Thinking about taking English Language for A Level? Great choice! But there’s one question that’s probably at the centre of your mind… is English Language A Level hard?
Like any A Level, English Language is a big step up from GCSE and is designed to challenge students. But it shouldn’t be any harder than other subjects – especially with hard work and the right support. Here’s the lowdown.
Psst! Finding an English A Level tutor is a great way to make sure you can keep up with the demands of A Level studies and reach your full potential in the exams.
What is English Language A Level?
English Language A Level is all about studying the mechanics of the English language.
This means exploring the English language in all its intricacies – from how it’s structured to how it’s used in different contexts and how it’s evolved over time.
You’ll do this by analysing both spoken and written texts – and even creating your own texts!
With that in mind, this is a well-rounded A Level that’s ideal for students who enjoy communication, language and critical thinking.
Is A Level English Language hard?
Yes and no. English Language A Level is certainly a big step up from GCSE. But that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
While GCSE will have introduced you to the basics of language analysis, A Level will encourage you to dive deeper into linguistics.
You’ll explore topics like discourse analysis (an approach to analysing the written and spoken word), syntax (the way that words and phrases are arranged to create well-formed sentences) and phonology (patterns of sounds in a language).
You’ll also explore how children acquire language and how language changes over time.
In this way, English Language can be quite technical. But many students find it less intimidating than subjects like maths, science and foreign languages. Ultimately, it all depends on your interests and what kind of learner you are.
That said, it’s worth noting that fewer students tend to get top grades in English Language A Level than in other subjects.
In 2023, just 12.3% of pupils got a grade A or A* in English Language, according to FFT Education Datalab. This is compared to an average of 27.2% across all subjects.
What does English Language A Level involve?
As an English Language A Level student, you’ll tackle essays and projects throughout your two years of study.
Exactly what’s involved will depend on the exam board you’re with. But as a general rule, your final grade will be made up of both coursework and written exams.
English Language A Level coursework
Most exam boards will need you to complete English Language A Level coursework.
But what exactly this looks like can vary a lot.
As an example, you might be required to complete a language investigation, academic poster, original writing and/or commentary.
Usually, the coursework part of the exam will be worth 20% of your overall grade.
English Language A Level exam
The rest of your grade will be made up of written exams.
Again, these can look quite different depending on which exam board you’re with.
AQA and OCR will both require you to complete two written papers.
Both English Language A Level paper 1 and English Language A Level paper 2 will last for 2 hours and 30 minutes, with each worth 40% of your overall grade.
That said, it’s important to check the specifications of your exam board as they may have different requirements. As an example, students with Pearson Edexcel will need to sit three written exams – worth 35%, 20% and 25% of your overall grade respectively.
How to revise English Language A Level
Now you know what this course involves, it’s time to learn how to pass your English Language A Level.
In fact, with the right preparation, there’s no reason why you can’t just pass your English Language A Level, but ace it too!
Here are our top revision tips.
Get clued up on your exam board
As we’ve mentioned before, not all A Level English Language students will get the same exam papers.
Instead, the content and layout of your exam will depend on which exam board you’re with.
The exam boards that offer A Level English Language are:
- AQA
- OCR
- Pearson Edexcel
- WJEC Eduqas
- Cambridge International
Checking which exam board you’re with and getting clued up on their unique requirements will ensure you know what to expect on the day.
Not only will this help you to prepare with targeted revision. But it’ll also help you to overcome exam fear as you’ll be more familiar with the format of the exam.
At Tutorful, 1 in 10 of our tutors are qualified examiners. Hiring an English tutor with this insider knowledge will give you a unique edge in knowing exactly what your exam board looks for.
Familiarise yourself with the assessment objectives
It’s important that you know exactly what the examiners are looking for. That way, you can give them what they’re after!
Although each exam board will structure the exams and coursework differently, they’ll all have the same assessment objectives. They’ll want to see that you can:
- Apply appropriate methods of language analysis, using associated terminology and coherent written expression
- Demonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use
- Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with the construction of meaning
- Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods
- Demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways
Go through each assessment objective and make sure you’re confident demonstrating your skills to the examiners.
Start your English Language A Level revision early
It’s never too early to start revising for your English Language A Level.
In fact, the earlier you start, the better. This way, you’ll have more time to build your skills and practice them before the exam.
We recommend starting your English Language A Level revision at least a year before the exam.
This way, you can spread out your learning across the year and consolidate the things you learn in class as you go – instead of panicking just a few weeks before the big day.
Read!
One of the best things you can do to ace your English Language A Level exam is to read extensively.
And we don’t just mean you should read a lot. We also mean you should read a wide variety of texts – from novels to broadsheets, tabloid newspapers to essays and even children’s books!
Remember, this subject is all about studying the mechanics of the English Language – which includes an understanding of how the use of language changes in different contexts.
Reading a variety of texts intended for different audiences will improve your understanding of how the English Language works, and give you confidence responding to unseen texts in the exam room.
Attempt English Language A Level past papers
Attempting English Language A Level past papers is a must when you’re preparing for the exams.
Firstly, it’s a great way to familiarise yourself with the types of questions you’re likely to come across in the real thing.
And secondly, attempting past papers under timed conditions will help you to develop exam techniques such as time management and dealing with pressure – which are key to boosting your confidence ahead of the big day.
But that’s not all.
Marking your attempts at past papers will also give you a clear idea of the areas where you need to improve. So, you know what to focus on for the remainder of your revision.
