Study TESOL or Linguistics in the UK

What is TESOL?

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A wide variety of TESOL qualifications are available, from short intensive courses lasting a few weeks to postgraduate diplomas and degrees. TESOL students are trained in the latest teaching methods and may also conduct independent linguistic research as part of their studies.

What is Linguistics?

Linguistics is the scientific study of language; in particular, its development throughout human history, how it is acquired by children and non-native speakers, how language functions, and the ways in which it can shape human relations. Many major UK universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in linguistics and many universities, colleges and private institutions offer courses in the related fields of Translation and TESOL.

Why Study TESOL or Linguistics?

A TESOL qualification can open the doors to employment in any part of the world where there is demand for English, while studying Linguistics or Translation at a UK university will give you a great starting point for any career involving cross-cultural communication. Linguistics teaches you how to analyse communicative acts at the most fundamental level and appreciate the differences between cultural norms of communication. Just as importantly, Linguistics will help you develop a rigorous scientific method that can be applied to any field of work. While the study of TESOL or Applied Linguistics often leads to a career in language teaching, the study of Linguistics more generally will help you develop skills valued by multinational companies, including:

Communicative skills
Analytical skills
Scientific method
Cross-cultural awareness
Translation/Foreign language skills

Why Study TESOL or Linguistics at a UK University?

There are numerous very good reasons for choosing to study TESOL or Linguistics at a UK university rather than elsewhere in the world. First of all, the UK has a longer history of university education than any other English-speaking country, with the oldest institutions dating back around one thousand years. This means that students of TESOL or Linguistics at a UK university will have access to the best quality education available, with UK universities consistently ranking in the world top 100. Secondly, for those interested in a career in English teaching, the UK annually welcomes a huge number of overseas learners of English to its language schools, therefore employment opportunities are excellent for graduates of a UK university TESOL or Applied Linguistics course who wish to remain in the UK. Finally, UK courses are very well-constructed, allowing the student to complete a Bachelors degree in three years (compared to four years in the US) and a Masters degree in one year (compared to two years in the US). What this means for the student is that graduates of a TESOL or Linguistics degree from a UK university save huge and valuable amounts of both time and money.

Which careers can the study of TESOL or Linguistics lead to?

After graduating from a TESOL or Linguistics course at a UK university you will have a huge range of employment opportunities. In an increasingly globalised world, demand for linguists’ skills is on the increase. Translation and interpreting are specialised fields of Linguistics that can lead to a rewarding career in business, administration or the arts. Professional linguists are also employed as researchers, educational consultants, speech pathologists and speech therapists. Of course, foreign language teaching, particularly TESOL, is a huge global industry that offers employment opportunities coupled with fantastic travel experiences. In any profession, an employer will value a UK university TESOL or Linguistics graduate’s analytical skills and cross-cultural expertise.