OxfordAQA International A-Level English Language: Language Exploration (Unit 4) — Revision Notes

Unit 4 (Language exploration) of OxfordAQA International A-level English Language (9670) is worth 50 marks and 30% of the International A-level, and you take one of two routes. Unit 4a is a 2 hour 30 minute exam in which you devise a research question for data provided, analyse at least two of the texts or data sets, and write a report. Unit 4b is a non-exam assessment: a language investigation of about 2,500–3,000 words, based on data you collect yourself. For the full method, use the Unit 4 study guide.

The two routes compared

Detail	Unit 4a: written exam (3.4.1)	Unit 4b: NEA (3.4.2)
Format	Written exam, 2 hours 30 minutes	Language investigation; teacher assessed, moderated by the board
Marks	50	50
Data	Provided; one question from two, each with a different set of data on a common theme	Collected by you
Research question	Devised by you to suit the data	Devised by you
Data used	At least two texts or data sets; no task involves more than three	Your own data
Length	Exam-length report	About 2,500 words excluding data (the overview gives 2,500–3,000 words)
Write-up	Report with suggested structure	Report with required sections

The unit is synoptic: both routes test critical thinking, planning and organisation, analysis, knowledge of linguistic methods and concepts, data handling, and academic argument and report-writing.

Report structures

Unit 4a (suggested)	Unit 4b (required sections)
1. Aim(s)	1. Aim(s)
2. Method: which data was selected and why; how it is analysed	2. Method: nature of the data, how it was collected, how it is analysed
3. Analysis: findings categorised and explored in detail	3. Analysis: findings categorised and explored in detail
4. Conclusion: linked to the aim(s)	4. Conclusion: linked to the aim(s)
	5. References
	6. Appendix: data

Assessment objectives

AO	Wording	Unit 4 weighting (of the A-level)	4b NEA marks
AO1	Demonstrate understanding of methods, terminology, concepts and issues in English language	12%	20
AO2	Analyse how meanings are shaped in a range of texts and data	12%	20
AO3	Demonstrate ability to use English in different ways	6%	10

In the NEA criteria, the AO1 top level (17–20) asks you to “demonstrate an overview of issues” and “explore different views, approaches and interpretations”, including articulating aims, scope and focus “at the outset and with precision”.

Kinds of data you may meet in Unit 4a

The specification says data may be spoken, written or multimodal, and may include lists of language items (book titles, shop names, terms of address) as well as longer texts (advertising, news articles, speech extracts), linked by a common topic or theme.

NEA topic ideas from the specification (4b)

Representations of individuals or groups; local varieties of English; social varieties (special interest groups); language and power (speeches, interviews); new communication technologies; children’s language; norms and variations; the media; performance and play (drama, comedy); puzzles and games; language in the environment (signage, shop names); literary language; rituals and routines (ceremonies, greetings); code switching; occupations; historical change.

The same four question types apply: genre-based, function/use-based, attitudes-based and user-based.

Worked example: writing a 4a aim from data

Data (invented): a list of 30 café names from one city, a café’s social media post and a newspaper review.

• Weak aim: “To look at café names.”
• Strong aim: “To investigate how café names in one city use wordplay and borrowed words to suggest identity, and whether the same strategies appear in the café’s own social-media post.”
• Method: use the name list and the post (two data sets); categorise names by strategy (puns, borrowed lexis, personal names, place references); count and compare.
• Analysis: lexis and semantics (borrowing, connotation), phonology (alliteration, rhyme), pragmatics (implied audience).
• Conclusion: tentative: 30 names from one city cannot represent all cafés.

Choosing between 4a and 4b

Choose 4a if…	Choose 4b if…
You work well under timed conditions	You want to pursue an individual interest in depth
You are confident devising aims quickly	You can collect your own data ethically and in time
You prefer data provided for you	You prefer drafting and refining a long report

Your centre’s entry decides which you take; confirm with your teacher.

Common mistakes / exam traps

• No clear aim: a vague aim leads to an unfocused analysis.
• Using only one data set in 4a: the task requires at least two.
• Method that only lists data without explaining selection or approach.
• Description without interpretation: AO2 rewards analysis of how meanings are shaped.
• Overclaiming: conclusions should match the size and type of the data.
• Weak report style: AO3 rewards using English effectively for the report form.
• 4b: missing references or appendix, both required sections.

Frequently asked questions

Is Unit 4 an exam or coursework? Either, depending on your centre’s route. Unit 4a is a 2 hour 30 minute written exam; Unit 4b is a non-exam language investigation. Both are worth 50 marks and 30% of the International A-level.

How long is the Unit 4b investigation? Section 3.4.2 says approximately 2,500 words excluding data; the assessment overview gives 2,500–3,000 words. Check your centre’s guidance.

Do I get to choose the research question in the 4a exam? Yes. You devise a research question to suit the data provided, using some or all of it, and analyse at least two of the texts or data sets.

Can my 4b topic be about something not taught in class? Yes. The specification says any area your supervising teacher sees as yielding interesting questions about language in use may be chosen.

Syllabus coverage

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Language (9670), Version 5.2: 3.4 Language exploration — 3.4.1 Written unit (Unit 4a) and 3.4.2 Non-exam assessment (Unit 4b); 4.3.2 assessment objective weightings; 4.5 NEA marking criteria; section 5 NEA.

Self-test

1. How long is the Unit 4a exam? (2 hours 30 minutes.)
2. What is the minimum number of data sets you must analyse in 4a? (Two.)
3. What two extra sections does a 4b report need? (References and appendix of data.)
4. How are the 4b marks split? (AO1 20, AO2 20, AO3 10.)
5. What does “synoptic” mean here? (The unit tests skills from across the whole specification.)

Related pages

• Unit 4 study guide
• Unit 4 practice questions
• Unit 3 Language Variation revision notes

Official specification

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level English Language (9670) specification, Version 5.2 — oxfordaqa.com.