After achieving an A* in 2017, I am sharing my quality revision notes, essays, templates and tactics to help ambitious students reach their goals. These resources have proven a hit across the globe with students and teachers alike - download yourself to see why!
Chat with me on twitter @astarlevels or just drop me an email... happy revising!
After achieving an A* in 2017, I am sharing my quality revision notes, essays, templates and tactics to help ambitious students reach their goals. These resources have proven a hit across the globe with students and teachers alike - download yourself to see why!
Chat with me on twitter @astarlevels or just drop me an email... happy revising!
Looking for a complete revision bundle for Paper 1 and 2? Look no further!
I give you the notes so you can learn the theory and the example student written essay so you can see how to tackle the exam question. All produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017.
No need for super expensive (and over-the-top extensive) revision guides. These notes and essays fully cover the AQA English Language A Level to get you feeling totally prepared for your exam.
**Paper 1 Section A:
**
example essay answer for q1,2,3 graded A*
**Paper 1 Section B:
**
child language spoken revision notes
child language written and multi modal revision notes
child language example A* essay answer
**Paper 2 Section A:
**
gender complete revision notes
accent and dialect complete revision notes
sociolect complete revision notes
occupation complete revision notes
world english complete revision notes
language change complete revision notes
gender A* essay answer
accent and dialect A* essay answer
sociolect A* essay answer
occupation A* essay answer
world english A* essay answer
language change A* essay answer
**Paper 2 Section B:
**
language discourses example essay answer
opinion article examples
**Plus:
**
bank of practice questions
DM me on Twitter @astarlevels if you have any questions ;)
This original writing and commentary was submitted to AQA in summer 2017 and awarded an A*. This makes it the perfect example to show students what is required of them in the NEA. Includes full original writing & corresponding commentary.
The original writing was based on Power of Persuasion.
Why it works:
* Shows how to use current A Level study to produce & analyse their own writing
* Demonstrates how to organise & structure the commentary by drawing on own work & the style model
* Can be reworked as a template for *your* future (brilliant!) NEA
I also have an example of the language investigation: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/a-level-english-language-nea-a-example-language-investigation-11721765
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
This language investigation was submitted to AQA in summer 2017 and awarded an A*. This makes it the perfect example to show students what is required of them in the NEA. Includes full 5 page write up & data used.
Title: An investigation into the language used by politicians in resignation speeches
Why it works:
* Shows how to use current A Level study as a toolkit to study language
* Demonstrates how to organise & structure the write-up
* Example of the level of analysis & interpretation needed for highest grades
* Can be reworked as a template for *your* future (brilliant!) NEA
I also have an example of the directed writing & commentary: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/original-writing-and-commentary-example-nea-11721778
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
3 student written model answer for A Level English Language. Includes both sources/ texts so can be set as a mock too.
This essay demonstrates how to apply linguistic methods & terminology to texts in order to explore how language is used to create meaning. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work.
Why it works:
Shows how to select and analyse a range of language features, as well as how to demonstrate awareness of context and how meaning was created
Includes text A & B so can be set as a practice paper
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Two transcripts of conversations between mother and 3 y/o daughter with an accompanying activity sheet.
Activity sheet will guide students through the initially daunting task of analysing large chunks of data.
Beginning with labeling and searching for features, then, later, getting students to combine what is in front of them with the theory they have been taught.
Throughout the tasks, students are encouraged to think about theories, how to explain these, and the importance of labeling features to score AO1.
By the end of the sheet, students will have written one paragraph to an essay question. Since you have access to the essay question and transcript, you could set it as a mock question after.
Model essay based on the data used in this activity sold separately
17/09/18: thanks to the teacher who suggested I add an answer sheet… now included for free!
Hope it helps and check out my shop for more! Follow me @astarlevels on twitter :-)
I’ve created a comprehensive set of notes for every topic in A Level English Language. They are full of theorists, linguists, facts, stats, examples, real world application and more. I used these notes only alongside practice questions & achieved an A* in 2017.
Why they work:
Easy to learn, concise, bullet point revision notes
Omitted endless details on methodology and results
Replaced these with meaningful comments on each study to form the basis of your argument in the exam (crucial to enter top bands!)
Summary sheet includes:
definitions
opinions on accent inc: Giles, Ryan, COMRES, Montgomery
non std features inc: Petyt, Trudgill, is there a gender difference in the way we modify our accent?, code switching
Identity is closely linked inc: grime music, accommodation theory, Osborne in the 2013 election, Watson, real world application in school and work, policing language
Notes for all six topics in A Level English Language
Model essays for all topics in A Level English Language
Includes two transcripts with accompanying activity sheet & top band model essay response based on the data included.
Why it works:
Activity sheet guides students through the initially daunting task of analysing large chunks of data
Example essay shows students how to approach the question and balance data analysis with child language acquisition theories
Easily turned into a mock question since data is included
Essay can be used as a marking activity
Notes on spoken & written CLA, transcript activity and example essay bundle
Rated 5*!
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language. Language and social group/ sociolect.
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work. There is also a marking activity at the end & opportunity for students to plan their own answer to the question.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
3 student written model answer for A Level English Language Paper 1 section A. The answer includes examiner commentary. Includes both sources/ texts that the answers are based on so it can be set as a mock too.
