The decline (and fall) of English: why aren't readers taking English Literature A Level?

Thesis

This study investigates why students who enjoy reading are not taking English literature at A level. It is undertaken during a time when there are concerns amongst English educators about the decline in the numbers of students taking an English A level, by focusing on the most popular of the three English A levels – English literature. The research asked a small sample of students in their first year of sixth form who did not take any English A levels about their choice of A levels, specifically their decision not to take English literature A level. It focused on students who enjoy reading, as it was predicted that readers might be more interested than other students in taking the A level. The research aims to contribute to an understanding of how students experience and view English literature by hearing from the students. The study used opportunistic sampling to attract participants, advertising across a variety of sixth form educational establishments. Despite the only criteria being those who were studying A levels, not taking English literature, and enjoy reading, the students who responded were all taking mathematics A level and had achieved high grades at GCSE. Through the use of individual semi-structured interviews, it was found that students had a number of reasons for not choosing to continue with the study of English literature post-GCSE. The interviews were coded and thematically analysed. One of the key findings related to their future ambitions. Participants reported they had based their decisions regarding their A level subjects in consideration of their university subject choice which, in most cases, related to their anticipated career. Additionally, it was found that participants recalled a less than positive experience of English literature at GCSE, identifying their difficulties with essay writing and the subjective nature of English. However, they did recall the texts they had studied with enthusiasm. The students’ reading tastes were discussed and it was found that most participants enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy novels for ‘escapism’. They reported a confidence that they could continue to enjoy reading without receiving further formal literary instruction through studying A level English literature. These findings suggest that while students are required to limit their A level choice to a maximum of three or four subjects, facing a difficult choice about which A levels will best serve them, English literature will continue to see a decline in numbers. It is acknowledged that this small and highly skewed sample, consisting of ambitious young people, may not be representative of sixth form students as a whole and generalisations cannot be drawn from the data. The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on this group of students is also discussed. While recognising the limitations of the research, the study concludes with suggestions for further research in this area.

Authors: Catchpole, G

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-0zw8doaqk
• Type of award: MSc taught course
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: RDM; reading; qualitative; KS3; KS4; interviews; books; A Level; English Literature; texts; RDM2022; Mathematics
• Subjects: A-level examinations; Qualitative research; Interviews; High schools; Reading; Key Stage 3 National Tests; Literature; Education