Pathways through the six units

It is helpful to relate the topic list to the six units.

Units 1-3 will be studied in the first year by centres offering the staged approach.
Units 4-6 will be studied in the second year.
Unit 6 (synoptic) covers the full range of topics.

Although there is no great emphasis on
the History of Language in the AS course, many teachers will feel that an introductory topic describing the origins and history will be worthwhile.
Note that AO1 refers to knowledge, understanding and insight - which may be brought about by an appreciation of the origin of language generally and English in particular.
Language history is a framework for systematic study as required by AO3i. AO5ii requires an understanding of language from different times.
Relevant topics: 1. origins of language, 2. signs and symbols, 4 language change and history including etymology

Unit 2701 Frameworks for the description of English
refers to text analysis, spoken and written varieties, word structure, sentence structure, effective use of terminology, frameworks for the systematic study of spoken and written English. more
Relevant topics:
10. spoken and written English,
9 transcriptions,
11 discourse analysis,
5. word structure,
6. sentence structure,
15 identifying an unknown text,
specific domains.
Also vocabulary and linguistic terms.
See also tasks for Key Skills and assessment Objectives

Unit 2702 Variation in the Usage of English
refers to accent and dialect, formality, register, child language acquisition, appropriateness, language in use, language in context, a systematic written means of representing speech sounds. more
Relevant topics:
12. dialects,
13. register and appropriateness,
3. child language acquisition,
7. the notion of correctness,
8. the sounds of language,
15 specific domains
16 literature and figurative,
17. TV and radio,
18. newspapers,
19.advertising,
20. rhetoric
also studies of language and social class,
See also tasks for Key Skills and assessment Objectives

Unit 2703 Experiments in Writing
refers to original writing, two contrasting pieces with analytical commentary while teaching will include systematic consideration of specific examples. more
Relevant topics:

21 plain English,
22 editing and rewriting in styles.

also 10 Spoken versus written modes,
13 register,
14 tenor and domain,
15 domains,
16 literature,
17 television,
18 newspapers,
19 advertising,
20 rhetoric,
See also tasks for Key Skills and assessment Objectives

Unit 2704 Language Contexts - Structural and Social
refers to language and speech sounds, language and grammar, language and meaning, language change, language and gender, language and society. more
Relevant topics:
4 change,
5 word structure,
6 sentence structure,
7 the notion of correctness,
8 speech sounds,
12 dialect and accent,
13 register,
23 sexism,
research findings
See also tasks for Assessment Objectives

Unit 2705 Language Research Topic
refers to a piece of original research on a linguistic topic, including linguistic analysis and using appropriate research methodology. more
Relevant topics:
research,
main topics
See also tasks for Assessment Objectives

Unit 2706 Exploring, Analysing and Evaluating English
refers to analysis of a collection of materials with at least one of the following: a transcript of natural speech, a pre-1900 written passage, a post-1900 written passage, a variety of sources of written or spoken texts. more
Relevant topics:
9 transcripts,
10 Spoken versus written modes,
14 tenor and domain,
15 domains,
16 literature,
17 television,
18 newspapers,
19 advertising,
20 rhetoric
This synoptic assessment is a compulsory element in every full A level specification. It is intended to test a student's overview of the subject as a whole, at the end of the course.

The synoptic assessment carries 20% of the overall marks. It must be externally assessed. It must be tested at the end of the student's course (normally June).

The assessment will reflect the range of assessment objectives but will focus on those which are specific to A level (eg 3ii and 5ii rather than 3i and 5i)
See also tasks for Assessment Objectives