BA in Educational Linguistics

Interested in investigating the key role of language in education and how it affects our learning?

On our Educational Linguistics programme you will have the chance to think about the key role of language and linguistics in education, and about how discourses around language shape classroom practices and policies.

96% of Graduates from our School of Languages and Linguistics were in employment or further study within six months. DLHE 2017.

Key Facts

• UCAS Code – QX30
• Location – York campus
• Duration – 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• Start date – September 2020
• School – Languages & Linguistics

Course Overview

Our programme is distinctive in its focus on linguistics in educational settings. Linguistics concerns the study of language from a broad range of perspectives, including the way speech is articulated, how language is structured and related to meaning and how it relates to speakers’ intentions and purposes in social interaction. You will gain a solid grounding in linguistics and use your knowledge to consider challenging issues for practitioners and policy-makers, such as the linguistic impact of Special Educational Needs and growth in multilingualism in UK classrooms.

You will develop core skills in linguistics which you will apply to educational contexts throughout your studies. This course considers the applications of linguistics to the multilingual classroom, to first and second language acquisition, to the acquisition of written language and the role of language in educational discourse. You will also study modules which consider language impairments and their diagnosis and management.

Based within the School of Languages & Linguistics, you will have access to specialist facilities including a dedicated Linguistics Lab, as well as opportunities to work on research projects with staff and fellow students.

If you are interested in a career within education, such as becoming a teacher, SEN specialist or speech and language therapist, then this is the course for you. The programme is also a great stepping-stone to further Postgraduate study routes including PGCE, Education and Special Educational Needs & Inclusion.

Course Structure

Level 1

Modules

• English Language & Linguistics - This module aims to develop your critical awareness of language, introducing the historical development of language and of English, of linguistics, and a variety of systematic approaches to language study.
• Key Concepts in Language Learning & Teaching - This module introduces you to the discipline of applied linguistics and to controversies in its definition, scope and relationship to linguistics and language teaching. The module will prepare you for any tutoring you may do in your second year and beyond.
• Language & Society - This module explores key aspects of language variation and the relationship between language and society. Throughout the module, you will be introduced to terms, ideas and approaches to the study of language and society and you will investigate language as a social phenomenon.
• Descriptive Grammar of English - This module examines the grammatical framework of linguistic structures. Discussions will also consider how configurations of the elements of this framework relate to meaning. Where possible, the module examines these issues in relation to real texts.
• Phonetics - This module introduces the principles of articulatory phonetics and instructs students in the description, recognition and production of a subset of the sounds and symbols of the International Phonetic Association.
• Multilingualism - This module addresses the world's linguistic diversity and variation and situates the English language within the context of our multilingual world. Language variation and multilingualism are considered to form linguistic, psychological, sociocultural and educational perspectives.

All modules are worth 20 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Level 2

Modules

• Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom - This module will equip you to think about the complexities of language use in schools and the challenges presented in working with particular groups of students. You will consider the concept of 'inclusion' and the impact of an increase in multilingualism in UK classrooms.
• Applied Phonetics & Phonology - This module introduces core principles of phonology, building on and applying phonetics skills taught at level 1. You will be introduced to aspects of phonetics and phonology that support the analysis of varieties of language including child phonology and languages other than English.
• Language, Gender & Sexuality - Language, gender and sexuality is a diverse and often controversial field, giving rise to varying and sometimes contradictory theories. This module will provide you with a thorough grounding in the main areas of feminist and queer linguistic enquiry. The main aim of the module is to empower you to argue for your own position and give you the grounding from which to develop your own work and ideas.
• Language at Work - This module includes 10-days of work experience. In addition, the module will consider relevant issues and practices within places of work as well as the communication demands on the prospective work-seeker within contemporary society.
• Language & Literacy - This module will introduce you to key issues in relation to the development of literacy, focusing primarily on the development of writing skills.
• Psycholinguistics - This module helps you develop an awareness of the psychological dimensions of language knowledge and use and provides you with a broad map of the concepts, issues, phenomena and research methods associated with the field of psycholinguistics.

