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Graduation
Graduation is one of the highlights of the academic year here at BGU. -
English Language & Teaching
Our English Language and Teaching programme immerses you in the fascinating study of English, from how it developed from humble origins to the global language with all its variations that we use today, to how it is learned by children as a first language or by learners of English as a second or further language - and much more. You will explore questions about language structures and language use in society, language disorders, and language acquisition and you will learn practical methods - and get hands-on experience - of how to teach it. Crucially, you will develop skills and knowledge to help you gain employment or pursue further studies for work or research in linguistics, education, and language teaching, and a range of other relevant fields. -
Dr Kay Johnson
Kay is the Programme Leader for the MA in Education with TESOL, is a senior lecturer on the BA TESOL and Linguistics, and also lectures on the MA programme. She previously worked as a senior lecturer on the BA in Education Studies at BGU and continues to contribute to the programme as a guest lecturer. She has many years' experience as a TEFL teacher in the UK and overseas, and has taught EAP pre-sessional courses at the University of Nottingham. Her research background is as a linguistic ethnographer and she conducted fieldwork for her PhD in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, which is the most linguistically-dense nation in the world. Kay’s research interests span topics within theoretical linguistics, sociolinguistics and applied linguistics, and has most recently worked with education sector partners in Vanuatu to increase their capacity for local language literacy in educational and community contexts. She has taught linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and worked as a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Kingston in London (2014-18). Kay gained her BA in French and English from the University of Liverpool and obtained an MA in Language Documentation and Description (2009), and a PhD in Field Linguistics (2014) from SOAS. -
BGU to host BAAL Language Policy Forum 2021
Bishop Grosseteste University is this year’s host of the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) Language Policy Forum 2021 which is taking place from 27-28 May. Key-note speakers Prof. Wendy Ayres-Bennett (University of Cambridge) and Prof. Joseph Lo Bianco (University of Melbourne) will be joining us, along with researchers from the UK and around the world, to discuss the latest issues in language policy in all its forms. BGU, the Communication & Language Research & Knowledge Exchange Unit and the TESOL team are delighted to have been chosen to host this year’s online event. Dr. Abigail Parrish, chair of the local organising committee, says: “It’s a real honour to be able to host such esteemed colleagues from such a wide range of countries and backgrounds at BGU. We’re so excited to hear about the latest research in all aspects of language policy.” For tickets and more information, click here. CoLa (Communication and Language RKEU) and the TESOL team at BGU have continued to develop innovative ways of teaching and adapting their research and national and international partnerships over the course of the pandemic; hosting the BAAL LP2021 is another example of this commitment. For more on in Linguistics and TESOL with BGU, see our course information here. -
Student Voices
Let our students tell you their stories, as they share their personal experiences as BGU students, living in Lincoln and studying a higher education degree. -
English Language & Teaching with Foundation Year
Our English Language and Teaching programme immerses you in the fascinating study of English, from how it developed from humble origins to the global language with all its variations that we use today, to how it is learned by children as a first language or by learners of English as a second or further language - and much more. You will explore questions about language structures and language use in society, language disorders, and language acquisition and you will learn practical methods - and get hands-on experience - of how to teach it. Crucially, you will develop skills and knowledge to help you gain employment or pursue further studies for work or research in linguistics, education, and language teaching, and a range of other relevant fields. -
Dr. Jessica Vernon
Dr. Jessica Vernon is programme leader of MA Education and iPGCE. Prior to joining BGU Jessica earned her undergraduate degree in TESOL and Linguistics from Manchester Metropolitan University. Alongside her studies she completed her CELTA qualification and gained experience teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and English for Academic Purposes. She has experience teaching English to adults and young learners. In 2018 Jessica joined BGU as a student to complete her MA in Education with TESOL. Following this she returned to BGU as a lecturer in TESOL and Linguistics. Teaching on BA English Language and Teaching, and MA Education with TESOL. Her teaching focused on Language and Communication, Historical Linguistics, TESOL in Practice, Testing and Assessment in Language teaching, and Global English. In addition to this, she held the role of course director for the Trinity CertTESOL award where would guide level 5 students to gain an internationally recognised teaching qualification. Whilst working at BGU Jessica has completed her PhD part time, which was awarded by the University of Leicester in 2024. Thesis entitled, Motivational frameworks in a classroom context: exploring their utility in measuring LOTE learners' motivation. Her academic interests include: Modern foreign language motivation in anglophone countries, the impact of the learning environment and emotions on language learning, and supporting EAL learners. -
