English Language & Teaching

Program Overview

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BA (Hons) English Language & Teaching

Why study this course

Excellent opportunities to develop your practice of English teaching for a variety of educational settings in the UK and the rest of the world.

Ideal if you are looking to expand your horizons within education, beyond the traditional primary and secondary teaching routes.

With an additional specialism in online teaching, this course will also prepare you for the growing market in virtual education

Study at a university with 160 years teaching experience

Course summary

Our English Language and Teaching programme immerses you in the fascinating study of English, from how it developed from humble origins to the global language with all its variations that we use today, to how it is learned by children as a first language or by learners of English as a second or further language - and much more. You will explore questions about language structures and language use in society, language disorders, and language acquisition and you will learn practical methods - and get hands-on experience - of how to teach it. Crucially, you will develop skills and knowledge to help you gain employment or pursue further studies for work or research in linguistics, education, and language teaching, and a range of other relevant fields.

Key facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• UCAS code: X162
• Duration: 3 years
• Mode of study: Full time
• Start date: September 2025
• Award: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

What you will study

Students on this course currently study some or all of the modules listed below. However, these modules are currently under review and may differ for September 2023 entry.

Year 1

• Introduction to First Language Acquisition
• Language and Communication
• Second Language Acquisition
• Historical Linguistics

Year 2

• TESOL Methodologies
• Sociolinguistics
• Research Skills
• TESOL in Practice
• Discourse Analysis Project

Year 3

• Testing and Assessment in English Language Teaching
• Material Design and Evaluation
• English Language in Contexts
• Dissertation
• Language Research Project: Dissertation

Optional modules

• Careers in English Language Teaching
• The Psychology of Language Learning
• Clinical Linguistics

Entry requirements

You will normally need 96-112 UCAS tariff points (from a maximum of four Advanced Level qualifications). We welcome a range of qualifications that meet this requirement, such as A/AS Levels, BTEC, Access Courses, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Pre-U, Extended Project etc.

You will also need a GCSE in English at grade C or above (or equivalent).

How you will be taught

There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity.

You will be taught in a variety of ways, from lectures, tutorials and seminars, to practical workshops, coursework and work-based placements. Small group seminars and workshops will provide you with an opportunity to review issues raised in lectures, and you will be expected to carry out independent study.

Placements are a key part of degree study within many courses at BGU. They provide an enriching learning experience for you to apply the skills and knowledge you will gain from your course and, in doing so, give valuable real-world experience to boost your career.

Academic staff

• Dr Kay Johnson
• Sean Ingoldsby
• Dr Lianxin (Megan) Li

Assessment

Assessment in English Language and Teaching is an integral part of your learning here at BGU and takes a variety of forms. Students will generally be assessed through a wide range of methods such as assessed presentations, written assignments, online discussion and ICT based tasks, teaching practice and portfolios of work. A research project in the form of the final dissertation in the third year of the course will encourage students to become research-informed English language teachers who have the ability to make knowledgeable judgements about their own practice.

Careers & Further study

BGU boasts extremely high employability ratings and our BA English Language and Teaching course will provide you with a solid foundation in English Language and Teaching. With your degree you can continue your professional development in English language teaching, education, speech and language therapy, media and publishing, both in international and UK contexts. You will also have the opportunity to pursue further studies within a field of linguistics. Alongside the BA, if you wish to progress towards achieving QTS, opportunities exist to complete our pre-teaching course which can assist you with gaining a place on one of our PGCE courses.

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Fees & Funding

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. For 2024 entry, the application fee is £27, and you can make a maximum of 6 choices.

For the 2025 cycle, UCAS is removing the undergraduate application fee for any student who is/or has received free school meals (FSM) during the last six years, up until the end of their final year at school or college. More information on the UCAS fee waiver can be found here.

For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate. Full details of all tuition fees can be found here.

Program Outline

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Introduction to First Language Acquisition: Explores how children learn their first language.
• Language and Communication: Analyzes sounds, words, and structures of languages with a focus on English.
• Second Language Acquisition: Studies how individuals learn additional languages after their first.
• Research Skills: Provides tools for conducting research in English language and teaching.
• Historical Linguistics: Traces the historical development of the English language.

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Year 2:

• TESOL Methodologies: Covers teaching approaches and techniques for English as a Second Language in diverse settings.
• Discourse Analysis Project: Explores how language shapes meaning across different forms and fields.
• Sociolinguistics: Examines regional and societal variations in English language use.
• English Language Teaching in Practice 1: Provides hands-on experience teaching English with one-to-one lessons.

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Year 3:

• Testing and Assessment in English Language Teaching: Covers different tests for English language skills and their evaluation techniques.
• English Language in Contexts: Familiarizes students with specific teaching contexts in the UK and abroad.
• English Language Teaching in Practice 2: Offers practice teaching English to groups of students.
• Innovations in English Language Teaching: Explores innovative teaching techniques utilizing technology, virtual reality, and games.
• Language Research Project: Dissertation: Allows students to design, conduct, and report research findings in a chosen area of English language and teaching.

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Assessment:

Assessment in this program takes diverse forms:

• Assessed Presentations: Evaluation of individual understanding through presentations on topics covered in the program.
• Online Discussion and ICT Based Tasks: Assessment of engagement with peers and digital skills through online activities and projects.
• Teaching Practice and Portfolios: Evaluation of individual performance and reflection through teaching practice in real-world settings and portfolio development encompassing the student's journey throughout the program.
• Final Dissertation Research Project: Independent research culminating in a written thesis demonstrating research knowledge and application to the field.

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Teaching:

• Varied Approach: Combines traditional teaching methods and innovative techniques to promote student participation and active learning.
• Teaching Methods: Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical workshops, coursework, and work-based placements for hands-on experience.
• Student Support: Open interaction between staff and students with personalized attention and guidance in a friendly atmosphere.

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Careers:

• Strong Employability: BGU boasts high employment rates for its graduates.
• Career Opportunities: This program opens doors to careers in English language teaching, speech and language therapy, media and publishing, research and academic pursuits, international education, and further professional qualifications.

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Other:

• Location: Bishop Grosseteste University is located in Lincoln, England.