Key Topics
Language change
Students explore linguistic concepts and learn about the extent to which the English
language adapted to reflect changes in the cultural and historical context in which it has
been used. Students learn to identify, analyse, compare and synthesise different processes
of language change.
Relevant theories:
- cultural transmission theory
- theory of lexical gaps
- substratum theory
- functional theory
- tree and wave model
Child language acquisition
Students improve their knowledge on how children acquire their first language based on the
theoretical framework and theorists such as Skinner, Bruner, Vygotsky, etc. They learn about
the characteristics of the child’s speech, stages of language and cognitive development,
language functions, etc.
Relevant theories:
- The main stages of child language acquisition (babbling, holophrastic, telegraphic,
post-telegraphic, development from 5-8 years old) - Stages of cognitive development (Piaget)
- Theories of child language acquisition (Bruner, Vygotsky, Piaget, Skinner, Chomsky)
- Language functions and Halliday’s theory
English in the world
‘English in the World’ focuses on the way in which English has been shaped by the context
in which it has been adopted (e.g. ‘Singlish’ in Singapore, ‘Chinglish’ in China etc.). It also
focuses on the way in which English has perhaps overwhelmed the languages into which it
has entered.
Relevant theorists and theories
- Kachru’s Model ‘’The Three Circles of English’
- Bambose, A -The English Language in Nigeria
- David Crystal- Effect of new technologies on English
- David Crystal- World Englishes
Language and the self
How does language shape our worldview and our identity? The study of the language and
the self delves deeper into the relationship between the language we speak, our thoughts,
personal and social identity.
Relevant theorists and theories
- Chomsky
- Coulthard
- Deborah Cameron
- Geoff Beattie
- Bruner
- Sapit-Whorf hypothesi
- Language and self-Identity
- Sociolinguistics
- Gender discourse
- Political correctness
Linguistic Concepts
Students will learn about the building blocks of language and how they function.
- Etymology
- Morphology
- Orthography
- Graphology
- Semantics
- Syntax
- Phonology
Key Focus Areas:
Paper 3
Language Analysis
- Language change over time
- Theories of language change (cultural transmission theory, theory of lexical gaps,
substratum theory, functional theory, tree and wave model) - The main stages of child language acquisition
- Stages of cognitive development (Piaget)
- Theories of child language acquisition (Bruner, Vygotsky, Piaget, Skinner, Chomsky)
- Language functions and Halliday’s theory
Paper 4
Language Topics
- Development of English as a ‘global’ language
- New ‘Englishes’ and varieties of English
- Theoretical framework surrounding the status of English as a global language
- Sociolinguistic factors influencing language use
- Relationship between language and self-identity
- Relationship between language and though
- The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and the theory of linguistic relativity
Key skills and techniques
- Research in the relevant field
- Analysing texts
- Interpreting and analysing data
- Relating data and ideas from the texts to the relevant theories and wider research in
the topic area - Synthesising relevant theory into a coherent analytical essay
Essay Structure
Learning to construct well-organised and coherent analytical essays is a crucial part of
A-Level English. As A-Level English papers are research based, students must support their
arguments with relevant theory and evidence from the text, synthesising relevant theories
into coherent analytical essays.
Key components:
- Introduction with a clear thesis statement
- Body paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting evidence and relevant theoretical
framework (PEEL) - Conclusion that synthesises the main points
Exam preparation:
- Practice with past papers and sample questions
- Time management strategies for exams
- Access to relevant research papers
- Access to external research around the topic