BGU travels to the Czech Republic
Three members of staff from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) are in the Czech Republic this week for a series of meetings and visits. Clare Davey, International Administrator, Dr Smaragda Kampouri, Programme Leader in TESOL & Linguistics and Dr Maria Efstratopoulou, Senior Lecturer in Special Educational Needs & Inclusion, are visiting partner institution Mazaryk University during their visit to the Czech Republic. Meetings will be taking place with Mazaryk University’s Faculty of Education, sharing good practice on systems of teaching practice and professional competencies of student teachers. Clare will be meeting with the University’s International Office, sharing ideas and their functions within the University, as well as collating information for BGU students who wish to undertake an Erasmus Study Programme. School visits will include a mainstream primary school and an inclusive primary school with a high percentage of Roma children. Maria will also be teaching two workshops to PhD students on Research methods in Education. Find out more about studying at BGU. -
Students reflect on “inspirational” Thailand trip
Students and staff from Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) visited the University’s partner institute in Thailand to undertake some teaching and learn about Thai language and culture. -
How my time on the English Language and Teaching course has helped me grow my skills and confidence
By Melanie Oakes - 2nd Year BA English Language and Teaching (formerly TESOL & Linguistics Student) After having my son this course is the best thing I’ve done, it’s made me feel a lot better about who I am. I never really had a huge interest in education while I was at school, I missed almost a year due to illness, and even after I returned I struggled to engage with my subjects due to a real lack of confidence. The end result was that I left school with only 3 O Levels. Despite my family attempting to support me by claiming I was artistic rather than academic I ended up feeling like the one member of my family who wasn’t clever with both my sisters gaining 10 O Levels and going on to careers in Law and Healthcare. I carried this stigma for years until my son started Primary School and I noticed he was struggling with similar issues to my own. When he was later diagnosed as dyslexic it spurred me on to find out if that could be affecting me too. With the aid of the Nottingham Dyslexia Association I was able to finally obtain some evidence of both my dyslexia and, for the first time, my own intelligence. With their encouragement I began to explore the possibilities of a future at university. I already had an interest in languages and could speak basic Swedish so I decided to look into TEFL short courses. While undertaking a learning session for one in Lincoln I met a BGU student who praised the university and offered to put me in touch with the course lecturers. The next thing I knew I was being offered a place on the undergraduate course. I came to an open day for mature students and had a brilliant time, all the lecturers were great and really easy to connect with. They clearly understood that everyone had their own unique motivations for joining higher education and they wanted to help support them. I felt like a fraud at first due to my age and previous academic struggles, but as I’ve gone through the course my belief and confidence in myself has grown immeasurably. It’s taken a lot of hard work and meant I’ve had to learn a whole new set of skills, including how to use PowerPoint, but I’ve loved studying historical linguistics and the spread of English globally, they’ve been fascinating subjects that have answered a number of lifelong questions. In fact, I’ve found the whole subject so stimulating, except for referencing! Even with my Dyslexia, ADD and Fibromyalgia I’ve been able to succeed at BGU and I’m now beginning to explore the potential of a master’s degree. It’s all been a lot to balance at points, particularly being a single mother, but what I’ve gained from the course both mentally and in terms of my self-esteem has been so worth it. I would totally encourage anyone who was thinking of going on this course to do it. You won’t regret it. It’s highly interesting, you learn and experience things you never thought you would and it ultimately opens up so many doors to you; for example, I’m now doing 1:1 teaching with a lady from Hong Kong to help improve her English. You should never think you’re too old to go for something, it can be hard to get to grips with new technology but there are lots of avenues for support including CELT and Student Advice along with many opportunities to broaden your mind. Give it a go. If you’re interested in following in Melanie’s footsteps you can find more information on our BA English Language and Teaching course by visiting our website, talking to our Enquiries Team or joining us on one of our Open Days.
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