BA Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language
University of Essex
Key Information
Campus location
Colchester, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
BA Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Learn the essentials for teaching languages to others, while simultaneously going through the experience of learning a language yourself. Pass the teaching practice modules and graduate with an additional qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Certificate).
Our course is ideal if you want to teach English to non-native speakers, but the knowledge and skills you develop will also prepare you for a range of other possible careers in the media, in administration, in business and in education; in fact, any job where the ability to apply critical thinking to problems, to conduct independent research and to communicate the results of your work to others are required.
You study topics which give you a thorough grounding in English Language, and teaching English Language to others, including:
- Linguistics and sociolinguistics
- The structure of the English language
- Second language learning
- Practical training in TEFL methods
You also study up to two of the languages offered at Essex: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, completing at least one language to a minimum of Proficiency level. These languages are widely used in the business world, and having acquired near fluency, many of our graduates go on to develop successful global careers with international firms looking.
We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route.
We are a leading UK university for language and linguistics research (REF 2014), a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which the majority of research is rated ‘world-leading' or ‘internationally excellent'.
If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome home.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available, please visit the university website for more information.
Curriculum
Year 1
- Understanding Data in Linguistics
- Introduction to TEFL Methodology
- Theory and Practice in English Language Teaching
- Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Year 2
- Initial Teaching Practice
- Research methods for language and linguistics
- Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Final Year
- Project: Linguistics
- Literature and Language Teaching
- Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Studying language and linguistics allows you to develop your research and IT skills by collecting and analysing linguistic data using state-of-the-art technology, and a combination of team-work and independent projects enhances your communication, problem-solving, and management skills.
Graduates of our department have gone on to have careers in a wide variety of fields, including teaching (in the UK and abroad), journalism, branding, advertising, marketing, travel, communications, publishing, speech and occupational therapy, interpreting, translating and media.
For example, one of our department's recent graduates is now an Assistant Editor at Scholastic, whilst another teaches English in South Korea. Other graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:
- The British Council
- English in Action
- Cambridge University Press
- Macmillan Publishers
- Cambridge University Press
- Decisive Media Ltd
Program delivery
- In addition to the compulsory modules that you must take, you can combine a number of modules of your choice to reflect your own interest in the linguistics
- Teaching methods include lectures, small classes, seminars and presentations
- You will acquire experience of teaching small groups of students as part of our Teaching Practice modules where you will plan, deliver and evaluate your own lessons. Classes are given to the family members of international students and to refugees living in the local area.