CGC-ebook Sample Edition 4.0

English

What kind of person do I need to be? You’ll need to have good oral and written communication skills. Working with English requires the ability to ar ticulate knowledge while leading and par ticipating in discussions so you should be able to persuade others to your point of view by effectively conveying an argument. The ability to convey your ideas in writing is equally impor tant. You will also need to demonstrate that you can apply critical thinking to texts, concepts and theories as well as use your own judgement to assess alternative perspectives. How do I get there? Careers associated with English often require you to have studied the subject at degree level. Some English graduates build upon their qualification by studying for a master’s qualification or a PhD. Depending on the career pathway you want to follow, you could enrol on a postgraduate course in areas such as teaching, journalism, marketing, librarianship or law. Achieving a minimum of 5 GCSEs including English and mathematics at grade 5 or above will help you get on the first rung of the ladder. Progression will involve studying English at A Level along with complimentary subjects such as history or a language. Not all careers involving English, however, require you have to have studied in higher education. There are no set entry requirements for becoming a writer, a poet or setting up your own bookshop.

What skills will I learn? Studying English will help you to develop excellent written and oral communication skills. You’ll learn how to examine texts with a balanced and rigorous approach, critique work, reflect on meaning, draw conclusions and communicate ideas to others. You’ll develop a broad vocabulary, improve your presentation skills and learn how to argue persuasively. Your capacity for independent thought, reflection and judgement will also grow as will your ability to research and evaluate a diverse range of material. English will give you an appreciation for creativity in a literary context and can extend your skills into other areas such as media studies.