The English language is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world with hundreds of millions of speakers; as such, it’s no surprise that the English Language programme at the University of Chester is an extremely popular degree option. Take a look at this blog to find out what you can expect from this course.
1) Specialist facilities
As an English Language student at the University of Chester, you will have access to a range of different equipment and facilities to ensure you have a dynamic and stimulating learning experience. Our teaching rooms are supplied with all the technology and equipment needed for presentations and multimedia experiences, whilst our library contains the most up-to-date English Language and Linguistics text books, specialist journals and electronic resources, providing you with all the material you need when it comes to writing those all-important assignments.
As if that isn’t enough, we are currently in the process of creating a new English Language resource room, fully equipped with specialist facilities to help you get the most out of your degree programme, such as state-of-the-art digital voice recorders for collecting spoken data and dedicated hardware and software for analysing written and spoken texts. Also, we have recently invested in a range of standardised language tests, such as the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF), which can be used for carrying out research into children’s language.
2) Influential guest speakers
To enhance your English Language experience at Chester, we regularly organise talks by academics and researchers from other universities; these cover a range of topics related to the degree programme including cutting-edge research ranging from acoustic phonetics to discourse analysis and beyond.
The first research seminar of the 2015-16 academic year was by Dr Andrea Mayr (Queen’s University, Belfast) who investigated the topics of multimodality and ideology in the news media. The seminar was designed to complement concepts taught on the Level 6 module English and Media Discourse, but students from other modules were also encouraged to attend. Further recent research seminars included lectures by Dr Louise Nuttall (University of Huddersfield) who applied the Cognitive Stylistic model of Text World Theory to reader responses to the novel We Need to Talk about Kevin; Dr Caroline Tagg (Open University) whose research investigates how the nature of giving and taking offence is interpreted on Facebook; and Professor Barry Heselwood (University of Leeds) who discussed processes of phonetic assimilation.
3) Innovative teaching
Whilst all of our current English Language staff are active researchers, writing and publishing in the various sub-disciplines of English Language and Linguistics, their main priority will always be your learning. With this in mind, it will come as no surprise to learn that this year the Faculty of Humanities’ Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to a member of the English Language lecturing team for the third year running. The award, which celebrates innovative and excellent teaching, was won by Dr Frank Herrmann in 2013, Dr Joanne Close in 2014, and Dr Matt Davies in 2015. In 2015, Dr Urszula Skrzypik and Helen West were also commended for their work supporting first year students with their academic development.
4) Employability
At Chester, our programme has been designed to not only help you reach your full academic potential, but also to prepare you for life after graduation.
During the course you will have the opportunity to take part in the university’s excellent Work-Based Learning module, a work-placement module tailored to your needs as an English Language student, which will also be a valuable asset on your CV. There may also be the opportunity to study abroad at a partner university for either a term or a full academic year; other options include a three-month study placement at the end of Year Two. These practical work experience opportunities and study abroad options are great for helping you stand out to employers, whilst allowing you to explore which career path is right for you.
5) The personal touch
At Chester we pride ourselves on offering our students a personal university experience, where you will never be just a number. If you ever have a question or a concern, your tutors are available throughout the week for one-to-one appointments. In addition, when you commence your studies at Chester you will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will become your first point of call for any academic and pastoral concerns you may have. By getting to know you on a personal level, your PAT can offer you tailored support to help you reach your full academic and personal potential.
Want to find out more?
For further information about studying English Language at Chester, take a look at the course page on our website, or contact the English Departmental Administrators.
Contact us
E: englishadmin@chester.ac.uk T: 01244 513152.
If you have any questions about living and studying at the University of Chester, please feel free to contact us; we’ll be more than happy to help.
E: enquiries@chester.ac.uk T: 01244 511000
Visit us
If you would like to find out more about this course and see what it is like to study and live at the University of Chester, take the opportunity to visit us. And if you have any questions about your visit, we’ll be happy to help.
E: visitus@chester.ac.uk T: 01244 511000
