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Undergraduate Course

English Language, Linguistics and TESOL BA (Hons)

Explore language, how people learn English and its use around the world.

Student studying

Everyone uses language, but not everyone understands how we use it. Explore how we learn and use language, how it is structured and how it conveys meaning. Alongside this, we will teach you theories and methods for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). This combination of knowledge and skills will prepare you for teaching English in a multilingual world.

94% English Language and Linguistics students responded with a 94% positivity score for how good teaching staff are at explaining things. (National Student Survey 2024)

York campus

  • UCAS code – QX31
  • Duration – 3 year full time, 6 years part time
  • Start date – September 2025, September 2026
  • School – School of Education, Language and Psychology

Minimum entry requirements

104 UCAS Tariff points

3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.

Tuition fees

UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time

International 2025 entry £14,700 per year full time

Discover English Language and Linguistics

Dr Kate Whisker-Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Programme Lead for Linguistics and TESOL introduces us to English Language, Linguistics and TESOL at York St John University.

Course overview

Explore the core theories of language including its use, meaning and production. Develop your academic skills whilst learning how to teach English to speakers of other languages.

Your learning will focus on applying your theoretical knowledge to language data. This will help you explain how linguistic concepts and issues apply to everyday situations and the classroom.

 

As you progress through your degree you will explore more varied and complex theories of linguistics and teaching language. You can use our specialist linguistics lab to analyse linguistic data and apply your theoretical knowledge to everyday examples of language use. You can choose to specialise in different areas of linguistic study. This could include an exploration of:

  • Language, gender and sexuality
  • Forensic linguistics
  • Language and literacy
  • Speech and language pathology

Course structure

Year 1

Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. How many modules you take each semester will depend on whether you are studying full time or part time. 

In your first year, if you are a full time student, you will study: 

  • 3 compulsory modules in semester 1 
  • 2 compulsory modules and 1 optional module in semester 2

If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Modules

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module you will be introduced to key areas in language and linguistics that you will build on throughout your degree. You will study:

  • Contemporary issues and debates about language use
  • The historical development of language and of English
  • Academic reading, writing and referencing techniques

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

This module will introduce you to TESOL as a discipline and a profession. It will help to prepare you for any tutoring you may do in the UK or abroad. You will consider some common misconceptions that have shaped inequalities in language teaching.

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module you will learn about meaning in language from linguistic, psychological and philosophical perspectives. To do this you will consider:

  • The meanings of words
  • The ambiguity of language
  • Speech acts
  • Implied meaning in language

We aim to give you an awareness of how theories are constructed and evaluated based on research data. To do this, you will gain experience in using online questionnaires for data collection.

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

This module is your introduction to the descriptions of grammatical structures. This means looking at word classes, sentence types, morphology and more. You will study the grammatical variation found within the UK and in other parts of the world. By the end of the module you will have an understanding of the basic terminology and key concepts.

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module you will address the world’s linguistic diversity and consider the place of the English language in our multilingual world. You will consider language variation and multilingualism from linguistic, psychological, sociocultural and educational perspectives by studying topics including:

  • The multilingual mind and how multilingualism affects identity
  • The commodification of language
  • Bilingual education
  • Language policy and planning
  • Multilingualism and the arts

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will learn the basics of British Sign Language (BSL). You will learn to have conversations about different topics such as family, hobbies and food. This module will also give you an awareness of the community that uses BSL and teach you about the history of the language. Drawing on your linguistic knowledge, you will consider the linguistics of BSL and the visual-spatial aspect of the language.

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module is your introduction to the principles of articulatory and practical phonetics. You will learn how to recognise, describe and produce some of the sounds and symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet. This means you will be able to recognise, transcribe and analyse sounds in varieties of English, other languages and children's language.

Year 2

In your second year, if you are a full time student, you will study:

  • 1 compulsory modules and 2 optional module in semester 1
  • 1 compulsory module and 2 optional modules in semester 2

If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Modules

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module, you will develop the skills that will lead you towards becoming a critical, reflective and adaptive language learner, teacher and TESOL professional. Your learning will focus on theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) based around the latest SLA research through which you’ll analyse second language data. In addition, you’ll observe and evaluate English language lessons, developing critical thinking skills as you discuss these lessons in relation to SLA and teaching practice.