This essay demonstrates how to apply linguistic methods & terminology to texts in order to explore how language is used to create meaning. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work.
Why it works:
Shows how to select and analyse a range of language features, as well as how to demonstrate awareness of context and how meaning was created
Includes text A & B so can be set as a practice paper
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Complete revision for Child Language Acquisition. Revision notes to consolidate knowledge, transcript analysis activity for exam practice & a model essay to see a top band essay response.
Why they work:
Easy to learn, concise, bullet point revision notes
Model essay shows how to structure a top band response
Worksheet guides students through analysing a transcript and combining with linguistic theory
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Feel confident for your exam
Chat with me on Twitter @astarlevels
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language.
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work. There is also a marking activity at the end & opportunity for students to plan their own answer to the question.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Includes examiner commentary & overall mark with feedback
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
I’ve created a comprehensive set of notes for every topic in A Level English Language. There are 9 pages here full of theorists, linguists, facts, stats, examples, real world application and more. I used these notes only alongside practice questions & achieved an A* in 2017.
Why they work:
Easy to learn, concise, bullet point revision notes
Omitted endless details on methodology and results
Replaced these with meaningful comments on each study to form the basis of your argument in the exam (crucial to enter top bands!)
Summary sheet includes:
theories and models of change i.e. S curve, semantic reclamation, descriptivism/ prescriptivism, damp spoon/ crumbling castle/ infectious disease, substratum theory, wave model, functional theory
metaphors for change and language discourses
a table of linguists and their studies, findings, opinions (really useful to refer to)
detailed breakdown of debate over whether language change is a process of evolution or decay
texting and change
how new words cause change
politcal corrrectness and change
technology and language change
outline of answer to essay question ‘discuss how new words enter the language’
Notes for all six topics in A Level English Language
Model essays for all topics in A Level English Language
Check out my shop for more: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language. I have a model essay for every topic (17 in total).
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work. There is also a marking activity at the end & opportunity for students to plan their own answer to the question.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Includes marker annotations, mark for each AO2 and overall comments - extremely useful!
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources
Written, tried and tested by me, an A* student from 2017. Downloaded, used and loved by teachers & students across the country!
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language. Evaluate the idea that children’s linguistic development is the result of an innate capacity to learn language.
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. The model answer shows how to approach an essay question requiring data analysis and application of theory. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Demonstrates how to balance data analysis with theory application
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
ALL my child language acquisition resources
This essay plus the transcript it is based on and an activity sheet guiding students through writing their own paragraph
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources
REVIEW on the bundle: A great set of resources in an area of study that is limited for materials. I particularly like the model CLD lesson and essay about Jess. If you have any more materials like this such as good CLD model essays and questions I’d certainly be interested. Thanks for your hard work and excellent value! - EnglishThings
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language Paper 2 Question 3 on Language Discourses.
This essay demonstrates how to analyse the way that two texts use language to present ideas, attitudes and opinions in similar and different ways. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work.
Why it works:
Shows how to structure an answer to this question that addresses all 3 AOs
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
This particular response was awarded 33/40
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
To find the texts used to write this essay download my free mock exam
I have another example marked with examiner commentary essay for this question on my shop, check it out!
Example student written model article on world & nonstandard English
Why they work:
* Top band article shows how to balance engaging style with linguistic theories
* Idea of headlines, straplines & openings
* Use as a style model for your future (brilliant!) articles!
I also made a resource with a headline, strapline & engaging opening for every topic that you could be required to write an article on. This is a great tool for students to avoid wasting time starting articles and getting straight on with it. Find it here https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/opinion-article-revision-a-level-english-language-11683007
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language.
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work. There is also an opportunity for students to plan their own answer to the question.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Useful as a concise summary of key theories in essay format
Marking activity for student reflection
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
Written by an a student who got an A* in 2017 and download, used and loved by countless students and teachers across the country. Download to get the full essay PDF. Small sample section deliberately shown in preview
Top band, student written model answer for A Level English Language.
This essay demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the question and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective essay writing which they can emulate in their own work. There is also a marking activity at the end & opportunity for students to plan their own answer to the question.
Why it works:
Shows how to select, arrange & argue the most important ideas in essays
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) essays
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Check out my shop for more essays and revision resources: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/astarlevels
Used in relation to AQA A Level English Language to get discussions going on the way different occupational groups may use language. Would make a good starter…
A little freebie to say ‘thank you’ to everyone that has supported the shop!
Follow my twitter to stay updated with more essential free resources and news - @astarlevels
Everything I think that I did, that others might not have, that helped me achieve an A* in 2017. Techniques and advice, student to student, to make revision effective, efficient and relevant to the exam. I truly believe that anyone can do well with the right approach. So here we go!
My article links you to other free resources i have, like mock exams, templates and essays, which can be downloaded with a TES account.
I have written five pages that explain my unique approach to:
saying something useful about studies/ theories
analysing data/ grammar
getting AO3 marks
planning essays and using these to hack the exam <-- game changer!
reducing workload
memorising theory
Follow my twitter @astarlevels and check out the linked resources at the end that will no doubt help you revise.
Good luck you can do it!!! :-)