Fast Track A Level English Language + Literature

Fast Track A Level English Language + Literature Course Content

The whole ‘A’ level has TWO (2) specific components which are presented in six (6) easy to follow units of study, which are sub-divided into themes of learning, the components are:

Fast Track A Level English Language + Literature Units: 1, 2 & 3: – Voices in Speech and Writing

This component has an explicit focus on the concept of ‘voice’. Students will study how spoken voices are formed and written voices created in literary, non-literary and digital texts. Students will develop their understanding of how writers and speakers shape and craft language to present an identity or persona, and will look at connections between texts as well as the significance and influence of context.

Students will study a wide range of non-literary and digital texts from the 20th- and 21st centuries. Teaching will be supported by Voices in Speech and Writing: An Anthology provided by Pearson free of charge.

The anthology has been designed to introduce students to the ways in which ‘voices’ are used or crafted in a variety of non-literary and digital genres, encouraging the analysis of linguistic and literary features and generic conventions in a range of non-literary and digital forms. The anthology contains a variety of non-literary and digital texts from different forms, such as interviews, broadcasts, podcasts, blogs, screenplays and travelogues. This anthology constitutes a non-literary set text for this qualification and will be assessed in Section A of the examination. Students will also study one literary drama text from the prescribed list below, giving them the opportunity to study how writers create different voices within a literary genre.

Fast Track A Level English Language + Literature Units: 4, 5 & 6: – Varieties in Language and Literature

This component focuses on the ways in which different writers convey their thoughts or ideas on a theme in literary and non-fiction writing. Students will develop their understanding of how writers use language techniques and literary devices to craft their work and communicate ideas or issues, making connections between texts as well as looking at the significance and influence of the contexts in which they were produced and received.

Students will study one theme from a choice of four (4): Society & the Individual; Love & Loss, Encounters and; Crossing Boundaries.  Each theme will offer the choice of two prose fiction anchor texts and a choice of five other texts from the genres of prose fiction, drama and poetry. In addition to the study of two literary texts within a theme, students will also be expected to read widely across a range of non-fiction genres in preparation for responding to an unseen extract in Section A of the examination. Students will explore and evaluate the ways different writers convey similar themes and issues in different texts.

Fast Track A Level English Language + Literature Coursework Submission

The Coursework element is in addition to the six internally marked assignments, one for each of the units being studied. Marking of this coursework is initially internal by the tutor, but is moderated and final graded by the Edexcel Examiner and included as part of the final outcome result for the A level qualification.

The non-examination assessment component has been designed to allow students to demonstrate their skills as writers, crafting their own original texts for different audiences and purposes. In exploring the various forms of writing and the ways different writers use linguistic and literary techniques in texts, students will acquire the synthesised knowledge and understanding required to produce original pieces of writing. This component permits students to pursue their own interests, applying the skills they have developed to investigate a topic they are interested in.

Students will produce the two (2) assignments: Assignment 1: two pieces of original writing, one piece of fiction writing and one piece of creative non-fiction writing. Assignment 2: one separate analytical commentary reflecting on the studied texts and pieces of writing they have produced.

Further Reading

Although the course programme is ‘self contained’ the student may wish to obtain further materials in regards to learning. However, the course material is comprehensive and includes all ‘free’ Edexcel downloadable texts.

The Key Source for the course is a series of course Anthologies, prepared by Pearson Edexcel, which can be obtained at:

The Edexcel Course Anthologies & Additional Reading:

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/english-language-and-literature-2015.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=Pearson-UK:Category%2FTeaching-and-learning-materials

Textbooks

There are a series of recommended textbooks throughout the course syllabus these can be obtained at any leading academic textbook retailer of your choice.

Please find below the Set Texts required for the course:

Ambrose, S. Band of Brothers. Pocket Books: London, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0743429900.

Burrow, C. (ed) Metaphysical Poetry: Penguin Classics: London, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0140424447.

Hardy, T. Tess of the D’Ubervilles. Penguin Classics: London, 2013. ASIN: B00E32H9J6.

Hosseini, K. The Kite Runner. Bloomsbury: London, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1408824856.

Miller, A. All My Sons. Penguin Modern Classics: London, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-0141189970.

You may also wish to refer to:

Andrew Northedge – The Good Study Guide Open University.

All of the above can also be obtained in an electronic format

Assessment

Awarding Body Syllabus

The course has an internally assessed course work element, which is marked by the tutor and externally moderated by Edexcel, prior to the formal examination sitting; this adds twenty percent (20%) to the outcome of final assessment by a TWO (2) unseen papers across the syllabus components of learning, that amount to 5.0 hours’ examination sitting.

To ensure that the four assessment objectives are clearly placed and assessed prior to the final examination, the TMA’s are weighted in accordance with these AO statements below:

AO1:    Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression

AO2:    Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in literary texts

AO3:    Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received

AO4:    Explore connections across literary texts informed by linguistic and literary concepts and methods

AO5:    Demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways