English Language The Open University UK

Overview

Within this English Language DipHE from The Open University UK , you’ll learn what distinguishes machine language from human language and how people adapt and change their ways of communicating in multilingual and multicultural contexts. You’ll investigate how language works from the smallest units of sounds, through words, conversations and written texts. You’ll also explore English as a creative medium to express humour, thoughts and emotions. It’s not, however, designed to teach English to speakers of other languages.

Key facts:

• Explores the history of English, its contemporary diversity, its role as a global language and use in various parts of the world.

• Engages in debates surrounding the historical and contemporary position of English in relation to other languages.

• Teaches strategies that promote critical analysis and evaluation of texts, and an ability to reflect on your own language use.

• Develops you as a competent communicator, enhancing your employability.

• Reveals how the English language works, and how the choice of words and grammar affect the message.

Career opportunities:

Study of the English language requires an understanding of the diverse national and cultural environments in which it is used and the historical and political circumstances around its development and spread around the world. The breadth of study and understanding of social, cultural and political influences on communicative contexts creates critical global citizens able to evaluate information relevant to a variety of national and international interactions. This make this qualification relevant to a wide variety of careers, including:

• Public administration, local government, the civil service, and social services.
• Advertising, journalism, publishing, creative industries and public relations.
• Education.
• Legal work.
• Business, banking and retail.
• Human resources.
• Charities and campaigning.