The University is enhancing the opportunities it provides for you to broaden and enrich your studies through a new system of electives in single-honours subjects. Most subjects across the arts, sciences and social sciences are offering electives, the exceptions being where professional-body requirements do not provide sufficient space within the curriculum (eg law, accountancy, engineering). Under the electives system, you will be able to choose to spend 25 per cent of your time in your first and second year on a range of subjects.
Electives will either be offered as stand-alone modules you choose to broaden or enrich your studies, or as a specific named pathway over Years 1 and 2 (a series of electives that together make up a coherent strand of learning; see also Modern languages electives). If you choose a pathway from the start of your course and successfully complete the electives, you will be able to have this recorded on your final degree certificate and transcript – giving added value to your studies and showing the skills and knowledge you have developed at Sussex.
English Language Teaching elective pathway
The ELT pathway provides a comprehensive and rigorous introduction to the principles of effective language teaching. Students will gain a wide range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners, and will receive valuable hands-on teaching experience in live classes with volunteer students. Students successfully completing all four modules comprising the elective pathway may be eligible for a professional qualification (the Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in addition to the formal designation with English Language Teaching on their degree certificate. This qualification will significantly enhance your employability and future opportunities as a graduate.
Introduction to English Language Teaching and Learning
This free-standing elective module provides students with an introduction to the social, political, linguistic and pedagogic issues involved in English language teaching and learning, and explores the principles and practice of a range of methods and approaches. A key component of the course is the ab initio study of an unknown natural language.
The module is available in the spring term to first and second year students.
Second Language Acquisition
This free-standing elective module offers an overview of various perspectives on how second or foreign languages are learnt. Linguistic, psychological and social models of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) are examined, along with some of the implications for our broader understanding of the nature of language and communication. Applications for language teaching and learning are considered, in both naturalistic contexts and classroom settings.
The module is available in the autumn term to second year students.
English as an International Language
This free-standing elective module addresses current issues around the spread and use of English in various forms and for diverse purposes around the world. The increasingly international profile of the language, its learners and teachers is reflected in higher education, business and research, and raises challenging questions. Linguistic issues of standards, variation and models are considered, as well as more socio-cultural aspects relating to language and identity, lingua franca communication, multilingualism, intercultural competence, technology and language education policy.
The module is available in the spring term to second year students.