Exploring the English language
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| 7 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
The English language has always been a diverse and dynamic topic. This interdisciplinary course will be relevant to anyone interested in a broad range of questions about English, whether for professional or personal reasons. Is the influence of English worldwide cause for celebration or concern? What are the origins of the language and how has it changed in response to social, cultural and technological developments? How do children and adults learn English? How can English be analysed? What is the basis for our judgements about 'good' and 'bad' English? You will investigate these and many other issues through a combination of computer-based resources and course books.
Course content
By studying this course, you’ll gain:
- an understanding of the history of English and its development as a global language
- a critical appreciation of contemporary uses of English in a range of social contexts
- conceptual frameworks for the study of linguistic phenomena in a range of social contexts
- opportunities to analyse spoken, written and multi-modal English
- a perspective on your own English language experiences, including developing aspects of your own communication skills.
For the core study for the course, you’ll be using a combination of two interactive study-guide DVD-ROMs (PC necessary) and four course books. The DVD-ROMs contain exercises designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of key terms and concepts in language description and investigation, as well as illustrations and discussions of the diversity of English language practices across the globe.
The four course books are:
- Changing English (edited by D. Graddol, D.Leith, J. Swann, M. Rhys & J. Gillen)
- Using English (edited by J. Maybin, N. Mercer & A. Hewings)
- Learning English (edited by N. Mercer, J.Swann & B. Mayor)
- Redesigning English (edited by S. Goodman, D. Graddol & T. Lillis)
You’ll also receive three DVDs containing related audio-visual material to view on your television.
Entry
Exploring the English Language is a Level 2 course so you should have some experience of Level 1 study gained either with The Open University or by doing equivalent work at another university.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
This course requires access to a PC with DVD drive (internal or external) and an internet connection. You should make sure your computer meets the specification below, and that you have an internet service provider (ISP).
You may wish to read some works from English language studies before starting this course. We recommend:
David Crystal (2004) The Stories of English. London: Allen Lane.
David Graddol (2006) English Next. London : British Council. This book is available to download from British Council Learning.
Qualifications
U211 is a compulsory course in our
- Diploma in English Language Studies (D54)
- BA (Honours) Language Studies (B21)
- BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies (B30)
- BA (Honours) English Language and Literature (B39)
U211 is an optional course in our
- BA (Honours) Humanities (B03)
- BA (Honours) Humanities (B03) (with English Language)
- BA (Honours) Literature (B02)
- BA/BSc (Honours) European Studies (B10)
- Advanced Diploma in Language and Literacy (D19)
- Advanced Diploma in Applied Linguistics (D57)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is suitable for a BA and is part of our Advanced Diploma in Education programme. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request and the printed material is available with a comb binding. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course website with assignment book and techphonetic font to download, plus supplementary and updated study material; online conferencing with your tutor; 2 DVD-ROMS; resource and reference materials, three DVDs including The Adventure of English; and the four course books.
You will need
TV and DVD player (optional).
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material, mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. For the first few weeks of the course you will be online with your tutor and student group in order to carry out the first assignment (eTMA 01). We might also be able to offer group tutorials or day-schools. We encourage you to attend these, but they are not compulsory. Where tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2010 and February 2011. We expect it to be available twice a year, in February and October.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Arts and Humanities and Languages.
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Student Reviews
This course was utterly fascinating and very interesting. Starting with the very birth of the English language and tracing its ...
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On the whole I enjoyed the course but given it was my first OU course in 6 years it was ...
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