A BA English degree which offers a lot more

If you are considering studying a BA in English, then why not consider a degree which incorporates a TEFL certificate? This will provide you with a vocational qualification, teaching experience and potentially a means of earning a salary while you are a student. Here teflhub interviews Dr Roberts from Cardiff Metropolitan University and Dr Chick from the University of South Wales to find out more.

1  Why should a student choose to study an English degree with the incorporated CELTA/TESOL qualification?

Dr Roberts answered, “Students at Cardiff Metropolitan University have a range of options in studying for the BA (Joint Hons) English Language Teaching (ELT) degrees, all of which incorporate the Cambridge CELTA Course in the second year. As the degrees are Joint Honours they can choose to study English Language Teaching and English, which offers a combination of focussed English language theory and practical teacher training with the study of English Literature, offering a combination of language and literature. Another very popular option is English Language Teaching and Education Studies, which combines ELT with theoretical aspects of Education in the UK and abroad; this is particularly good for graduates who may wish to work in ELT in the UK, perhaps in English as an Additional Language (EAL) roles in mainstream UK education or in private / international schools around the world. Thirdly, as of 2017, we are offering English Language Teaching and Primary Education Studies, which provides graduates with a working knowledge of pedagogical aspects of developing  young learners, both in the UK and in International Schools that follow the UK curriculum.

“The incorporation of the CELTA is extremely beneficial to students who can graduate with a good Honours Degree, as well as the most widely recognised Initial English Language Teaching Certificate in the world. This is exactly the profile that many potential employers in various regions around the world, including the Gulf (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Dubai) and East Asia (Korea and Japan) are looking for. The benefits of having the CELTA in the second year are that students can look for summer work in the break between years two and three, which students have said is better than the usual Erasmus opportunities that universities provide, as they are being paid for the experience that they are getting. Another benefit is that our third year allows students to focus on higher level aspects of ELT, such as English for Academic Purposes and syllabus design; aspects that people holding CELTA certificates usually work towards if they are interested in Director of Studies jobs in private language schools or working in Higher Education based Pre-sessional and Foundation degrees, having taken research within the discipline of ELT. This also prepares them well for the MA Education: TESOL degrees that we run.”

Dr Chick responded, “Dave - I would argue that a student should choose a university award that enables  them to graduate not only with a BA degree but ALSO with a teaching certificate (not  CELTA) that allows them to gain employment across the globe. We currently have graduates working in over a dozen countries - in posts secured by their USW TESOL Certificate. What's more, studying to be an ELT teacher as part of an English degree is completely free - there are no additional costs.”

2  What do students find most challenging about the course?

Dr Chick said, “No doubt the teaching practice, conducted at the Welsh Refugee Council is both the most challenging AND rewarding part of the course, as these final year student reports, testify:

‘My only thoughts having now reached the end of the WRC teaching practicum is I am unable to imagine the TESOL course without the WRC. It is an invaluable experience to begin the lifelong journey of teaching and in such a unique and rewarding environment.’

‘In comparison with those who study TEFL/ESL outside of the University environment with no support from such an experience, the contrast is stark. Without realisation, after teaching at the WRC we are perhaps more equipped and geared to take the first step into teaching independently in a classroom than we think. It is enough to that I would recommend the USW TESOL course to anyone who wishes to enter the world of teaching.’"

Dr Roberts answered, “There are a lot of challenges for students on the course, sometimes they feel that they are a little out of place teaching adult learners at the age of 19, the strict guidelines of the CELTA course and using innovative teaching techniques that do not reflect their ‘apprenticeships’ through high school are just a few. However, the rewards of overcoming these challenges are quickly realised and the freedom that qualifying with an excellent set of transferrable skills that will make them employable anywhere in the world is a much greater payoff. Some students find that when they complete the second year, their patience is then challenged as they are very keen to get travelling the world and working to support themselves. I’m always keen to remind them that ‘surviving’ the third year can be tempered by their taking local part-time jobs in the field, which allow them to further develop their teaching and save more money for their adventures than the usual student jobs, such as bar or shop work.”

3  Do those who choose TEFL as a vocation after graduating find work easily?

Dr Roberts responded, “Yes. While we have not had ELT graduates leaving the university, due to the course being set up in 2015, we have run TESOL modules and CELTA Courses for students for many years and the students who have graduated from these courses now write to me from jobs in Dubai, Spain, Vietnam, Korea and plenty of other exciting locations. Many graduates from other disciplines are somewhat constrained by language barriers when looking at employment opportunities outside the UK. Our graduates from English Language Teaching degrees have the opportunity to work without those barriers and constraints and so the whole world opens up to the regardless of their knowledge of other languages, plus they have the golden opportunity to learn other languages while they are working. Even students who are less consumed by wanderlust can find work supporting their local communities in ESOL classes as well as in local language schools. This strand of social justice is another hugely satisfying aspect of working in ELT.”

Dr Chick answered, “Yes - the global demand for qualified teachers of English continues to soar. As stated above, our graduates are teaching all over the world. We also have close contacts with a number of educational organisations in Spain, Thailand and Hong Kong and have sent a number of graduates to these locations over the past few years. It is worth noting that the TESOL element of an English degree is also extremely valuable for those students looking to enter mainstream teaching through doing a PGCE. The Teaching Practice provides ideal preparation for a PGCE and each year helps a number of graduates secure PGCE places. As one recent graduate reflected: 

‘The teachers at my school have commented that I began the placement as a teacher rather than a student teacher which is completely down to the TESOL practicum.’”

If you would like to find out more about these excellent courses, then click here for Cardiff Metropolitan University and here for the University of South Wales.