English (Language A1)

What levels are on offer?

You can study English (Language A1) at Higher Level or at Standard Level.

How do I decide which to choose?

• Higher Level English (Language A1) is aimed at students who really enjoy the subject and those who are possibly interested in studying it at University.
• Standard Level is aimed at students who need to express themselves well orally and in writing. These are key communication skills required in all areas of life.

What will I need?

For Higher Level you will need at least a 'B' grade at GCSE English and English Literature.

What will I study?

The Standard Level Course includes the study of certain texts in the following categories –

• World Literature – the study of three texts, for example, texts like ‘Metamorphosis’ and ‘One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich’
• Detailed study – the study of two texts (a play and poetry) for example, Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and studying the poetry of Wilfred Owen
• Groups of Works – studying one World Literature text and two plays, for example, ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘Pygmalion’
• Free Choice – the study of three texts, for example, ‘The Reader’ or ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’

The Higher Level Course includes most of the Standard Level texts but additional texts will need to be studied –

• World Literature – the study of three texts, for example, texts like ‘Perfume’ and ‘The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum’
• Detailed study – the study of four texts (two plays, a prose text and poetry) for example, Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and studying the poetry of Wilfred Owen
• Groups of Works – studying one World Literature text and three plays, for example, ‘Talking Heads 2’ and ‘Death of a Salesman’
• Free Choice – the study of four texts, for example, ‘The Reader’, ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ or ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’

How will I be assessed?

In Standard and Higher Level there are different aspects to the assessment.

• For the Internal Assessment at Standard Level, you will have to produce an Oral Presentation on one of the three 'School's Free Choice' texts, a coursework assignment comparing two 'World Literature' texts and an Oral Commentary on one of the two 'Detailed Study' texts. These assessments are worth 50% of the total marks.


• For the Internal Assessment at Higher Level, you will have to produce an Oral Presentation on one of the four 'Free Choice' texts, a coursework assignment comparing two 'World Literature' texts, a coursework assignment on a remaining 'World Literature' text and an Oral Commentary on one of the four 'Detailed Study' texts. These assessments are worth 50% of the total marks.

There is an end of course exam taken in May of the second year consisting of two papers.

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