AQA A level English Language Past Papers

Our AS and A-level English Language specifications will enable students to build on the skills they’ve developed at GCSE, by engaging creatively and critically with a wide range of texts and discourses.

Our flexible specifications give you the scope to bring your own unique skills and specialisms to the classroom, and get the best possible results for your students.

You’ll use exciting and relevant text and data-based sources to teach what you enjoy and to inspire your students in their study of English Language.

Our English AS and A-levels provide strong stand-alone qualifications that are designed to be co-teachable. This gives you and your students valuable choice.

Why choose AQA for AS and A-level English Language

Specifications designed for you and your students

We have worked closely with teachers and universities to develop relevant, engaging and up-to-date content that reflects contemporary language study.

With exciting text- and data-based sources of language, the specifications introduce the study of English in its various forms and contexts, with the concepts and methods appropriate for the analysis of language underpinning all elements of the course.

Offering clear skills progression from GCSE, these courses allow students to build on the skills already gained and prepare for their next steps.

The variety of assessment styles used, such as data analysis, discursive essays, directed writing, original writing and research-based investigative writing, allows students to develop a wide range of skills. These include critical reading, data analysis, evaluation, the ability to develop and sustain arguments and a number of different writing skills which are invaluable for both further study and future employment.

Teach AS and A-level together

Both AS and A-level courses provide strong stand-alone qualifications that are fully co-teachable so that you can choose the approach that best suits your, and your students’, needs.

Independent learning

The A-level non-exam assessment component provides opportunities for students to pursue their own areas of interest and develop personal and independent learning skills.

We support you every step of the way

To support teaching and learning we provide a comprehensive range of resources, including a digital resource bank and access to the largest network of English teachers facilitated through our national Subject advocate network.

Learn more about our English qualifications at aqa.org.uk/english  

Support and resources to help you teach

We know that support and resources are vital for your teaching and that you have limited time to find or develop good quality materials. So we’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.

Teaching resources

We have a comprehensive range of English Language resources. Visit aqa.org.uk/7702   to see them all. They include:

• a digital resource bank, which will include a wide range of free, interactive resources to support the teaching of English Language, English Literature and English Language and Literature
• marked and annotated student responses to the questions on our specimen papers, with senior examiner commentaries
• Subject advocates, who will support you in the transition to the new specification and facilitate local and regional network and update meetings
• student textbooks and digital resources that have been checked and endorsed by AQA
• training courses to help you deliver AQA qualifications
• subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration.

Preparing for exams

Visit aqa.org.uk/7702 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including:

• past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports
• specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses
• exemplar student answers with examiner commentaries.

Analyse your students’ results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)

Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era  

For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results  

Keep your skills up to date with professional development

Wherever you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills.

• Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements.
• Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management courses.

You can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online – whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at coursesandevents.aqa.org.uk  

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