BA (Hons) English Language and Applied Linguistics at University of Hertfordshire | Student Connect

University of Hertfordshire

BA (Hons) English Language and Applied Linguistics

How do humans learn language? We’re all experts in our native tongue, so why can it be so hard to become fluent in a language we learn later in life? By understanding how we learn language, we can understand how to teach it.

Through this BA English Language and Applied Linguistics you’ll do both: English language teaching is an integral part of your course, while you’ll also have the opportunity to learn one of five languages – French, Spanish, German, Japanese or Mandarin. All are for beginners or GCSE level (apart from Mandarin), with the exception of Spanish, which can be taken by those who already have A-level Spanish.

This combined programme of English language teaching and language learning will give you an excellent grounding if you plan to teach English as a foreign language following postgraduate teacher training. Alternatively you could be teaching children in primary or secondary schools whose second language is English.

You’ll take two English Language Teaching (ELT) modules each year. We offer a career development module in your second year that will equip you to take up an English Language teaching work placement - perhaps teaching phonics to primary school pupils or teaching at a special needs school - or become a Stroke Association volunteer. You may also shadow speech and language therapists or help with specialist language teaching in sixth form college. In your final year you’ll study Global Englishes and a compulsory project looking at a particular aspect of English Language teaching. This could involve field work or observing teaching and learning methods in a college setting.

Alongside your ELT studies you’ll take a semester in your chosen language, using language laboratories and practising conversation with native speakers wherever possible. You’ll also be introduced to Linguistics, the scientific study of everything to do with language, from its structure to the ways it reflects society, how it’s used, and how it changes over time.

From forensic linguistics to the study of language disorders, what links your courses is our focus on the applied use of English language.

Across all modules you’ll be taught and supported by research-active academics working in cutting-edge areas such as language and gender, formulaic language, corpus studies, bilingualism, bilingual processing and codeswitching. Their research will inform your own final year projects, which allow you to develop your research skills and learn how to collect and analyse data from vast databases of our infinitely rich and complex English language.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too. 

Entry Requirements

UCAS points A Level BTRC IB
112-120 BBC-BBB DMM-DDM 112-120

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics

Access course tariff: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

Course Details

Our English Language students benefit from being part of a supportive, research-active academic community. From tutorials and group work to eye-opening psycholinguistic experiments, we use a range of engaging, student-centred teaching methods to help you work confidently and creatively.

You’ll dive into real-life data, get involved in research and learn from guest experts. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in activities that will complement your studies, such as working for the student newspaper or radio station. Not only do these enhance your experience, they also make for a more impressive CV.

Year 1

Language and mind
English language learners
Investigating language
Introduction to english linguistics 1
Introduction to english linguistics 2
Introduction to english language teaching
Optional modules

Mandarin route a - 4a 15 credits
Mandarin route a - 4b
French route a - 4a
French route a - 4b
French route b - 4a
French route b - 4b
German route a - 4a
German route a - 4b
German route b - 4a
German route b - 4b
Japanese route a - 4a
Japanese route a - 4b
Spanish route c - 4a
Spanish route c - 4b
Spanish route a - 4a
Spanish route a - 4b
Spanish route b - 4a
Spanish route b - 4b
Communication, interaction, context
Japanese route b-4a
Japanese route b-4b
Language in the media

Year 2

Learning and teaching language 2
English grammar
Sounds of english
Graduate skills
Learning and teaching language 1

Optional modules
Language and species
Language in society
Forensic linguistics
Language competencies in career development
History of the english language
Research methods in english language & communication

Year 3

Elt project
Global englishes

Optional modules
Child language & communication
Clinical linguistics
Language processing
Communication and cultures
Meaning and context
Year abroad
Chunky language: investigating formulaic sequences
The humanities placement year
Gender in language and communication
Corpus-based studies in english language

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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