English Language – BA (Honours)

This course covers
• the formal description of the English language
• the history, development and varieties of the English language
• methods for analysing language and discourse
• theories of language and applications of language study

We encourage you to apply if you want to understand more about
• the nature of the English language, its syntax, semantics and sound system
• how spoken and written discourses are organised
• how we use language to communicate and interact
• how language varies according to context
• how we connect language to identity

At level 1 you study different approaches to language and communication, which allow you to describe language at all levels. You also consider • language in its social and historical contexts • language from various theoretical perspectives • the effect of choices in language use.

At level 2 you study language and discourse analysis and complete a work-based project, where you critically reflect on your work under supervision. At level 3 you develop independent study skills through project work and do a research-based dissertation. You base the project work and dissertation on a language topic of your choice, which may relate to your future career plans.

At both levels 2 and 3 you also choose from options that build on the knowledge gained in the previous year(s). These options fall broadly in the areas of • critical discourse analysis • sociolinguistics • literary linguistics • psycholinguistics • pragmatics • semantics • dialectology • interdisciplinary language study.

You develop independent study skills through project work and a research-based dissertation. You base these on a language topic of your choice, which may relate to your future career plans.

This course develops a range of skills employers recognise as transferable in various careers. These include advanced literacy, communication and planning skills.

If you select the optional TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) modules, you pay an additional fee to gain the Trinity College Certificate TESOL, a recognised teaching qualification.

In the first round of teaching quality assessments, the Higher Education Funding Council for England rated our English teaching as excellent.

There is also a full-time version of this course.