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!
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
17 model answers student written graded A/ A*.
There is a student model essay here covering every section of both exam papers, as well as both parts of the NEA & a bank of exam style essay questions to try yourself… no wonder its a best seller! You’ll be fully prepared to tackle the exam.
Show your students another student’s approach to the essays and opinion articles… worth £74… save over £50.
Anyone can memorize theories, facts and grammar. But do you know how to link these up and create a line of argument? See another student’s approach to the exam questions with this bunch of essay answers, all graded in the top band and written by an actual student.
The breakdown:
**NEA;
**
A* example student written language investigation
A* example student written original writing and commentary
**Paper 1 Section A:
**
2 example essay answers for q1,2,3 graded A*
**Paper 1 Section B:
**
child language example A* essay answer
**Paper 2 Section A:
**
2 gender A* essay answers
accent and dialect A* essay answers
sociolect A* essay answer
occupation A* essay answer
world english A* essay answer
language change A* essay answer
**Paper 2 Section B:
**
2 language discourses example essay answers
opinion article examples on AS topics
opinion article example on non std varieties of english i.e. world
You may be interested in…
BOTH PAPERS: Notes for revision & all Essays
PAPER 2: Notes & essays
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
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
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
I created this revision resource so that I had a pre-prepared headline, strapline and engaging opening for every opinion article that could crop up. Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017.
Struggling to open your articles quickly with a creative headline and opening? This is the resource for you!
Why it works:
Be inspired to create a witty opening for every article
See how to address Text A & B in your openings (crucial for A Level exam)
Save time in the exam getting stuck on a headline
Versatile headlines and openings that could be re-worked no matter the topic
Model top band opinion articles for every topic
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
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 ;)
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
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
I’ve created a comprehensive set of notes for every topic in A Level English Language. There are 9 pages 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:
introduction as to why english is a world language
how English spread - inner, outer and explanding circle (kachru’s model)
English and India case study
English and the Caribbean case study
English and Australia case study
American English case study
Advantages and disadvantges of a world language
Singlish
Chinglish
Hinglish
the rise of outer circle english speaking countries and the impact this will have on English in the future
MLE
pidgins and creoles
Tok Pisin
Pitcairnese
and more…
Possible essay questions
Notes for all six topics in A Level English Language
Model essays for all topics in A Level English Language
Have you seen this? https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/world-english-revision-and-example-essay-a-level-english-language-new-spec-11873520
Includes this summary sheet, an example world english essay, an example student article, a revision checklist and a bank of loads of practice essay questions for you to try.
Top band, student written model opinion article for A Level English Language. Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017.
This model article demonstrates how to convey understanding of linguistic ideas by evaluating and challenging the views presented in the text and by other linguists. Students of all abilities will benefit from an example of effective article writing which they can emulate in their own work.
Why it works:
Shows how to assess ideas from the texts within your own article
Demonstrates how to balance engaging writing with linguistic content
Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) articles
Easily turned into an assessment because text A & B are included. The model article can be used for reflection afterwards
I have also included a powerpoint that encourages students to look at each text in detail, make meaningful comments on it & then use these ideas to plan an opinion article answer. Would work well as the premise of a lesson but is not a full lesson powerpoint.
Model essays for all topics in A Level English Language
Write an opinion article about language diversity and variation in which you assess the ideas and issues raised in Text A and Text B and argue your own views.
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
Complete revision for Paper 2. I give you the NOTES so you can revise the theory and then an example student ESSAY so you can see how to tackle the exam. Plus a bank of practice questions. Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017.
Paper 2 Section A
Question 1:
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
big bank of practice questions
Paper 2 Section B
Question 3:
language discourses example essay answer
Question 4:
opinion article examples
opinion article example exploring Text A & B
opinion article revision on how to create engaging openings
Total revision for Paper 1 AND 2
Find me on Twitter @astarlevels
6 top band, model articles and a worksheet helping students create engaging headlines, straplines and openings. Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017.
Why they work:
* Shows how to assess ideas from the texts within your own article
* Demonstrates how to balance engaging writing with linguistic content
* Produced by a student who achieved an A* in 2017
* Can be reworked as a template for your future (brilliant!) articles
Includes:
- 4 example articles (gender, occupation, sociolect, accent & dialect)
- 1 article on language diversity that draws on ideas in Text A & B
- 1 article on world English & non std varieties
- 1 article revision sheet helping students plan engaging openings
A* notes for every topic in Paper 2 for A Level English Language!
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!)
Essentially, they includes lots of key studies/ ideas/ theories – a total set of notes for each topic. Read them, learn them, practice writing essays with them and use them in the exam - you’ll be on your way to success!
I also have model essays for every topic in this paper!
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*!
Checklist to guide revision for A Level English Language. Guides students to revise & plan an essay question for every topic & question.
Please see my shop for all my resources to help revise and practice for A Level English Language!
This is a collection of exam questions for the new AQA Psychology specification (2016) focused on the topic of cognitive psych/ memory. I also have made workbooks for attachment, social psych and psychopathology - if you liked this then don’t miss them - linked below!!
The questions are usefully grouped so that once you have revised the topic you can test yourself on a range of questions that have appeared in the past, giving you ample opportunities to get familiar with the types of questions the exam board have asked in the past and no doubt will again.
Even students who can recite their notes off by heart may struggle to achieve the top grades because they have poor exam technique, but this workbook is the ideal resource to improve exam technique simply by practicing!
I have meticulously gone through past papers for the old specification and carefully selected the most relevant questions to the new spec, allowing students to prepare for exam questions that are likely to reappear. I found this very useful on the way to getting an A*.
I also have these workbooks for attachment, social psychology and psychopathology-
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/attachment-exam-question-booklet-a-level-psychology-aqa-new-spec-11684162
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/social-psychology-exam-question-booklet-a-level-psychology-aqa-new-spec-11684168
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/psychopathology-revision-exam-question-booklet-a-level-psychology-aqa-new-spec-11684165
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