How do I solve 9 across in Press and Journal Cryptic unknown?

Question

Accepted Answer

9 across reads "O level English in recent times" (2,4 letters); the answer is OF LATE. It's a charade: the answer breaks into parts in clue order, each part clued by a word or short phrase. No indicators needed; watch for standard abbreviations (RA = artist, US = American, IN = at home) and short synonyms. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

O level English in recent times (2,4)

9A — O level English in recent times (2,4) — OF LATE