Language acquisition

Overview of English Language A-Level

• English Language A-level course focuses on various aspects of language including spoken and written forms.

• It emphasizes understanding communication styles, strategies, and their social implications.

Course Structure

• Paper 1: Language, The Individual and Society

• Paper 2: Language, Diversity and Change

• Non-Exam Assessment (NEA): Original Writing and Language Investigation

Expectations of Students

• Attendance: Be present and on time.

• Preparation: Bring necessary materials, such as folders, notebooks, and writing tools.

Key Concepts to Understand

• Gender and Language: Evaluate the contrasts between women’s cooperative talk and men’s competitive communication.

• Course Content: Expect analysis of texts, understanding of language functions, and discussion of linguistic features like tone, register, and audience.

Topics of Interest

• Code-switching

• Formality and informality in language

• Authorial intention

• Intertextuality

• Social influences on language use

• Cultural perspectives in communication

Language Analysis Skills

• Grammatical analysis: Syntax, morphology, lexis, and phonology.

• Understanding semantics: Meanings and implications of words and phrases.

• Pragmatics: Contextual influence on language.

Practical Activities

• Human Bingo: Play to engage with peers and observe language variations.

• Terminology Quizzes: Assess understanding of language features.

• Text Analysis: Practice evaluating texts for meaning and representation.

Assignments and Homework

• Linguistic Analysis of Found Texts: Examine how language conveys meaning and intention.

• Revision Tasks: Focus on key linguistic terms discussed in class.

• Original Writing Project: Create a piece based on themes discussed, integrating learned techniques from style models.

Important Considerations

• Engage with peers and instructors to clarify understanding and expectations.

• Structure written responses to include key linguistic features and personal insights.

Language Functions

• Understanding Halliday's functions of language:

  • Representational: Conveying information.

  • Regulatory: Influencing others’ actions.

  • Interactional: Building social relationships.

Final Thoughts

• Maintain an open line of communication with instructors for guidance and improvement.

• Collaborate with peers for shared learning experiences and support.