HAs in English Language and Linguistics The Rationale Dr Carmen Arnáiz

Why these awards? Increased popularity of English Language at A-level (AQA alone had candidates in 2003) Over 700 applicants a year to UWE have English Language A-level; 120 have AS-level English language In the South-West of England, English Language is only available at one local HEI, namely Plymouth Consistent popularity of the current Linguistics HA (appr. 40 students per year)

Why these awards? Regular student enquiries about the possibilities of combining Linguistics with English Language Attractive to students of English Literature Attractive to overseas students wishing to obtain in-depth knowledge of English language in a wider sense Attractive to students with non-traditional backgrounds

Aims of the HA (English Language) Equip students with knowledge and understanding of –English Language in its own right, variations across the globe, role of English in the modern world, past, present and future of English –Textlinguistics and discourse analysis –Teaching of English as a foreign language, intercultural communication

Aims of the HA (Linguistics) Give an introduction into different areas of core Linguistics Offer the opportunity to obtain an in-depth knowledge of specific aspects of Linguistics. (Phonology, Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics, Applied Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Sociolinguistics, Bilingualism and Language Contact).

Aims of both HAs Equip students with the appropriate linguistic tools and metalanguage to describe and analyse English Develop throughout the Award a range of generic skills, subject/professional and practical skills, transferable skills To represent a coherent progression from the existing A Level English Language

Structure of the Awards Level 1 (English Language) –English in the modern world –Introduction to Textlinguistics Level 1 (Linguistics) –Introduction to Linguistics 1: Language and Communication –Introduction to Linguistics 2: Sociolinguistic and Stylistic variation

Differences between HAs HA Linguistics : –focus on core Linguistics (Syntax, Morphology, Phonology, Semantics and Pragmatics) –different specialist strands (Sociolinguistics, Language Acquisition, Language and Humour) HA English Language: –focus on English –Textlinguistics and discourse –TESOL

Career prospects The HA English Language offers students the possibility of discovering their suitability for a career in TESOL. Other major career options for both HAs: –business services sector, in the UK and abroad; public administration; communications; publishing; media; education; law; marketing, hotels, leisure and tourism.