A Level English Language Tutor

[Hecho]

Hi. I'm hoping for advice/recommendations. My daughter needs an A in English Language A Level to get her offer place at her chosen university. She's predicted an A, but isn't confident she'll get it and would like help preparing for the exams. She'd prefer face to face (we're in Hampshire). I've looked online, and it looks like a bit of a jungle: after sending one enquiry I've just had a conversation with a bot, which was unsettling! 😅What's the best way to go about this? Thank you!

You're going to struggle finding a tutor for A-Level English Language. It's rarely chosen in comparison to Literature, largely because it has more in common with Linguistics than GCSE English Language.

Why would the course components mean nobody would cover it? English literature is a separate subject and nobody is talking about GCSE?

I potentially offer it - I've taught language for 15 years, but I don't do face to face and don't live near you I'm afraid

If you DM I have some options, including some zoom and some written feedback on her work at the current standard

Assuming it's for AQA, probably the biggest thing she needs to work on is labelling and grammar - it's often what students forget to do or it's not precise enough. That helps across the board. Evaluation is important for high grades so linking everything to the question and coming to a conclusion not just a kind of 'here's what I know' discursive essay

The Seneca online learning course is also good for recall practise

That’s just not true. Lots of teachers teach both and Lang has a range of modules and coursework including Language Change Over Time, Child Language Acquisition, Language and Gender etc. OP try agencies but possibly also email Heads if English at local schools/ 6th form colleges. Teachers often do some tutoring on the side.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll go through your replies with my daughter tomorrow afternoon (she's working today, college tomorrow) then we'll work out the best plan. Enjoy your Sunday!

It's not a popular choice in schools as most pupils who are interested in or good at English choose Literature.

English Language is more for those interested in English as a social science.

It's a perfectly good A Level though.

In my sixth form English language is actually the more popular choice. I completely understand the value of PP's point that it prepares students for degrees in linguistics, which I agree are often separate from literature depts at university, but I am surprised that parents would be told generally that availability in tutoring would be limited. It's not exactly a niche subject.

Edited to add: apologies, I referred to PP, but having checked, see it was your own post on which I'd commented!

English Language had 13,000 entries in England last year.

English Literature had 34,000.

And? German's at 2000 and French at 6500. They're still valuable subjects, there are still tutors covering the specifications, and they both need capitalisation like English - unlike language or literature.

Also, in the grand scheme of things, 34000 isn't 90000 maths entries...

Language and Literature both should be capitalised in this instance, as you can see on the official exam board specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8702/specification

I did not say it would be impossible to find a tutor, I said they would struggle, which they are.

I said it was not a popular A-Level choice. That is also true.

I have no axe to grind against it as a subject, I'm simply stating the facts.