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module you will focus on your career. You will embark on a work placement for 10 days. 5 days will be completed in a graduate level role, the other 5 can be completed in a role of your choice that will be discussed with your tutor. Consider the role of language in different workplace contexts. This might include looking at advertising, language and power and clinical communication. We will also help you to enhance your employability by providing training in:

  • Personal branding
  • Presentation skills
  • Interview and application writing skills

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module will give you a deeper understanding of how the English language is spread across the globe. You will study the history of English both in the British Isles and abroad, thinking about the social history of language change, variety and status. You will explore the concept of standard varieties of English and the structural variation in major international varieties of English.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will develop advanced skills in reading and analysing texts across different genres and sensory perceptions. You will study different theories and methods of analysis to understand issues of representation and power in contemporary debates. The knowledge you gain in this module will help you to apply these theories more widely in later modules.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will learn about the key areas of feminist and queer linguistic study. We will cover different theories and approaches to the study of language, gender and sexuality. Gain the knowledge and confidence to develop your own position on these topics, arguing them effectively in your written work. You will also consider how these theories and approaches have been applied to other fields of study, like education, the workplace and in the media.

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module is your introduction to the core principles of phonology. We will introduce you to aspects of phonetics and phonology that will help you analyse variations in language, like child phonology and languages other than English. Topics you will cover on this module include:

  • The concept of the phoneme
  • Narrow allophonic transcription
  • Phonotactics and syllable structure
  • Transcription skills
  • Phonological features

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module will help you develop an awareness of the sociocultural aspects of language. Investigate the issues that affect how language is used in different areas of everyday life. You will learn about different theories and approaches to sociolinguistic study and look at topics such as social and linguistic variation and social justice.

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module will introduce you to the field of forensic linguistics. You will learn how to analyse language as forensic evidence for different crimes such as rape, terrorism, murder and hate crimes. Applying your knowledge of linguistics, you will also look at how language is used in the justice system, from police interviews to language in the courtroom.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will learn to apply your linguistic knowledge to literacy acquisition. You will examine how oral language development feeds into reading and writing development. We will teach you how to analyse reading and writing performance at various stages of literacy development. By the end of the module you will understand the reading and writing children engage with at different ages and be able to explain their literacy development.

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module will help you develop an awareness of the psychological elements of language, including:

  • Visual word recognition
  • How we learn to read and spell
  • Spoken work recognition
  • Language production

As part of the module you will develop skills in research design, collecting data and analysing it. You will also gain experience in writing up your findings in a report.

Year 3

In your third year, if you are a full time student, you will study:

  • 2 compulsory modules and 1 optional module in semester 1
  • 2 compulsory modules in semester 2

If you are a part time student, the modules above will be split over 2 years.

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Modules

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

Teaching English as a second language comes with a unique set of challenges. On this module, you will explore some of the possible dilemmas and decisions made in response to them. Our teaching draws from the latest research in second language acquisition and teaching, English language education and TESOL. Your learning will involve analysing this research and applying it to a lesson plan and the designing of learning materials that address contemporary issues. The themes and ideas that you’ll explore and in keeping with the University’s status as a University of Sanctuary.

Credits: 20

Compulsory module

On this module you will reflect on your professional development and consider what you have learnt. You will evaluate themes in linguistics and the skills you have gained throughout your degree. This will allow you to identify connections between what you have studied and your future ambitions. You will also develop your digital and written communication skills and study writing for different audiences. These are both transferable skills that employers look for when hiring for certain roles.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will examine regional varieties of British English. You will learn about lexical, morphological, syntactic, phonetic and phonological features of British accents and dialects. By the end of the module you will be able to complete an analytical description and comparison of social and regional accents.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will study how the public views language and consider the social and political issues surrounding these views. You will look at Standard English and ideas about correctness and consider public attitudes towards bilingualism and new language. You will also discuss taboo language and how attitudes can change because of technological developments.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will explore how children acquire language skills. We will introduce you to theories of child language acquisition, focusing specifically on how they develop speech sounds. Study the phonological processes seen in children and learn how these evolve into adult speech systems. You will also learn to use specialist language acquisition and acoustic analysis software.

Credits: 20

Optional module

On this module you will explore how language can be an indicator of different social and cultural identities, as well as contributing to the construction of these identities. You will apply skills you have learnt in previous modules in analysing spoken and written texts, and develop them further. This module gives you the chance to take an interdisciplinary approach to analysing the relationship between language, identity and culture. This means you might draw on other academic subject areas, such as sociology while studying.

Credits: 20

Optional module

This module is your introduction to speech and language disorders. You will start by studying typical speech and language development. You will then think about communication difficulties, developmental disorders and acquired disorders in both children and adults. You will learn about the clinical applications of linguistics and consider how clinical decisions can be made using different assessment types.

Credits: 40

Compulsory module

Your dissertation is your chance to take responsibility for your learning and conduct a piece of linguistic research on a topic you are passionate about. Your tutors will support you to refine your idea and encourage you to choose a topic that you enjoy and excel in. You will also attend 1 to 1 tutorials which will help you design and conduct your research and write up your findings.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning

We deliver your language and linguistics modules through:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops

Seminar groups usually have up to 30 students in a class.

You will usually study 3 modules per semester. Each normally has up to 3 hours of contact time per week. We schedule our taught sessions between 9:00am and 8:00pm, Monday to Friday.

In addition to taught sessions you can attend individual tutorials for each module as well as with your academic tutor. You will need to engage in independent study outside of your contact time. This could include preparing for seminars, reading around topics discussed in lectures and writing assignments.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Assessment

Assessment types vary from module to module. These might include:

  • Blog posts
  • Data analysis
  • Essays
  • Exams
  • Presentations
  • Research proposals
  • Reports

You will have opportunities for feedback on the work you do. This will help you to improve your writing and your academic abilities.

Career outcomes

Your future with a degree in English Language, Linguistics and TESOL

On this course you will build skills which are perfect for a career travelling the world with TESOL. You will leave with skills in communication, research, critical reasoning, analysis and more.

This degree could be the first step toward your career as a:

  • Academic librarian
  • Dictionary editor
  • Journalist
  • Librarian
  • Speech and language therapist
  • Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) teacher

Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.

You could also progress onto a postgraduate degree and take your learning even further.

Postgraduate degrees at York St John University

TESOL MA

PGCE at York St John University

Further your education and work towards a rewarding career in teaching by studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) after you graduate. For over 180 years, we have worked with enthusiastic individuals who want to shape the future of young people across both primary and secondary school settings. You'll spend a lot of time in schools, developing your practice by teaching. You will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status and become part of the well respected alumni of York St John educators.

Discover more about PGCE

Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.

Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

  • Employer events
  • LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
  • Workshops on application writing and interview skills
  • Work experience and volunteering opportunities
  • Personalised career advice

This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Minimum entry requirements

    104 UCAS Tariff points

    3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.

Calculate your UCAS Tariff points

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

This course is available with a foundation year

If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.

Liberal Arts foundation year

Mature Learners Entry Scheme

If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.

Mature entry offer scheme

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

Fees and funding

To study for an undergraduate degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK).

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be increased in line with inflation, prior to the start of each academic year, and subject to the fee cap set by the UK government. Such increases to fees will be at the Retail Price Index (RPI) forecast rate, as advised by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Office for Students. The only exception to this would be where government legislation deems otherwise.

If a rise in the tuition fee becomes necessary, we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible and we will explain the reason(s) for the increase. Any tuition fee increase will only be applied from the start of the next academic year and will not be applied 'in year'.

UK 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this course is:

  • £9,535 per year for full time study
  • £7,145 per year for the first 4 years if you study part time

These prices apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students

You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page:

Funding Opportunities

Placement year funding

If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.

Tuition fees

    UK 2025 entry £9,535 per year full time

    International 2025 entry £14,700 per year full time

International 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this course is £14,700 per year for full time study.

This price applies to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your degree:

International fees and funding

Additional costs and financial support

There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Study abroad

For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.

Accommodation and living costs

For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.

Financial help and support

Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses. 

For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.

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