Just bear in mind that marking an English Language A Level past paper isn’t a simple case of ticking the right answer like with some other subjects. That’s why it can be useful to get a professional to mark your past papers for you.
Which brings us onto…
Get the help of an English tutor
Your college or sixth form will help to prepare you for your English Language A Level. But they won’t be able to give you the one-to-one attention you’d get from English tuition.
An experienced English A Level tutor will tailor their lesson plans to your strengths, weaknesses and learning style – complementing what you’re learning in the classroom and filling any gaps in your knowledge.
In this way, they’ll be able to help you reach your full potential in this subject – whether your goal is to achieve a pass or to unlock the top grades.
At Tutorful, our tutors are all carefully handpicked so you know you’re getting the very best. Plus, many are also qualified teachers and examiners.
You can see why 90% of Tutorful students improve by at least 1 grade!
Is English Language a good A Level to have?
Yes! English Language is a great A Level to have.
It will help you to develop valuable skills such as language analysis, critical thinking and communication. Not only are these skills highly sought after by universities, but they’ll also stand you in good stead in today’s job market, whatever your career goals are.
Perhaps one of the best things about this A Level is its versatility. It goes well with a range of different A Level subjects, which means it’s well suited to students with all sorts of different ambitions.
For instance, it pairs nicely with humanities subjects like history. But it also complements subjects like psychology and sociology.
Even students who want to pursue subjects like maths or sciences could find English Language an appealing option. After all, pairing these A Levels with a subject that relies heavily on essay-writing skills will show that you’re a well-rounded individual with diverse talents.
Why study English Language A Level?
Still umming and ahhing about whether you should study English Language A Level? Here are just a few reasons to add this subject to your A Level choices.
- Enjoyment. If you love language and communication, English Language A Level could be right up your street.
- Valuable skills. English Language A Level will help you to develop valuable skills, such as critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Career goals. English Language A Level often appeals to students who want to go into careers such as teaching, journalism, marketing, politics and law.
- Well-rounded. English Language A Level is a well-rounded course that goes with lots of different subjects.
- Well respected. This subject is well respected and will stand you in good stead in your later studies.
- Stand out. The number of students taking English Language A Level has dropped in recent years, so having it on your CV could help you to stand out.
Find a tutor to help you pass your English Language A Level
As you can see, English Language A Level can be challenging. But it’s definitely a challenge that’s worth taking!
Looking to give yourself the best chance of passing your English Language A Level with flying colours? Why not find an A Level English tutor to help?
An English tutor will be able to give you the dedicated time and one-on-one attention you need to help you reach your full potential in this subject.
From week-by-week plans to practice exams, they’ll tailor their teaching to suit your strengths, weaknesses and learning style, so you don’t just pass your English Language A Level but ace it!
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
Is it hard to get an A in English Language A Level?
Yes, it can be hard to get an A in English Language A Level.
In fact, just 12.3% of pupils got a grade A or A* in English Language in 2023, according to FFT Education Datalab. This is compared to an average of 27.2% across all subjects.
That said, with the right support and hard work, there’s no reason why you can’t be amongst them! Our experienced handpicked tutors can help.
Why is English A Level so hard?
Students who find English A Level hard often dislike the fact that there isn’t one right answer the majority of the time.
In subjects like maths and the sciences, there’s a right and wrong. But in English, you’ll often need to come up with your own response to language and can even be assessed on your own writing.
Our guide to what happens if you fail your A Levels has advice and guidance to help you if you don’t get the grades you’re after. But with the right help from a dedicated tutor, there’s no reason why you can’t reach your goals!
Is English Language AS Level hard?
English Language AS Level is around the same difficulty as the English Language A Level as a whole.
This isn’t surprising as in Wales and Northern Ireland, students who choose to continue the subject beyond AS will have their AS grade count towards their overall A Level result.
According to FFT Education Datalab, 12.5% of students achieved A grades in English Language AS Level. This is compared to 26.1% for all subjects.
Which subject is hardest in A level?
Further Maths is widely seen as the most difficult A Level subject.
This is because it’s designed to be harder than regular A Level maths. In this way, it’s meant to really stretch the most able of students.
That said, every student is different. So, the hardest A Level subject for one won’t be the same for another.
Is English Language A Level a soft subject?
Yes, English Language is often considered to be a ‘soft’ subject, despite being academically rigorous.
Soft subjects include subjects such as business studies, performance studies and often even psychology.
On the other hand, traditional subjects like maths, sciences, languages and English Literature are generally accepted as being ‘hard’ subjects – otherwise known as facilitating subjects.
Do universities prefer English Literature or Language?
That will likely depend on what you’re hoping to study at university.
However, many top universities will expect applicants to have at least one A Level in a facilitating subject. The Russell Group universities (a group of 24 leading universities in the UK) typically view English Literature as a facilitating subject and not English Language.
This indicates that English Literature may be more sought-after – although every university will be different!
Is A Level English Language easier than Literature?
That depends on your skill set and interests.
While English Literature focuses on literary texts including novels, poetry and drama, English Language focuses on the mechanics of the language itself. In this way, English Language is more technical.
That said, it’s harder to access the top grades in English Language A Level. Data from FFT Education Datalab shows that, in 2023, 25.9% of pupils got a grade A or A* in English Literature, compared to just 12.3% in English Language.
If you’re choosing between the two, head over to our guide about how hard English Literature A Level is to compare.
