE English Specification A suites, where centres initially submit candidates’ questions to consortium advisers for scrutiny, acceptance and moderation. These consortium advisers also act in an advisory capacity to centres throughout the year.

Candidates are required to study at least one poetry text, a genre not available at AS level. Candidates must choose one text from List A; they may then choose one other text from List A or one from List B.

The intention behind this constrained choice is to offer texts which have been externally verified for their suitability for this coursework unit. Centres should discourage candidates from writing at length about biographical details of any of the writers. The primary focus of candidates’ work must be on literary and linguistic analysis and comparative issues within the texts.

List A (Poetry)
Ariel: Sylvia Plath

The Whitsun Weddings: Philip Larkin

The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale: Geoffrey Chaucer

Selected Poems: D.H. Lawrence

Taking off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes: Billy Collins

Selected Poems: Robert Frost

Songs of Innocence and of Experience: William Blake

Selected Poems 1965-75: Seamus Heaney

Selected Poems: William Wordsworth

Mean Time: Carol Ann Duffy

Selected Poems: Emily Dickinson

Selected Poems: Elizabeth Jennings

List B (Other Genres)
A Handmaid’s Tale: Margaret Atwood

Hamlet: William Shakespeare

As You Like It: William Shakespeare

The Penguin Book of Modern Short Stories: ed. Malcolm Bradbury

Small Island: Andrea Levy

The Accidental Tourist: Anne Tyler

Waterland: Graham Swift

A Prayer for Owen Meany: John Irving

Dubliners: James Joyce

Hotel World: Ali Smith

Death of a Salesman: Arthur Miller

Translations: Brian Friel

The purpose of this unit is to show an ability to use literary and linguistic terminology for analysis (Assessment Objective 1) and to make comparisons considering context (Assessment Objective 3). Each AO is weighted equally (30 marks).

The coursework is not an opportunity to write broadly on general themes or to relate them to the lives of the poets / writers. Rather, it is a chance to show the skills of close technical analysis in a comparative format. The essay should be concerned with the question of how / in what ways writers create their effects in order to focus on a particular theme.

Unless the candidate chooses two poets, comparisons will inevitably need to explain the different demands of the genre used (poetry, drama, short story, novel) but these should be confined to the specific differences of the texts chosen rather than a more generalised approach to genre difference. Similarly, though context may be important in explaining language change or specific historical attitudes, candidates should give a lesser emphasis to these areas than they do to technical analysis. Typically, a good coursework title will be ‘Compare the ways in which X and Y write about loneliness / death / the countryside etc.’ while an unsuitable title might be ‘Is X better than Y?’ or ‘How typical are X and Y of the periods in which they were writing?’

List A / List B examples
1. The Whitsun Weddings: Philip Larkin / Dubliners: James Joyce

Compare the ways in which Larkin and Joyce portray family relationships.

2. Mean Time: Carol Ann Duffy / Hotel World: Ali Smith

Compare the ways in which Duffy and Smith use different narrative points of view.

3. Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes: Billy Collins / The Accidental Tourist: Anne Tyler

Compare the ways in which Collins and Tyler present ideas about travel.

List A only examples
1. Selected Poems: Robert Frost / Selected Poems: William Wordsworth

Compare the ways in which Frost and Wordsworth write about friendship.

2. Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes: Billy Collins / Mean Time: Carol Ann Duffy

Compare the ways in which Collins and Duffy use irony.

3. Selected Poetry: D.H.Lawrence / Selected Poems: Emily Dickinson

Compare the ways in which Lawrence and Dickinson make use of the natural world.

In the production of their coursework candidates are encouraged to read widely, to include at the end of their essays a bibliography of works read and to make appropriate reference to them, where relevant, in the body of the coursework. However, it must be stressed that a personal response is what is required and an inclusion of critical references is not essential.

Important Notice
The course provider is not accredited to assess, moderate or examine coursework. In which case, it is candidates’ responsibility to access AQA consortium advice via their examination centres. Moreover, it is candidates’ choice to determine which texts from lists A and B above they shall study and what comparative question they shall work on.

However, the course provider is able to offer study materials for Unit 4, consisting of examples of poetry criticism and analysis, and Tutor Marked Assignments which will help prepare candidates to formulate titles and draft their coursework.

