BA in
BA in English Language and Teaching Bishop Grosseteste University
Introduction
Overview
This course allows you to study English Language and Teaching as a single honours degree, giving you an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
Have you ever considered how English is used globally? Do you have a particular interest in how languages are learned and taught? If so, our exciting new BA in English Language and Teaching (teaching English to speakers of other languages) could be the ideal course for you.
Key Facts
- Award: BA (Hons)
- UCAS Code: X162
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode of Study: Full-time
- Start Date: September
- Awarding Institution: Bishop Grosseteste University
- Institution Code: B38
Why Study This Course?
- Free flights to Thailand to gain international teaching experience.
- Gain your free accredited professional TESOL teaching qualification (Trinity certificate) whilst studying.
- Excellent opportunities to practice teaching TESOL in a variety of educational settings, across 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.
About The Course
This course will provide you with academic knowledge, practical skills and professional experience in preparation for a future in English language teaching and further study in the field of linguistics. It will provide the tools and resources for you to reflect upon your professional practice and conduct your own research. It is ideal for students from all academic backgrounds as there are no subject-specific entry requirements, other than GCSE English.
As part of this course, you will have the opportunity to complete the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL). Completing this will:
- Provide you with an internationally recognised TESOL certificate
- Offer you a route to work in schools, colleges and other settings across the globe
- Equip you with practical teaching skills
- You will also receive support and feedback from expert tutors and peers, becoming part of the worldwide TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
The course is designed for aspiring teachers or individuals who wish to pursue a career in working with learners of English as an additional, second or foreign language. We will work with you to enhance and develop your understanding of the different approaches to studying languages. You will consider how languages are learnt, used and taught in multicultural communities across the globalized world.
You will study the history, structure and use of English in different social and cultural settings and will familiarise yourself with how English is taught in a variety of contexts. During the course, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of professional competence and of the theoretical implications of the practice of English Language Teaching. With an emphasis on the integration of practice and theory, you will be acquainted with approaches to and techniques of teaching the English language to speakers of other languages and develop a range of practical skills.
The course delivers best practice in teaching and learning while opening opportunities for overseas work and travel. If you study with us, you can bridge the gap between your current qualifications and the knowledge and skills required for teaching English in international or independent UK settings. It is also ideal for a future career in teaching and provides excellent preparation for gaining a place on QTS courses, including a PGCE in primary or secondary English.
Delivery
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, work-based placements or even laboratory classes. 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 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.
Assessment
We recognise that individuals come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, so we use a variety of assessment strategies on our courses.
Assessment in TESOL & Linguistics 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.
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.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships
Scholarships covering up to 50% of the tuition fee are available.
Application Process
To apply for a BGU scholarship you must first apply for, and have been offered a place on, one of our programmes. Once you are in receipt of an offer for a programme, you have to fill in the application form available on the school website.
You will be asked to identify which scholarship you are applying for and as part of the process applicants will be asked to describe their academic achievements, relevant professional experience and/ or career goal. Applicants should also refer to any other information, which supports their application. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Academic merit – Course entry requirements are met including English Language Requirements, Examination results, transcripts, references, Academic prizes or awards.
- Career Aspirations – applicants should tell us about their chosen career goal and their aspirations to contribute to their chosen field. Applicants should establish the relevance of the proposed academic course to his/her career plans.
- Financial need – Applicants will need to explain their financial situation and how they intend to cover the remaining expenses, should their application be successful. Even with a scholarship, applicants will need to evidence they can cover their living expenses within the UK to meet the requirements for a Tier 4 visa.
- Developmental impact – Applicants should explain how they plan to use their study to develop and contribute to society in their own country. Applicants should evidence any past commitment to ’development’ agendas through participation in relevant projects.
- Extracurricular Activity – Applicants should provide evidence of activities, which has enhanced their graduate attributes for example, examples of volunteering, leadership, charity work.
Application forms should be completed and sent to [email protected] and should be clearly marked ‘International Scholarship Application’ in the subject line.
Whilst BGU offer this range of scholarships it cannot guarantee that your application for one will be successful. The scholarship application process is competitive and BGU reserve the right to not grant scholarships to those who provide evidence of the above criteria, if the application is not of the required quality.
All scholarships awarded will be valid for the lifetime of the programme, for postgraduate applicants this is one year and for undergraduate applicants it is three years.
Career Opportunities
Careers & Further Study
BGU boasts extremely high employability ratings and employability for students within the School of Teacher Development is particularly high. Our BA in English Language and Teaching course will provide you with a solid foundation in Linguistics and TESOL. On successful completion, you will be able to apply your knowledge of the latest theory, policy and practice of international English language education to a variety of global professions. With your degree you can continue your professional development in English language teaching, education, speech and language therapy, media, publishing, both in international and UK contexts. You will also have the opportunity to pursue further studies within a field of linguistics. Linguistic graduates are well equipped to undertake careers ranging from marketing and publishing to speech and language therapy. Alongside the BA, for students who wish to progress towards achieving QTS, opportunities exist to complete our pre-teaching course which can assist you in gaining a place on one of our PGCE courses.