All modules are worth 20 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Level 3

Modules

• Attitudes to Language - This module examines publicly held views of language. It covers topics such as Standard English and correctness. With particular reference to education, it also investigates the social, political and ideological issues associated with these views.
• Speech & Language Pathology - This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to speech and language pathology and give you an appreciation of how clinicians evaluate and make decisions about intervention to remediate speech and language difficulties in both adults and children.
• Child Language Acquisition - This module introduces students to key theories of child language acquisition with a focus on the acquisition of speech sounds. The module takes a workshop approach to learn about the typical phonological processes seen in children and how these articulations move towards the adult system over time.
• Reflections in Linguistics - This module aims to encourage you to engage with and reflect upon your learning over the entire course of your degree programme. It invites you to critically evaluate and integrate themes from across and beyond the course.
• Dissertation: Educational Linguistics (40 credits) - The Educational Linguistics Dissertation provides an environment in which you can take responsibility for managing your own learning and outcomes. This learning environment facilitates independent linguistic research on a topic of your choice within the domain of Educational Linguistics.

All modules are worth 20 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Teaching & Assessment

Delivery

Educational Linguistics modules are delivered using a mixture of lectures, workshops and seminars. Seminar groups typically have up to 30 students.

Academic and research skills are embedded in modules, for example, academic writing and referencing, peer review, use of web-based resources for document sharing, and the use of wikis and blogs.

Contact Hours

You will take three modules per semester (except for your final semester when you will take a 40-credit dissertation module and one other module). Modules have at least three hours of contact time per week. The taught sessions could be spread across all five days of the week or could be concentrated into fewer days. Taught sessions are scheduled between 9.00 am-8.00 pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9.00 am-1.00 pm Wednesday, and 9.00 am-6.00 pm Friday.

As well as the taught sessions, you will also have academic tutorials through the semester, you can set up tutorials with your module tutors, and you'll be able to attend events such as the Colloquium Lectures and Language Talks.

Self-Study Time

If you are joining us from school, college or the workplace you will probably feel you have a comparatively empty timetable. This is because a 20-credit module, which is equivalent to 200 hours of study, has three hours a week of contact time - the rest is the study you are expected to do yourself.

We support students in achieving this by giving lots of guidance on what to study, including weekly readings and preparation for assessments, and offering regular tutorials and drop-in sessions with module tutors so you can get feedback on your work. All modules are supported by materials hosted on Moodle, the University's Virtual Learning Environment.

Staffing

You will be taught by academic staff in the School of Languages & Linguistics. The Head of School is Dr Rachel Wicaksono. The Educational Linguistics programme is managed by the Subject Director for Linguistics, Nikki Swift. University support staff are well integrated into our programme, for example, a representative from the library contributes sessions on research and referencing over the course of the programme.

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods vary from module to module. There is an exam on Descriptive Grammar of English in semester two of the first year. Other assessment methods include essays, presentations, data analysis, online tests, peer reviews, class tests, blog posts and research proposals and reports.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The minimum entry requirements for this course are:

• 96 UCAS Tariff points
• 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) including the English Language

Fees and Funding

To study for an undergraduate degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay will depend on whether you're a UK and EU student or an international (non-EU) student. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course.

UK and EU 2020 Entry

The tuition fee for 2020 entry to our Foundation, BA and BSc, PGCE Primary and Secondary and undergraduate Health degrees is £9,250 per year for full-time UK, EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

For UK, EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students studying part-time, the tuition fee for 2020 entry to the above courses is £4,265 per year.

Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.

Find out more about funding for Foundation or Placement Year by visiting the Funding Advice pages of our website.

International (non-EU) 2020 Entry

The tuition fee for 2020 entry to our Foundation, BA and BSc, PGCE Primary and Secondary and undergraduate Health degrees is £12,750 per year for international (non-EU) students.

Due to immigration laws, international students on a Tier 4 visa must be studying full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

More information about funding your studies is available on our International Fees and Funding page.

Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.

Additional Costs and Financial Support

There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.

Course-Related Costs

Whilst studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

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