• Who is this programme for?
• Aims and objectives
• Additional information

This programme encourages deeper understanding of the values, theories, and assumptions underpinning research in the field of language in education. Students are encouraged to reflect on their attitudes towards language as a mechanism for social and educational inclusion and exclusion. The programme offers practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds an opportunity to consider the research in their own area of language interest as well as in other, broader contexts, which can be reflected in their own research studies.

Who is this programme for?

This EdD programme has been designed with the needs of professionals working in the field of language and communication in education. This includes those who have specialist responsibilities for language at LEA level as well as in primary and secondary schools, such as Advisers, Language and/or Literacy Co-ordinators, EAL teachers and practitioners in multilingual schools; also those involved with learners who have language and communication difficulties and disability, such as specialist language/literacy support teachers, speech and language therapists, psychologists, and teachers of the deaf. The programme is designed for home and overseas applicants.

Aims and Objectives

The four subject modules in this EdD programme offer a broad and balanced approach to the study of language, particularly in educational contexts, from theoretical and practical perspectives. The students will be expected to:

• develop an understanding of the meaning, theory and practice of language and across spoken, written and non-verbal aspects, in a variety of educational, social and cultural contexts,
• acquire knowledge and expertise in a range of research methods;
• develop a critical perspective on theoretical and methodological issues in researching language in educational contexts broadly and specifically in their chosen area;
• design and undertake an investigation of their chosen research area in negotiation with their supervisor, with due regard to ethical and practical considerations;
• develop the investigation to its conclusion through writing, discussion, seminars and papers with the aim of publication;
• contribute to the professional culture through individual investigation which makes an original contribution to the chosen field.

Additional Information

Modules

Language and Learning

This module develops a critical approach to theories, research and practice which explore the relationship between language and learning (spoken, written and non-verbal), language in the curriculum, and language and cognition. It critically evaluates approaches to teaching and intervention in the particular contexts of first and second language acquisition, multilingual classrooms, English as an additional language, modern foreign languages and difficulties in language and communication.

Language and Literacies

This module critically explores contemporary theoretical, empirical and pedagogic approaches to understanding the relationship between language and literacies, both within and beyond school. It includes critical literacy studies, the politics of literacy, media literacy and alternative ways of conceptualizing literacy as well as psycholinguistic approaches and approaches to difficulties the development of literacy skills. Definitions of literacy in the curriculum and more generally in domains of practice are explored critically throughout.

Language, Culture and Diversity

The relationship between language and society is critically explored through the contemporary literature and research. The diversity of language is examined including language variation, bilingualism and signing and deaf culture. Issues around language and identity will be explored. From an international perspective ideas in the area of world Englishes, language planning and linguistic rights are critically evaluated.

Language Practices

Discourses and language practices are the focus of this module. Participants will critically evaluate theories, issues and current thinking and research concerning critical discourse analysis, textual discourse, institutional discourse, the media, and the discourse of disability, in both spoken and written forms.

Researching Language

The aim of this module is to enable students to focus their proposed research questions and relate these questions to methodological choices. To inform this process, participants will be presented with and develop critical understanding of research approaches, procedures and analyses used in studies investigating aspects of language in educational contexts.