English Language and Teaching at BGU: Learning to teach at home and aboard

This Summer, we spoke to one of our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) students, as well as their academics, to learn more about our undergraduate course, BA (Hons) English Language and Teaching. 

Why study English Language and Teaching?

Kay Johnson, Programme Leader of TESOL at BGU, explained: “Many of our students join this programme because they have a desire to travel, work in the UK with people from diverse language and cultural background, and teach.

“Equally, we have just as many students who are considering careers in primary or secondary schools in this country and therefore want the chance to get some teaching experience under their belts, whilst undertaking a degree that gives them flexibility when they finish: to be English-language specialists in schools, or pursue careers in journalism, publishing, or speech and language therapy. “ 

Are there opportunities for real life teaching on the course? 

As part of their degree, students are invited to take part in real life teaching experiences, here in Lincolnshire, and sometimes internationally. 

Each year, a number of our students can apply to participate in BGU’s international trips, which run for 4 weeks in June. 

During her first year of study, English Language and Teaching student Amelia Dickinson travelled to Madagascar for a unique and transformative teaching experience. 

Amelia shared more with us about her experience: “There was no question that travelling to Madagascar was going to be a culture shock to the group and group and I; however, it was undoubtedly the most amazing, yet humbling experience of my life.

“One major thing I learned during this trip is that language does not have to be a huge barrier in communication. There is so much more than speech, such as facial expressions, actions, laughing and even crying, which was the main forms of communication of the children.

“A skill I will definitely use in both the short and long term is adapting my language and communication methods in order for learners to understand better. With my goal in the future being to teach English abroad, I believe this experience has led me in an excellent direction for my future career.” 

Even for students that don’t travel abroad, there are plenty of opportunities to develop their teaching skills close to campus. Students have the opportunity to observe language classes and learn how to plan effective lessons, before finally getting hands-on experience teaching ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) lessons at Lincoln City Foundation’s Conversation Club, which provides a relaxed and fun setting for language-learners in the community. 

Students can further boost this experience and their employability, by opting in to the Trinity Cert TESOL qualification - an internationally recognised teaching certificate which gives them a passport to language teaching jobs in the UK and abroad.

What are the benefits of real life teaching experiences for students?

Kay continued: “Whether our students teach abroad or stay at home, it’s amazing to see how they are transformed by these experiences. 

“For the TESOL team, it’s incredibly moving to hear about our students’ international experiences and it’s a real privilege to support them through their teaching practice journey and see them realise how their skills have developed at the end. 

“Our students’ confidence grows, they uncover skills that surprise them, build resilience and cultural awareness, and make international connections with people they never thought they’d meet. Mostly, we notice how these experiences motivate students to engage with studies even more keenly, as study becomes ‘real’ and the opportunities beyond graduation become wider and more possible."

To find out more about English Language and Teaching at BGU, please click here!