AKS host English Language A Level workshop

PUBLISHED 16 October 2023

An unprepossessing October afternoon brought about the moment for the inaugural AKS English Language A Level workshop in the OAKS Hall, attended by Year 12 and 13 students from four visiting north-west schools, plus our own AKS groups, and led by EngLangBlog’s Dan Clayton. The three sessions chosen for attention (given their relevance to all specifications being studied) were: language change – keeping up with what new words tell us; language variation and diversity around the world; and media representations of language.

The audience encountered material deliberating the impact of the word woke and why being referred to as such may delight certain generations, but not others. Discussion was had regarding the full stop and how its usage could be said to give offence for some, and how we all go full goblin mode from time to time and would seek to avoid being thought of as cheugy (a rare example of a new word, or neogolism). The contemporary blend permacrisis (Collins Dictionary Word of the Year 2022), your emojis and what they say about you, plogging, quiet quitting, partygate and the politicisation of language (for example, the media’s debate over whether to use Kyiv or Kiev in news reporting) all came under scrutiny as the afternoon’s events wrapped up.

Thanks to our visiting schools for their participation and for travelling to the Fylde coast and to Dan Clayton for his insights, excellent resources and engaging delivery throughout the afternoon.