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.