Sara Al-Naimi
Doha · QA
Mathematics · IGCSE
Next slot in 12 min
AQA A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
AQA A Level English Language and Literature tutors who know the spec inside out.
From analysing Keats and Carol Ann Duffy to crafting your own creative writing NEA, our tutors work through the real AQA assessment objectives with you, live and 1:1.
- Covers Paper 1, Paper 2, and NEA coursework
- Tutors hold degrees in English Language, Literature, or Linguistics
- Sessions Monday to Saturday, Gulf Standard Time
100+
Vetted GCC Tutors
120,000+
Tutoring Hours Delivered
4.7
Trustpilot Rating
10+
Countries Served
AQA 7707 — A Level English Language and Literature
Two papers. AQA English Language and Literature assessed across language, literature, and your own writing.
AQA A Level English Language and Literature (7707) combines textual analysis with creative production. Paper 1 covers Telling Stories; Paper 2 covers Exploring Conflict. Both assess your ability to read across modes and produce your own texts. The NEA adds original writing and a critical commentary worth 20% of the total mark.
Paper 1 — Telling Stories — Unseen prose, set text, and original narrative writing. 2 hours 30 minutes. 40% of A Level.
Paper 2 — Exploring Conflict — Set poetry, set drama or prose, and critical analysis. 3 hours. 40% of A Level.
NEA — Non-Exam Assessment — Original writing plus a 1,000-word critical commentary. 20% of A Level.
Assessment Objectives — AO1–AO5 tested across all components, including AO4 (connections across texts) and AO5 (original writing craft).
AS Level (7706) — Two papers, no NEA. Examined separately and does not contribute to the full A Level.
Related A Level subjects we tutor
Talimat tutors cover the full range of AQA A Level subjects. If your child takes English Language and Literature alongside other humanities or creative arts, we can match them with the right specialist.
English Literature
English Language
History
Psychology
Sociology
Media Studies
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Politics
Drama and Theatre Studies
+ additional AQA A Level subjects available on request.
Free trial · limited slots this weekBook a free 1:1 session with an AQA English Language and Literature specialist today.
Understanding the AQA A Level grading system
AQA A Level English Language and Literature is graded A* to E, with A* awarded only at A Level (not AS). Students must meet both the overall UMS threshold and the A2 component threshold to achieve A*.
Top Performers - A* Award
The A* grade requires a minimum overall A grade plus at least 90% of the uniform marks available in the A2 components, Paper 1 and Paper 2 combined.
A*
Exceptional analytical and creative range100%
A
Strong across all five AOs85%
B
Confident textual and language analysis70%
C
Competent with clear understanding55%
D
Basic understanding demonstrated45%
E
Minimum pass awarded35%
The grading scale shown applies to AQA A Level qualifications only and may differ from Cambridge, Edexcel, or IB programmes. Speak to your Academic Consultant for board-specific guidance.
Our students consistently achieve top grades.
A*
Our goal for every student.
Personalised preparation from Day 1.
AQA English tutors available to book this week.
Matched to your child's set texts and NEA topic in under 10 minutes.
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Daniel Park
Dubai · AE
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Aaliyah Khan
Riyadh · SA
Physics · A-Levels
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Yusuf Hadi
Manama · BH
Arabic · KG–G6
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Why AQA English Language and Literature is hard to self-study
AQA English Language and Literature asks students to do two things simultaneously: analyse how language works and produce original writing to a publishable standard. Most students find one of those easier than the other. A good tutor identifies the gap early and closes it before the NEA deadline.
The subject sits at a genuine intersection of linguistics and literary study. Paper 1 (Telling Stories) requires students to analyse an unseen prose extract, respond to a set text, and then produce their own narrative or descriptive piece in the same session.
Paper 2 (Exploring Conflict) brings in poetry and drama, requiring students to connect texts across time periods and modes using AO4, the assessment objective that trips up more students than any other.
The NEA is a different challenge entirely. Students must produce a piece of original writing, then write a 1,000-word critical commentary explaining their own craft choices using linguistic and literary terminology.
For families in the UAE, KSA, and across the Gulf, the additional complexity is that many students are working in English as a second or third language. The analytical vocabulary required by AO1 alone (register, discourse, deixis, cohesion) needs deliberate instruction, not just reading practice.
Online tutoring with a specialist means every session can be matched to the student's actual NEA topic, their set texts, and the specific command words appearing in their mock feedback.
Key takeaways
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 each test different skills; tutoring targets both separately
- AO4 (connections across texts) is the most commonly under-prepared objective
- NEA critical commentary requires linguistic metalanguage, not just literary analysis
- Students benefit from tutor feedback on original writing drafts before submission
- Live 1:1 sessions allow set-text work to be personalised to each student's class texts
How Our AQA English Language and Literature Tutoring Works
Every student starts with a short diagnostic session so their tutor understands exactly which AQA assessment objectives need the most attention before we plan anything else.
1:1
Every Session, Every Student
No group classes, ever.
Trusted by Gulf families
Diagnostic and match
Your Academic Consultant reviews your child's current set texts, NEA topic, and mock results, then matches them with a tutor who has specific experience with those AQA components.
Personalised study plan
The tutor builds a session plan around Paper 1, Paper 2, and NEA deadlines. Students working on Telling Stories and Exploring Conflict get structured coverage of every assessment objective.
Live 1:1 sessions
Sessions run live and 1:1, Monday to Saturday at Gulf Standard Time. The tutor works through close reading, language analysis, and original writing practice in every session.
