“What I have enjoyed about English language is the topics we learn about, my favourite being child language. It is so interesting to learn about how language has developed in many different ways, and how its usage has changed over time. I also really enjoyed the fact that it’s so different from GCSE, and that it challenged my usual thinking. We have many class discussions and, this week, we are analysing a text and discussing how the language reveals interesting things about the person speaking, who they are speaking to, and the hidden messages that are being communicated.

We also have writing workshops, both in class and as part of enrichment, where we produce a piece of writing and get feedback from our teacher, peers and visiting writers that we use to improve our writing skills. We will be submitting entries for the Young Writers’ Competition and the Portico Competition. Xaverian has had previous winners in competitions so hopefully I will do well! For the ‘Child Language’ module, we are reading some recommended texts and, next week, we are answering a sample exam question about how children acquire language and how children learn. I’ve found this a fascinating subject as there are many mysteries that still surround this.”