English Language Teaching
This subject area begins by considering where all students are in terms of their past and current personal second language learning, and invites them to share their reflections on successes and difficulties. It then explores recent and current explanations for why some people succeed better than others. Embedded in the modules is the acquisition of ‘tools of the trade’: a good working knowledge of English grammar and phonology. Year two focuses on approaches to teaching and learning, while in year three a module in Issues in English looks at English as a global language, and there is the chance to do an individual project.
Explore questions such as how learners learn English and how they progress in learning, as well as the theories underlying professional ELT practice.
These modules can be studied as part of the programme leading to a degree in English Language & Communication, or as a pathway towards a degree title containing English Language Teaching as a named subject.
All members of staff are actively engaged in research in our specialist areas and we regularly present their work at both national and international conferences. In recent years, we have hosted an Institute of Acoustics Workshop, the Child Language Seminar, a Relevance Theory Workshop and a meeting of the Linguistics Association of Great Britain.
Academic and personal support for students is provided by seminars and one-to-one tutorials; Research Seminars are held to encourage discussion and cater for different areas of academic interest.
We offer supervision for candidates wishing to pursue the postgraduate degrees by research in our various areas of expertise.
If you are interested in studying as a part-time student please contact Dr Anna Tripp for an informal discussion. Tel: (01707) 285654. E-mail: a.f.tripp@herts.ac.uk .
