Year 12
Language, Identity
and Representation
In Year 12, students begin to explore the social, geographical and functional diversity of the English language. The focus is on how language varies according to audience, purpose, genre and context, as well as how it reflects identity. Students study textual variations and representations, comparing how meanings are constructed across different texts. This is paired with an introduction to child language development, exploring how children acquire and develop spoken and written language.
Learners develop close reading and analytical skills by examining a variety of texts, including transcripts, fiction and non-fiction, while engaging with theoretical frameworks and terminology. Lessons include interactive activities such as data analysis, group presentations and discussions, which help students become confident in articulating ideas about language use in real-world contexts.
Year 13
Diversity, Change and
Language in Action
In Year 13, students build on their analytical expertise by exploring how language evolves across time and varies across regions, communities and social groups. They investigate the impact of factors such as age, gender, occupation and ethnicity on how language is used and perceived. This part of the course encourages deeper critical engagement with topics such as language change and language diversity, supported by directed writing tasks and extended essay responses.
The final year also includes a significant coursework component called Language in Action, worth 20% of the A Level. This allows students to carry out an independent language investigation and produce two original pieces of writing with accompanying commentaries. This element of the course gives students the freedom to explore an area of personal linguistic interest, from political speeches to online language or regional dialects.
By the end of Year 13, students will have developed a strong understanding of how English operates in the real world and gained transferable skills that prepare them for university and careers in communication-focused fields such as journalism, teaching, publishing or speech therapy.
Contact
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill
Wem
Shropshire
SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 1939 237000
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