Format of the Examinations

AS Units 1 and 2
Each unit is worth 50% of the total marks available for the AS, and 25% for the A2 if taken.  The papers are each 90 minutes long and each carry 75 marks in all.

Unit 1 – ELLA 1

Section A: One question on literary and stylistic issues (advised to spend 40 minutes)

Section B: One language production task (advised to spend 50 minutes)

Available in January and June

Unit 2 – ELLA 2

Section A: One unseen analysis (advised to spend 45 minutes)

Section B: One question on the set text (advised to spend 45 minutes)

Available in January and June

A2 Unit 3

This unit is worth 30% of the total marks available for the A2 GCE. The paper is 150 minutes and carries 100 marks.

Unit 3 – ELLA 3

Section A: One question of unseen analysis (candidates advised to spend 90 minutes)

Section B: One production question on a set text (candidates advised to spend 60 minutes)

Available in January and June

(NB Unit 4 is examined by coursework alone)

Entry Requirements
The A-level builds on the course content of GCSE English Language and Literature. Although it is not necessary to have this qualification before undertaking A-level English Language and Literature, in order to meet the demands of the course, it is recommended that candidates do have literary and communication skills equivalent to C or higher at GCSE.

Study Hours
This is variable according to student commitment, though AQA recommend around 150 guided learning hours for AS and 150 guided learning hours for A2.

Qualification
The titles of the qualifications will appear on certificates as:

• AQA Advanced Subsidiary GCE in English Language and Literature A

and

• AQA Advanced Level GCE in English Language and Literature A

International
If you are based outside the UK, it may be possible to sit your examination through your local British Council, depending on your location. Please contact the examination board AQA for details on examination centres in your country.

What’s Included?
Learning documentation Tutor support until this syllabus is withdrawn for examination by AQA and a new one introduced. Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations themselves. Students must check the relevant examination board website for final examination sitting dates for this specification.

Support
You will have access to your tutor via email who will mark your work and guide you through the course to ensure you are ready for your examinations.

Examination Centres
There is expertise support and advice for students in their studies through their comprehensive course packs and tutoring system. However, we do stress that it is the student’s responsibility to find a centre to register and take their exams with. We are aware that sometimes this is difficult or even impossible to arrange.

Now we have come to an arrangement with centres in Birmingham, Bristol and Harrogate so please contact them directly for fees and a timetable.

We realise this may still involve a good deal of travelling for some students but the long-term benefits of being able to gain A Levels far outweigh the short-term expense and inconvenience.

Recommended Centres
English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd.
40 Showell Green lane
Sparkhill
Birmingham,
B11 4JP
England
United Kingdom

Tel: 0121-771-1298              0121-771-1298    

http://www.englishandmaths.com/Index.php

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3A Tutors Ltd
1A High Street
Staple Hill
Bristol
BS16 5HA

Tel: 0117 9109931               0117 9109931     

Email:

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Harrogate Tutorial College
2 The Oval
Harrogate
HG2 9BA

Telephone b                  

E-Mail

In some cases you should be prepared to travel to another town or city to take your exams. Or visit http://web.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre.

Book List
You will need to buy or have access to the following books.

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennesse Williams and the Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde

The Caretaker by Harold Pinter

Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs a collection of Woman’s Journalism

You choose from the pre-set lists depending on which route you take.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A. yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if further changes are made.

Q. Why do I have to find a centre myself?
A. We have students all over the UK and Europe and it is impossible for us to arrange dates and times for individual students.

Q. What if I cannot find an examination centre in my home town?
A. If you wish to gain the qualification then be prepared to travel it is worth it!

Q. How much are exam fees?
A. These vary from centre to centre so please check with your local centre.

Q. Are the courses paper based or on-line?
A. All our courses are paper based and come in attractive sturdy folders.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. Tutors are all working Teachers or Lecturers so contact is by email only.

Q. Why can I not take my exams when I have completed the course and why do I have to wait?
A. Exams are taken at the same times as schools and colleges and are not flexible.

Q. I want to take my exams but there are only a few months to study, is this possible?
A. Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes impossible to complete your studies in a short space of time as your work has to be marked and checked. More importantly the examination boards have cut off times which are not flexible. See our web site for further information.

Q. Will I receive UCAS points on completion of this course?
A. Yes all of our A Levels carry UCAS points. The number of points awarded will depend on the grade you achieve.