NEA and exam prep
As exams approach, sessions shift to timed practice questions, examiner mark scheme walkthroughs, and NEA draft feedback to maximise marks across all five assessment objectives.
Results our AQA English students achieve
Our students come in at every starting point. Here is what structured 1:1 support delivers.
100+
Qualified, vetted tutors ready to take on AQA English Language and Literature
Each holds a relevant degree
120,000+
Tutoring hours delivered across all subjects and curricula on the platform
Live sessions, never recorded
4.7/5
Talimat's Trustpilot rating, reflecting consistent session quality across subjects
Verified by real families
10+
Countries where Talimat students currently receive live 1:1 online tutoring
Gulf and beyond
Student Reviews
What AQA English Language and Literature students say
These are real experiences from students and parents across the Gulf who worked with Talimat tutors on the AQA specification.
Book Your Free Trial“My tutor helped me finally understand what AO4 was actually asking for. I kept writing about each text separately, and she showed me how to make genuine connections across the set poetry and the prose. My Paper 2 marks went up significantly after just a few sessions.”
Noor Al-Farsi
Abu Dhabi, UAE
1 / 3
AQA A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Which part of the AQA English spec do you need help with?
Every card below maps to a real AQA component or assessment objective. Pick the one your child is working on now.
/aqa-a-level/english-language-literature/paper-1
Paper 1 - Telling Stories
Unseen prose analysis, set text response, and original narrative writing. 2 hours 30 minutes, 40% of A Level.
Get Paper 1 Help/aqa-a-level/english-language-literature/paper-2Paper 2 - Exploring Conflict
Set poetry, prose or drama, and cross-text connections using AO4. 3 hours, 40% of A Level.
Get Paper 2 Help/aqa-a-level/english-language-literature/neaNEA - Original Writing and Commentary
Produce a sustained original piece plus a 1,000-word critical commentary using literary and linguistic terminology.
Get NEA Help/aqa-as-level/english-language-literatureAS Level (7706)
Two examined papers, no NEA. Separate qualification from the full A Level.
Get AS Level HelpCOMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about AQA A Level English Language and Literature answered.
Everything parents and students in the UAE and KSA ask before booking their first session.
What is the difference between AQA English Language and Literature and AQA English Literature?
English Language and Literature (7707) combines linguistic analysis with literary study and includes original creative writing as both an exam and NEA component. English Literature (7712) focuses solely on literary texts and critical response. They are assessed differently and require different skills.
Does the AQA A Level English Language and Literature include coursework?
Yes. The Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) accounts for 20% of the total A Level mark. Students produce a piece of original writing and a 1,000-word critical commentary explaining their craft choices using literary and linguistic terminology.
What set texts does AQA use for Paper 2 Exploring Conflict?
AQA specifies a set poetry collection and a set prose or drama text for Paper 2. The exact texts depend on the exam series. Your Talimat tutor will confirm which texts apply to your child's cohort and plan sessions around those specific works.
Can my child get AQA A Level English tutoring if they are based in the UAE or KSA?
Yes. All Talimat sessions are delivered live and 1:1 online, Monday to Saturday at Gulf Standard Time. Students in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and across the GCC book sessions without any travel or location restrictions.
How does a Talimat tutor help with the AQA NEA critical commentary?
The tutor works through the NEA brief with the student, helps select and develop the original writing piece, and then teaches the student how to apply AO5 metalanguage in the commentary. Draft feedback sessions are a core part of NEA preparation.
What does AQA mean by AO4 and why do students struggle with it?
AO4 assesses a student's ability to explore connections across texts, comparing how different writers use language to create meaning. Students often respond to each text separately rather than building genuine cross-text arguments. Targeted 1:1 practice with a tutor who knows the specification is the most reliable way to address this.
How much does AQA A Level English tutoring cost with Talimat?
A Level sessions start from AED 65 per hour. There is no enrolment deposit and you can cancel at any time. Speak to your Academic Consultant for a personalised recommendation based on the number of sessions your child needs before their exams.
Does Talimat cover both the AS Level (7706) and the full A Level (7707)?
Yes. Talimat tutors are familiar with both the AS Level and the full A Level specifications. AS Level covers two examined papers with no NEA component, while the full A Level adds the NEA and is graded A* to E.
Reviewed by
Last reviewed
Sarah Pemberton
Senior English Language and Literature Specialist, MA English Language, PGCE Secondary English
Sarah Pemberton has over twelve years of experience teaching AQA English Language and Literature at sixth form level in the UK and internationally. She holds a Master's degree in English Language from the University of Leeds and a PGCE in Secondary English. Sarah has worked as an examiner for AQA Paper 2, giving her direct insight into how mark schemes are applied to student responses across AO1 to AO5. Her particular expertise lies in NEA preparation and in supporting students whose first language is not English to develop the linguistic metalanguage required by the AQA specification.
Try a Free AQA English Language and Literature Session
Book a free 1:1 session with a specialist tutor. No payment required, no commitment, and no obligation to continue.
What You Will Get in Your Free Trial Session
There is nothing to pay and no commitment required. You will leave with a clear picture of where your child stands and what they need before their AQA exams.
- Assessment of Paper 1, Paper 2, and NEA readiness
- Introduction to the live 1:1 online session platform
- Sample lesson matched to your child's current set texts
- Answers to all your questions about AQA English
Limited Time Offer
Sign up for a tutoring plan after your free trial and receive 20% off your first month of AQA English Language and Literature sessions.