Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature (BAELL) Program

The Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature (BAELL) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in English language and literature, as well as professional teaching skills. The program focuses on three main strands: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Linguistics, and Literature.

Program Structure

The BAELL program requires the completion of 40 courses, including a mandatory Practicum, totaling 121 credits. Full-time students can complete the program in 8 semesters, while part-time students may take between 5 to 8 years to complete their degree, depending on the number of courses taken each semester.

Strengths of the BAELL Program

The program offers:

• A choice of three different areas of study in English Language and Anglophone Literature:
  • Linguistics (areas of concentration include discourse analysis and sociolinguistics)
  • Literature (areas of concentration include international literature, film studies, cultural theory, and creative writing)
  • TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; methodologies and pedagogy)
• A wide selection of electives, such as Semiotics and Film, Language and Gender, The Short Story, Masterpieces of 20th Century Theater, Introduction to Psychology, and Introduction to Translation Studies.
• Exposure to faculty actively involved in research and with broad professional experience in their fields of expertise.
• Faculty mentoring and personal support for academic and professional development.
• The opportunity to earn internationally recognized professional certifications, such as the TESOL Diploma.
• Ability to earn a minor in areas such as Sustainability, Psychology, Theater, Translation, or a double major in any of the University's other degree programs.
• A flexible class schedule, with afternoon, evening, and e-learning courses to accommodate students' work schedules.
• Opportunities to present student work in larger public forums, such as the annual Student Research Conference.
• Career counseling and networking opportunities through the Career Development Office during and after studies.

BAELL Career Paths

The program provides a well-rounded education, enabling students to acquire professional teaching skills and develop character, intellectual breadth, social skills, and self-confidence. Graduates can build careers in teaching, linguistics, and research in areas of cultural studies, translation, and literature. They will also be prepared to continue their studies at the graduate level in one of the Master's or Ph.D. programs offered by the university.

Degree Recognition

Students who successfully complete the degree program with the TESOL concentration and obtain recognition of professional equivalence for their degree from the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports can apply for a teaching license, allowing them to teach in foreign-language schools. Additionally, as per Law 4653/2020, graduates are eligible to seek employment as teachers in primary and secondary schools.

BAELL Research & Hands-On Learning

The BAELL degree offers opportunities to participate in faculty-student research projects and, for TESOL candidates, in-class teaching and curriculum development planning. Students complete a senior-year Practicum in an area related to one of the three strands in the BAELL program, such as data-mining projects (linguistics), literary analysis (literature), and teacher-training projects (TESOL). Students can also choose to complete two Practicums, giving them expertise in more than one of the three BAELL concentrations.

What You'll Learn

Upon completing the English Language and Literature degree, students will be able to:

• Communicate in English at a near-native level of proficiency.
• Appreciate the importance of cross-cultural understanding in language usage.
• Employ a variety of library and online sources when doing research in English language and literature.
• Demonstrate awareness of the principles of language teaching, with a focus on communication and linguistic competence and pedagogical practices (TESOL).
• Engage in linguistic analysis that takes into account the structural and contextual factors that shape meaning and culture.
• Have the knowledge and skills to continue graduate studies in the field of English language and literature and related fields.

BAELL Recommended Minors

Recommended minors include:

• Minor in Sustainability
• Minor in Translation Studies
• Minor in Theatre
• Minor in Psychology

Please consult the catalog for information on minors in other degree programs.

Advanced Diploma in TESOL – Level 5

Students who complete the following four courses and pass the ETECT-LEVEL 5 (English Teaching Competency Test) are awarded the Advanced Diploma in TESOL – Level 5:

• Modern English Grammar/Language Awareness
• Introduction to Methodology
• Advanced Methodology
• Practicum 1: TESOL
• Educational Psychology

The Advanced Diploma in TESOL Level 5 can be taken full-time or part-time. Students can take 3 or 2 courses in the fall or spring semester to complete the program in one academic year. Students may take fewer courses per semester and complete the program in two academic years (or more). Courses are sequential, and students may consult the academic calendar and their mentor to create a study plan. Students who fail the ETECT examination can retake the exam during the next two administrations. If they fail again, they are not allowed to retake the exam and are not awarded the Advanced Diploma in TESOL Level 5.