Our Year 12 English Language students recently took part in an insightful subject session led by Dr Chris Montgomery from the University of Sheffield, focusing on the perception of accents across the UK. The session directly supported their preparation for AQA English Language Paper 2: Language Varieties, enriching their understanding of how accent, identity, and social attitudes intersect.

Dr Montgomery introduced students to current research on perceptual dialectology, exploring how people map, judge, and categorise accents—even when their perceptions don’t always align with linguistic reality. Students examined how stereotypes form around particular regional varieties, why certain accents are socially privileged, and how media representation shapes public attitudes.

The session deepened students’ analytical skills and provided rich, contemporary material they can now draw on in their Paper 2 essays. It also sparked thoughtful discussion about language prejudice and the power dynamics embedded in everyday communication.