English Courses

English is the world’s most important and widely-used language. It is the language of most international communication.

Those of us for whom English is our first language are lucky and we should make the most of that good fortune. There is a strong link between language skills and success in almost all aspects of our lives. The ability to express ourselves effectively can even make us happier!

English Language or Literature?

English is not only the world’s dominant language – it is also the language of much of the world’s great literature. We can enjoy and study that literature at many different levels and find out how to get the best out of our reading and unlock the secrets of great writers like Shakespeare, Keats and Dickens, as well as such modern greats as Stoppard, Atwood and McEwan.

Studying literature enhances our understanding of the language and vice versa, so most schools and colleges insist on both English Language and English Literature.

English and Career Development

Because good language skills are important to almost every career, there are every few employers who will not look at your level of attainment in English, even if it is not a specific requirement. A large number of higher education courses (including teacher training) require English GCSE to grade C or better, so that is the bare minimum that most people should aim for.

But if you love language and literature, why not aim a little higher? Our A-level courses will open up a whole new world of ideas for you.