How many papers are in OCR A-Level English Language?

Two written papers plus a non-exam assessment. Component 01 (Exploring language, 2h 30m, 80 marks) is 40%. Component 02 (Dimensions of linguistic variation, 2h 30m, 80 marks) is 40%. Component 03 (Independent language research, 40 marks) is 20%.

What topics does OCR A-Level English Language cover?

Component 01 covers language under the microscope, writing about a topical language issue, and comparing and contrasting texts. Component 02 covers child language acquisition, language in the media, and language change. The NEA is a student-chosen language investigation.

Do I need to learn language acquisition theories?

Yes, Component 02 includes child language acquisition. Learn Chomsky (LAD), Skinner (behaviourist), Bruner (LASS), Piaget (cognitive) and Vygotsky (social interaction), and be able to apply them to spoken and written data.

How does OCR differ from AQA and Edexcel?

OCR has 2 papers + NEA (40/40/20). AQA has 2 papers + NEA (40/40/20). Edexcel has 3 papers + NEA (35/20/25/20). OCR weights AO5 (creative use of English) at 11%, the lowest of the three boards. AO3 (analysis of context and language) is the largest AO at OCR at 28%.

Does Cognito cover OCR A-Level English Language?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for OCR A-Level English Language (H470). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

OCR A-Level English Language (H470) Specification

Q: What is the independent language research NEA?

A language investigation worth 20% of the A-Level and 40 marks, based on primary data you collect on a self-chosen topic. Section A is the investigation report, 2,000-2,500 words excluding raw data and appendices (30 marks). Section B is an academic poster presenting your findings, 750-1,000 words (10 marks). Task titles must be approved by OCR. Teacher-assessed and moderated by OCR.

OCR A-Level English Language (H470) is a two-year linear qualification split into two written components plus a non-exam assessment. Component 01 (Exploring language) and Component 02 (Dimensions of linguistic variation) each carry 40% of the marks, and the independent language research NEA (Component 03) is worth the remaining 20%.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. Exploring language
Component 01
- Section A: Language under the microscope (20 marks)
- Section B: Writing about a topical language issue for a real-world purpose, form and audience (24 marks)
- Section C: Comparing and contrasting texts (36 marks)
2. Dimensions of linguistic variation
Component 02
- Section A: Child language acquisition (20 marks)
- Section B: Language in the media (24 marks)
- Section C: Language change (36 marks)
3. Independent language research (NEA)
Component 03
- Language investigation on a chosen topic (drawing on primary data)
- Academic poster presenting findings

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Component 01 (Exploring language)	Analysing language use, writing about a topical language issue, and comparing texts	2h 30m	80	40%	Section A Language under the microscope (20 marks); Section B Writing about a topical language issue (24 marks); Section C Comparing and contrasting texts (36 marks)
Component 02 (Dimensions of linguistic variation)	Child language acquisition, language in the media, and language change	2h 30m	80	40%	Data-based analysis and essay questions
Component 03 (Independent language research)	Language investigation of a chosen topic with primary data	Coursework	40	20%	Section A independent investigation report of 2,000-2,500 words excluding raw data and appendices (30 marks); Section B academic poster of 750-1,000 words (10 marks); task titles require OCR approval. Teacher-assessed and moderated by OCR

PaperComponent 01 (Exploring language)

What's assessedAnalysing language use, writing about a topical language issue, and comparing texts

Length2h 30m

Marks80

Weight40%

Question typesSection A Language under the microscope (20 marks); Section B Writing about a topical language issue (24 marks); Section C Comparing and contrasting texts (36 marks)

PaperComponent 02 (Dimensions of linguistic variation)

What's assessedChild language acquisition, language in the media, and language change

Length2h 30m

Marks80

Weight40%

Question typesData-based analysis and essay questions

PaperComponent 03 (Independent language research)

What's assessedLanguage investigation of a chosen topic with primary data

LengthCoursework

Marks40

Weight20%

Question typesSection A independent investigation report of 2,000-2,500 words excluding raw data and appendices (30 marks); Section B academic poster of 750-1,000 words (10 marks); task titles require OCR approval. Teacher-assessed and moderated by OCR

The NEA (Component 03) is student-led and requires primary data collection.

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Apply concepts and methods from integrated linguistic study, using terminology and coherent written expression.	27%
AO2	Demonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use.	22%
AO3	Analyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with meaning.	28%
AO4	Explore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods.	12%
AO5	Demonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways.	11%

AOAO1

What it meansApply concepts and methods from integrated linguistic study, using terminology and coherent written expression.

Overall27%

AOAO2

What it meansDemonstrate critical understanding of concepts and issues relevant to language use.

Overall22%

AOAO3

What it meansAnalyse and evaluate how contextual factors and language features are associated with meaning.

Overall28%

AOAO4

What it meansExplore connections across texts, informed by linguistic concepts and methods.

Overall12%

AOAO5

What it meansDemonstrate expertise and creativity in the use of English to communicate in different ways.

Overall11%

assessment objectives

Start the NEA investigation early
Independent language research needs real data (spoken recordings, texts, questionnaires) and time to analyse. Start scoping the topic in year 12.
Master linguistic frameworks
Phonology, lexis, grammar, semantics, pragmatics, discourse. AO1 rewards accurate use across both components.
Practise writing about language issues under time pressure
Component 01 Section B asks you to write about a topical language issue for a real-world purpose, form and audience. Practise the likely forms (article, opinion piece, blog, talk) under timed conditions.
Learn child language acquisition theories
Component 02 covers child language. Chomsky (LAD), Skinner, Bruner, Piaget, Vygotsky, know each and apply them to data.
Build a language change bank
Component 02 rewards specific examples of English changing. Keep a running bank throughout the course (loan words, semantic shifts, grammatical changes).
Don't neglect AO5 even though it's only 11%
AO5 (creative use of English) is the smallest weighting at OCR, but it's assessed in Component 01 Section B, where you write about a topical language issue for a real-world purpose, form and audience. Practise varied and effective writing in the likely forms so you don't lose easy marks.

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A-Level English Language (OCR)

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A-Level English Language (H470) Specification

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