Open University

BA (Honours) in English Language

Knowledge and understanding

You’ll be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:

• The history of English, its contemporary diversity, its role as a global language, and its use in a range of contexts in various parts of the world.
• Debates surrounding the historical and contemporary position of English about other languages or language varieties, including an appreciation of the significance of intercultural competence in modern society.
• The nature of linguistic evidence and the different methods used in the collection, description and analysis of language data.
• How language and literature both reflect and affect cultural change and difference and the way texts are written and received within literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts.
• How people use English, as a first or additional language, in a range of social, cultural and educational contexts.

Cognitive skills

You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Synthesise information and ideas drawn from varied sources, and critically evaluate alternative explanations, arguments and theories.
• Employ appropriate literacy strategies (both digital and non-digital) to appreciate, interrogate and create a wide variety of written, spoken and multimodal texts.
• Describe and analyse texts using appropriate linguistic and critical terminology.
• Apply theories and methods of analysis to review, consolidate and extend knowledge and understanding of English language topics, and to initiate small-scale investigations.

Practical and professional skills

You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Reflect critically on your own linguistic experiences and relationship to the English language.
• Identify and evaluate conflicting arguments, including recognising the significance of different cultural and value positions in these arguments.

Key skills

You’ll be able to:

• Read, synthesise, critically evaluate, and effectively and appropriately communicate information using a variety of sources and drawing on relevant theoretical frameworks as appropriate.
• Study and work independently using a variety of appropriate media, including digital tools.
• Make appropriate use of feedback to improve your performance.
• Understand, interpret and discuss basic statistical data in the form of graphs, tables and diagrams.
• Produce appropriate texts for a wide range of academic and other purposes.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits:

• You’ll start Stage 1 with a 60-credit English language module, followed by two 30-credit modules from English language and modern languages.
• Next, in Stage 2, you'll study another 60-credit English language module and choose a 60-credit module from modern languages, English literature or creative writing.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll study a further two 60-credit English modules.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• Introducing English Language Studies (L101)

Additionally, you'll choose two from the following options:

• Exploring Languages and Cultures (L161)
• English for Academic Purposes Online (L185)
• Communication Skills for Business and Management (LB170)
• Introduction to French Studies (Beginners) (L102)
• Introduction to German Studies (Beginners) (L103)
• Introduction to Spanish Studies (Beginners) (L106)
• French Studies 1 (Intermediate) (L112)
• German Studies 1 (Intermediate) (L113)
• Spanish Studies 1 (Intermediate) (L116)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• English in the World (L201)

Additionally, you'll choose one from the following options:

• French Studies 2: Language and Culture of the French-speaking World (L222)
• German Studies 2: Language and Culture of the German-speaking World (L223)
• Spanish Studies 2: Language and Culture of the Spanish-speaking World (L226)
• Creative Writing (A215)
• Literature Matters (A240)
• Telling Stories: The Novel and Beyond (A233)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• Language and Creativity (E302)
• Language, Literature, and Childhood (L301)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

Employers value the communication skills acquired through studying the English language. You’ll sharpen your IT, writing, and independent thinking skills, develop your ability to respond to feedback and sharpen your time management. These are key skills in complex organisations, greatly sought after in the world beyond study – whether you’re already working, volunteering, or changing careers.

Career relevance

The study of the English language requires an understanding of the diverse national and cultural environments in which it is used as well as the historical and political circumstances around its development and spread around the world. The breadth of study and understanding of social, cultural and political influences on communicative contexts create graduates who are critical global citizens able to evaluate information relevant to a variety of national and international interactions. This makes this degree course relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:

• Public administration, local government, civil service, and social services.
• Advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries and public relations.
• Education.
• Legal work.
• Business, banking and retail.
• Human resources.
• Charities and campaigning.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.