Panjabi

What is it? Panjabi is England's second most widely spoken language. It is usually taken by people who already speak the language at home, so the A-level tests only writing and reading skills. In A2, students can choose to study Panjabi literature. Students can also opt to study non-literary topics such as the socio-economic history of Panjab.

Why do it? It is usually taken by people whose families come from the Indian part of Panjab. The language is widely spoken in the UK, so it helps in finding work.

What skills do you need? Most entrants can already speak Panjabi, but don't be put off if you can't. Gurinder Singh Sacha, chair of examiners for Panjabi at AQA says that about five per cent of students are not from a Panjabi background. You should have GCSE Panjabi or be of an equivalent standard.

How much practical work is there? None. The A-level is assessed with two three-hour exams, one at the end of each year.

Is it hard? "It's not hard at all for those with a Panjabi background," says Gurinder Sacha of AQA. "Many students get a good grade after studying for only six or eight months. But it is not easy to get tuition as it is not on the curriculum of many schools."

Added value: Finding out about Panjabi culture and history. One option looks at the 18th and 19th-century history of Panjab, dealing with Sikh and Panjabi relations with England. You can study Panjabi communities in Britain.

What degrees does it lead to? You can study Panjabi at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Will it set you up for a brilliant career? It's more of an added bonus. Panjabi is a useful language in the airline industry and civil service among others. It can also be a very handy fourth A-level when you're trying to get into higher education.

What do the students say? "I really enjoyed reading the novels, especially one about a stepmother and how she treated her children," says Prabhjot Kaur Riat, 18, who has just left Gurunanak Sikh Secondary School in Hayes. "I did find some of the comprehension quite difficult. The Panjabi vocabulary was very different from that which we use at home."

Which award bodies offer it? AQA.

How widely available is it around the country? Not very. Currently 16,000 students take GCSE Panjabi, but only 150 take the A-level.

c.rudebeck@independent.co.uk