Learn the essentials for teaching languages to others, while simultaneously going through the experience of learning a language yourself. Pass the teaching practice modules and graduate with an additional qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Certificate).

Our course is ideal if you want to teach English to non-native speakers, but the knowledge and skills you develop will also prepare you for a range of other possible careers in the media, in administration, in business and in education; in fact, any job where the ability to apply critical thinking to problems, to conduct independent research and to communicate the results of your work to others are required.

You study topics which give you a thorough grounding in English Language, and teaching English Language to others, including:

• Linguistics and sociolinguistics
• The structure of the English language
• Second language learning
• Practical training in TEFL methods

You also study up to two of the languages offered at Essex: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, completing at least one language to a minimum of Proficiency level. These languages are widely used in the business world, and having acquired near fluency, many of our graduates go on to develop successful global careers with international firms looking.

We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route.

Your future

Studying language and linguistics allows you to develop your research and IT skills by collecting and analysing linguistic data using state-of-the-art technology, and a combination of team-work and independent projects enhances your communication, problem-solving, and management skills.

Graduates of our department have gone on to have careers in a wide variety of fields, including teaching (in the UK and abroad), journalism, branding, advertising, marketing, travel, communications, publishing, speech and occupational therapy, interpreting, translating and media.

For example, one of our department’s recent graduates is now an Assistant Editor at Scholastic, whilst another teaches English in South Korea. Other graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• The British Council
• English in Action
• Cambridge University Press
• Macmillan Publishers
• Cambridge University Press
• Decisive Media Ltd