Course Overview
The BA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Spanish degree offers you the opportunity to study a major world language and discover the rich history of Spain and Latin America, not to mention the chance to experience life in a Spanish-speaking country first-hand during your year abroad.
In the TESOL component, we look 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.
Key features
In Spanish:
- All of our degrees combine intensive language tuition with optional modules relating to a wide variety of aspects of society and culture in the Spanish- speaking world.
- Our staff are experts in film, gender studies, medieval and early modern literature, theatre studies and travel writing
- During the third year of study, students spend a year abroad in Spain or Gran Canaria.
- Students can study at a University, teach in a school or work in a business during the year abroad.
- A strong Welsh-medium provision is also available.
- Have a look at our blog for more information.
In TESOL:
- The TESOL component provides a comprehensive grounding in the principles and terminology used in the study and analysis of language.
- In 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 can practice teaching during their year abroad.
- 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.
Our students have an academic mentor who provides pastoral support and guidance on issues that may affect their well-being, attendance and progress through University.
Course description
Students study six modules, three modules in Spanish and three modules in TESOL.
In the TESOL 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.
- 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.
In Spanish:
- At Level One students take compulsory modules in Spanish language and, for most schemes, a module on Hispanic culture designed to introduce you to the rich diversity of Hispanic history, politics, literature and film. Beginners in Spanish follow intensive language modules in their first year in order to reach a standard equivalent to A-level. There are a range of optional modules available including Gender in European Culture and Contemporary European Film.
- In the second year you continue to develop your language skills and, depending on your degree scheme, you choose from optional modules such as: Translation Workshop; Myths of Evita Per
