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H470 · ocr-h470-v1, awaiting sign-off
A-level English Language
Cambridge OCR
NOT withdrawn, unlike its AS sibling H070. This is where the OCR English Language market sits. No set texts anywhere, so the whole specification is copyright-cleared source territory. Ten of the twenty-five options are shared with H070, which is co-teachable with the first year. AO percentages are irregular (27/22/28/12/11), not multiples of five, and the A-level differs from its own AS on EVERY objective. Child language acquisition is bounded at ages 0 to 7; language change runs from the 1600s only. NEA task titles need board approval EVERY series, even for repeat titles. The academic poster is unique across every specification mapped.
Component 01: Exploring language
Section A: Language under the microscope (20 marks)
One question in two parts: a lexical feature, then a grammatical feature, both in context
Section B: Writing about a topical language issue (24 marks)
Short original writing with a real-world purpose, form and audience given
Section C: Comparing and contrasting texts (36 marks)
Comparison across modes. At least one SPOKEN text is always included
Component 02: Dimensions of linguistic variation
Section A: Child language acquisition (20 marks)
Children's spoken data, ages 0 to 7 ONLY. Phonemic transcription used; the IPA list is printed in the paper
Section B: Language in the media (24 marks)
Multi-modal media text. Three theory routes offered: power, gender or technology
Section C: Language change (36 marks)
Two texts from different times. Assessment texts run from the 1600s to the present day ONLY
Component 03: Independent language research (NEA)
Section A: An independent investigation of language (30 marks)
2000 to 2500 words with quantitative analysis. Task title must be approved by the board EVERY series
Section B: The academic poster (10 marks)
750 to 1000 words. Assessed on register transformation and accuracy, explicitly NOT on artistic quality