📘 English Language & Literature — Short Description & Course Overview

🧠 Short Description

English Language & Literature is a combined course that develops learners’ skills in understanding, analysing, and using English in both literary and real-world contexts. It blends the study of how English works (language) with the interpretation of literary texts such as poetry, prose and drama, helping students to think critically, communicate clearly, and appreciate a wide range of written expression. 

📚 Course Overview

📌 What This Course Involves

This subject typically covers two main areas:

🔹 English Language Study

• Understanding how language functions in different contexts.

• Writing clearly, effectively and for a range of purposes (creative, discursive, argumentative).

• Analysing how writers use language to achieve effects and influence audiences. 

🔹 English Literature Study

• Reading, interpreting and evaluating poetry, prose and drama from various periods and cultures.

• Exploring themes, characters, narrative techniques, and the ways writers shape meaning.

• Developing appreciation of literary form, context and style. 

📌 Typical Learning Goals

By studying English Language & Literature, learners:

• Develop critical reading and thinking skills.
  Build strong written communication skills for different audiences and purposes.
  Understand writers’ choices of language, structure and form and why they make them. 

• Learn to form independent interpretations and arguments about texts. 

📌 Typical Content

Students study:
✔ Literary texts — including poetry, prose and drama from different times and cultures. 
✔ Language use — analysing how language choices convey meaning, tone and effect.
✔ Writing skills — creative, analytical, discursive and argumentative writing. 

🧠 Assessment

Assessment usually involves written examinations that test students’ ability to:
• Analyse unseen texts and extract meaning. 
• Write fluently and accurately for given purposes. 
• Respond to set texts with critical insight and personal interpretation. 

🎯 Why Study It?

This combined course is excellent for students who want to:
✨ Improve communication and literacy skills. 
✨ Explore how language shapes thought and culture. 
✨ Understand literature’s impact on society and ideas. 
✨ Prepare for further study in humanities, law, communications, journalism or arts. 

Example (Cambridge International):
The AS & A Level English Language & Literature syllabus (8695) encourages appreciation of literary texts, improves learners’ understanding of English use, and develops advanced reading and writing skills across a range of styles and audiences.