BEING WITHDRAWN. Final first teaching September 2026, final assessment June 2027, no resit. One cohort remains. No set texts anywhere, so the whole specification is copyright-cleared source territory. Section marks are asymmetric at 24 and 36 in both components, not an even split. Phonetics is assessed in Component 01 Section B only, never Section A, and at least one spoken text is always included there. AO5 must always be paired with AO2, AO3 or AO4 and is never assessed alone. The A-level sibling H470 is NOT withdrawn and is a separate document, still unmapped.
Component 01: Exploring language
90 minutes · 60 marks · 50 per cent
Section A: Understanding language features in context (24 marks)
One compulsory open question on a short unseen WRITTEN text. Phonetics is not assessed here
Section B: Comparing and contrasting texts (36 marks)
One compulsory comparison across modes. At least one SPOKEN text is always included
Component 02: Exploring contexts
90 minutes · 60 marks · 50 per cent
Section A: Writing about a topical language issue (24 marks)
Original writing with a real-world purpose, form and audience given. AO5 assessed here, always paired
Section B: Exploring language in context (36 marks)
Choose ONE of two unseen multi-modal texts: gender theories or power theories