Course Summary

This course combines linguistic theory, cultural identity and practical communication to help you achieve the high-level of analytical and communicative skills that are highly sought after in numerous professional settings. It is a very flexible course that allows you to focus on your key language-related interests, including translation, media, public relations, business and teaching.

While you will study key features of the English language, such as its make-up and various uses from persuasion to deception, you will often self-direct your studies. Primary research and original thought is encouraged from the outset, and you will be given tasks that require natural conversation samples to be ethically collected, represented and discussed. You will learn a variety of research concepts and methods to guide you in these exercises. There will even be opportunities to carry out original research at our world-leading Centre for Research in Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA).

You will receive plenty of guidance in this highly interactive course from friendly, experienced and supportive teachers. Specialists in linguistics will help you to analyse written and spoken language, while staff with media experience will share their expertise on the language of radio and newspapers. You will also find an excellent support network through your fellow classmates, who consist of both UK and international students. Group discussions with students from around the world will help you to develop your understanding of intercultural communication, which you will be able to apply across a range of professional settings in the future.

Why choose this course?

The excellent communication and analytical skills you acquire on this course will make you highly employable in a number of areas, including local government, journalism and media, teaching, public relations, public services, business and more. Completion of this course will also grant you automatic acceptance to a choice of postgraduate degrees such as the MA in Applied Linguistics, the MA in Intercultural Communication or one of the courses from the Business Masters Suite.

During this course you will:

• Consider the complex relationship between language use, culture and identity
• Explore the practical application of communication and linguistic theory
• Investigate speech patterns and writing in social and professional settings
• Conduct extensive primary research and develop your research and analytical skills
• Write an extended piece of independent research on a topic of your own choosing, such as text-messaging, bilingual language-mixing, or documentary analysis of religious, political or commercial texts
• Benefit from access to our 'internationally excellent' Centre for Research in Language Learning and Assessment
• Learn in a multicultural environment that will help to develop your intercultural communication skills

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Words and grammar in speech and writing
• Communication and meaning, accents and dialects
• Critical reasoning and research skills

Further Information

BAENG-S

Assessment

The course exploits a range of assessment types over the three year period of the course. Many of the tasks you are set encourage original thinking and discovery rather than mere repetition of what has been presented in lectures.

You will have formal examinations, in-class tests, presentations and take-away assessments, individual and group projects. Many of the assessments have been designed to support the learning process as much as assess your progress.

Educational Aims

• To develop an understanding of the relationship between language, culture, society and the individual


• To help you acquire the knowledge, skills and personal qualities you will need for a professional career in which English language and communication skills are central


• To help you improve your use of English in academic, professional and general contexts as well as your personal study skills, so as to enhance your achievement in your degree as a whole

Student support

In addition to your normal classes, student-driven workshops, known as `clubs are held each week in order to support some of the particularly challenging areas of language study such as syntax, phonetics, and research-related issues.

Team working

Throughout the course, units include groupwork amongst the range of class and homework activities, with some units using a group format for certain tasks. The use of `clubs supplements the taught elements of the course and these further encourage good communication. Negotiating skills are an inherent by-product of working together toward an agreed goal and this is a characteristic feature of the course.

Career Management Skills

The choice of options, topics selected for research throughout the course and the dissertation are all made with a view to tailoring the student profile towards a certain career pathway. From the second year students are encouraged to select a dissertation topic that is most likely to impress potential employers. As well as learning about good presentation skills students are introduced to common formats for CVs. Students are encouraged to include their dissertation topic in the CV to ensure their interviewer knows what the applicant has achieved at the pinnacle of their academic achievement and is able to relate it to their career aspirations.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

This course is primarily aimed at an English Language Teaching (ELT) career although it will provide an excellent background where well-developed presentation and communication skills are prized. Those who have completed this course have gone into teaching as a career, business, public relations, and local government .

Further study:

Follow on Masters degrees in MA Applied Linguistics - TEFL, or Intercultural Communication are good choices.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire.

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

The British Council\English UK (some elements of the course)

Students with disabilities

We follow standard University protocol with regards to students with disabilities. Students with special education needs are welcome to follow the BAELS, although those with career aspirations that involve high levels of accuracy and literacy will be given individual counselling.

Being highly linguistic in its content, some aspects of this course (such as TEFL) may be less suitable for those with SEN such as dyslexia. Due to the variety of characteristics associated with SEN, students who feel they may be affected are encouraged to seek guidance at the earliest opportunity from the Field Chair.

Skills Development

Learning Outcomes

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• LO1 relate to and co-operate with others during problem solving exercises, thus contributing to your groups achievement of a final goal


• LO2 demonstrate an ability to select and prioritise relevant topics in reports and presentations.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• LO3 Select and use appropriate layouts for presenting different types of information including graphics, charts, tables and text


• LO4 make effective, ethical use of all available learning resources, library and your tutors

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• LO5 identify achievable targets, review, monitor progress and evaluate overall strategy


• LO6 carry out a well-defined research project and display all relevant academic skills


• LO7 demonstrate your awareness of ethical issues in dealing with others and others work

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• LO8 Justify your analyses according to general linguistic principles


• LO9 Evaluate the strength of arguments and their persuasive force


• LO10 Document your progress, changes in attitude, thoughts and feelings as events unfold

Improving learning and performance

The subject matter of the course has an inherent introspective focus considering acts of communication and an individuals intentions. This culminates in some units whose focus is on the manifold roles of attitude and expectation both of a learner and of those in the learners environment.

The assessment regime of the course is one that not only provides student opportunities for feedback but includes tasks that are inherently creative and open-ended. Work that shows evidence of methodical creativity and original thinking is prized and rewarded - even if the work contains outcomes that are unexpected - provided an appropriate rationale is included.

Through the use of BREO, some units provide additional learning materials and opportunities for self-access while other units make less of the virtual presence and concentrate more on the social aspects of learning and encourage physical presence and interaction within the classroom and beyond. The introduction of `clubs provides a forum for student-led discussions and the opportunity to solve problems by applying some of theories presented in class.

The personal tutor system operates across all three levels and students are allocated a tutor from year one and the tutor moves up a level each year with the students so as to facilitate the communication process between tutor and student.

Progress files

Units in all three levels make use of portfolios and journals as a means of recording student progress. The emphasis may be on incidents of communication breakdown, a collection of tasks or pieces of work or perhaps a series of journal entries of a more introspective and reflexive nature.

Professional standards

All individuals involved in BA ELS as students or staff are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, considerate and professional manner at all times. This includes dealing with other people in the classroom and beyond, and representing the University. Everybody agrees to follow ethical guidelines as set out in course documentation, participation in class activities and respect for intellectual discussion and debate.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

The course instils a sense of professionalism and respect for others from the outset. Tutors set examples and maintain them through the personal tutor system. Ethics and responsibilities are discussed at length during the mandatory units in the second year.