A level english literature or langauge?

[waikikamookau]

dd can't decide.
she had a taster session for English language, and enjoyed it,

is it a good a level?

is it new, I only know of English literature a level,

she likes poetry, btw and has only recently got interested in reading books so perhaps literature is not such a good choice?

[CorrieDale]

The language a level has been around for ages - I fancied doing it myself, 25 year ago. The teacher talked me out if it but i still think it might gave been fun. Literature is the harder and more highly regarded option.

[waikikamookau]

yes, I like the thought of language myself.
hmm.
thanks anyway.

[Leeds2]

Literature is perceived to be the "better" option, I think. May be important if she wanted to study at a RG university, for example.

If she wanted to study linguistics at uni though, I would've thought language would be a better choice.

Should add that at DD's recent A Level Options Evening, the Head of English told her that she was a strong candidate, therefore should only consider doing literature. Fwiw.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I did English Language at A level. The literature course studied Chaucer. We did Bronte. I would have learned both but I wasn't allowed. Sorry, this doesn't help. I am a writer now though so I suppose the A level helped.

[PeriPathetic]

I did both lit and Lang A levels in about 1993 as a mature student. I loved both, but by far the most interesting was Language. I was under the impression it was a fairly new option, but I guess I was wrong.
It's a lot more academic than the Lit, need to really know all the grammar rules etc. I studied all the different types of English from Pidgin to Creole. And a whole heap more besides!

[wordfactory]

Literature is considered the more rigorous.

[eatyourveg]

It is possible to do a joint lang/lit A level. Check that if she opts for uni, that the course she wants, accepts language. I'd go for literature or the joint lang/lit if she is undecided on a particular course

[englishteacher78]

I studied both separately and at my last school taught the joint. The joint is really not enjoyable - bad combination.
Literature is the more rigorous. You would not need Language at A Level to study Linguistics at university. AQA are introducing a Creative Writing A Level in September which looks like an interesting additional study.

[chestnut100]

I did literature and loved it. I think it's such a brilliant course and will set her up well for whatever future choices she makes. I went on to study law. I found that the skills I developed via my literature, such as structuring a well balanced essay, critical thinking, and being able to pick key points out of a text made higher level studies really quite straightforward.

[Frenchvanilla]

I did both.

The literature is the more artsy one. Language is more social sciencey- literally a study of the English language ie linguistics. It'll be very different to anything she's studied in English before.

Can't she do both? There was no content overlap in mine.

[Caitycat]

The idea that lit is more rigorous is outdated and rather snobby! Lang is interesting and complex but more related to linguistics than English as a university study. If she wants to do English at university I would advise doing lit as it is better preparation for this course (although there is nothing wrong with doing both). Otherwise she should choose whichever she finds more interesting I have not encountered any university that does not value Lang as a "proper" academic subject and that includes Oxford, Cambridge and the other Russell group ones!

[englishteacher78]

You may consider it snobby but it certainly feels less rigorous to me. Also, you need English Lit to do a Lit degree Lang is not necessary. It is not, I believe an 'enabling' A Level. That said, if we are discussing the choice for fourth subject then I'd always go for the subject you'd enjoy most/get the best grade in.

[WaitingForMe]

I did English Language in 1999 and went to an RG university to study social sciences. It was a brilliant foundation and really enjoyable.

[Caitycat]

I'm sorry Englishteacher I didn't mean to be rude to you and I agree (as I said in my post) that it is necessary for the further study of lit at uni but it is an "enabling" subject and is highly regarded by every university I have encountered (and I have encountered many many universities!) as long as you aren't trying to use it as the basis for studying English.

[englishteacher78]

My other worry with Lang and Lang/lit is the students see it as an easy option (they speak it after all). This can often lead to difficult class dynamics. My own English Language A Level was a strange group (I switched after a term and a half after realising I really didn't care enough about plants to do Biology any more). My Lit class was a much better experience. My own school only does Lit, it is definitely still preferred to Lang if given the choice. BUT an A* in Lang would obviously be better than a B in Lit

[celticclan]

I studied joint English language/Literature at A level and I hated it with a passion. I had loved English at GCSE level and was considering it at degree level but A level well and truly put me off. I had enjoyed the practical and creative writing aspects of English at GCSE however there was hardly any of that at A level, it was very theoretical and as dull as dishwater. I enjoyed the literature side more even though that wasn't a strong area for me.

[cavell]

English Literature is more highly regarded and is a facilitating subject for RG universities:

"In our list of facilitating subjects, English refers to English Literature. However, individual universities will have their own admissions policies, and entrance requirements will vary by courses within institutions. In general, English Literature or a combined English Language and Literature course is required at advanced level for entry to study English at university. A few universities will also accept English Language without a Literature qualification."

www.russellgroup.ac.uk/faqs

[Frenchvanilla]

Yes, obviously, you need literature a level to study English lit at uni.

Same as you need English language a level to study english language at uni.

Obvious, surely.

They're both as prestigious as each other.

[Frenchvanilla]

"English" at uni level tends to refer to literature, though.

[englishteacher78]

You don't need English Language at A level to study it at Uni though. You need essay based subjects.

[Helpyourself]

Sorry French, that's plain wrong.
What other A Levels is she thinking of OP?

[lainiekazan]

That's an interesting point about English Language possibly attracting less able students, englishteacher78. Is the A Level easier than Literature?

The joint LangLit A Level is the WJwotsit board: does this mean this A Level is poorly regarded by top universities? I have spoken to one teacher who said that this board has less academically rigorous courses and universities are aware of this.

[englishteacher78]

The joint is not particularly good in my opinion - it really doesn't know what it's meant to be. I found Language to be a MUCH easier A Level than the Literature but that might just be me.

[JedwardScissorhands]

When I went to uni (late 90s), language wasn't accepted by some RG Unis.

[Oblomov]

This is fascinating. I did both Lit and Lang.
It is totaly interesting how things have changed and how they are now perceived.