Course Overview
Our English Language and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) degree scheme looks at ways of analysing language knowledge, language use across contexts and time and relates this to teaching English to speakers of other languages.
Opportunities offered to students include the chance to obtain an internationally recognised, professional teaching qualification (Cambridge CELTA) during year 2, subject to interview.
This degree scheme also allows the opportunity to spend a semester abroad internationally. It is also possible to spend a year abroad after year 2 - see our 4 year option.
Together with English Literature, we are ranked 7th in the UK within the recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2014), gaining a score of 100% for the social impact of its research activities.
Key features
Year 1:
- A comprehensive grounding in the principles and terminology used in the study and analysis of language, as well as an introduction to different teaching methods.
Year 2:
- Students have the option of taking the internationally recognised Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), a professional qualification for teachers of English as a foreign language. Places are limited, subject to academic progression and students will have to undertake an interview process similar to PGCE interview. The typical cost is £1430 but TESOL students only pay the exam fee, currently £140.
- Students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester. Opportunities change annual, but in the past, partner countries have included: China, Hong Kong, and the USA.
- During Year 2 you can also change to the four year degree and study abroad between your second and final (3rd) years.
Year 3:
- Students can undertake a research project in an area of specialism supported by current academic staff. Previous students have worked on topics including language learning aptitude, vocabulary studies, online grooming communication, evaluation of teaching materials, and many others. Students showcase their work at our annual BA conference and some students have published their work in international journals and presented at international conferences.
- Students also have the opportunity to develop their programming skills through the development of computer-assisted language learning materials.
- Students receive thorough training in research methods including reporting and analysis of data
Course description
Our English Language and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) degree scheme looks at ways of analysing language knowledge, language use across contexts and time and relates this to teaching English to speakers of other languages.
In the English Language component, we look at:
- how language is used in everyday communication including in different contexts;
- how language has developed over time;
- how we learn our first language and subsequent languages;
- how language operates in bilingual contexts;
- how we produce and understand language in real time, as well as
- how the underlying language system works for sounds and grammar.
In the TESOL component, we look at the challenge of learning and teaching of English as a new language, including:
- how different methods are used to teach language;
- how children learn an additional language;
- how theories of second language acquisition relate to teaching;
- how current research into English Language Teaching informs practice.
