Aims of a language investigation

This guide is meant to help you to understand what is required in a Language Investigation and to choose, plan and organise your investigation.

A language investigation:

• can explore any area of language from the prescribed list on the left
• must be based on original language data which you collect and analyse
• must be around 1500 words long (no more than 10% over)

The investigation is designed to develop your skills as an independent and original language researcher. You will learn how to:

• be independent and imaginative in research
• ask questions about language and develop hypotheses
• design appropriate research methodologies
• find, collect and present original data for analysis
• find, select and use secondary sources to illuminate their work
• present clear and well-expressed findings
• analyse language data using appropriate systematic frameworks that you have selected
• analyse and evaluate language data
• present and argue a case
• draw conclusions
• evaluate the success of your work.

Assessment

An investigation is marked using the grid which covers Assessment Objectives 1, 2, and 3. A mark is awarded for each and these are then added to give a final total. When assessing work examiners use are particularly looking for evidence of your ability to:

AO1: 10 marks

• use accurate expression
• select and apply a range of linguistic methods
• use a range of appropriate terminology
• communicate relevant knowledge in a well structured form

AO2: 20 marks

• critical understanding of a range of concepts and issues
• analysis of meanings in spoken and written language
• knowledge of linguistic approaches

 AO4: 10 marks

• analyse and evaluate the influence of contextual factors on production and reception of spoken and written language
• show knowledge of the key constituents of language