MODULE B: English Language, Society and Context
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Objective
To give students an understanding of the role and functions of English language in society
and the ways in which spoken and written texts are interpreted in different contexts.
Aims
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To develop knowledge of issues surrounding English language use in society
To develop critical awareness of the relationship between the linguistic features of
the English language and the social context at both micro and macro levels
To understand, discuss and explore concepts relating to English language in use
To be able to carry out a mini-investigation into English language in use,
communicating clearly the knowledge, understanding, and insight appropriate to the
study of language
To encourage students to develop and enrich their English language and skills
through the analysis and discussion of set texts, both written and oral
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students:
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will have a critical knowledge of the interplay between English language and society
will be able to analyse texts for evidence to support the above knowledge
will be familiar with some simple research techniques for investigating English in use
Topics covered include:
Evolving English
World Englishes
Language change
Social varieties and accents of English
English and gender
Power and politeness
English in the global community
Key reading
Selections from the following:
Aitchison, J. (2001) Language Change: Progress or Decay? 3rd ed. Cambridge,
Cambridge University Press.
Cameron, D. (2000) Good To Talk: Living and Working in a Communication Culture.
London: Sage.
Coupland, N. and Jaworski, A. (2009) The New Sociolinguistics Reader. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Holmes, J. (2008) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 2nd ed. London: Longman.
Jones, R.H. (2012) Discourse Analysis: A Resource Book for Students (Routledge
English Language Introductions) London: Routledge.
Litosseliti, L. (2006) Gender and Language: Theory and Practice. London: Hodder
Arnold.
Wells, J.C. (2006) English Intonation: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Module B Syllabus
N.b. Reading and listening texts are available online via Moodle. Accompanying worksheets
can also be made available electronically.
Language Support sessions involve substantial vocabulary development work in addition to
the skills and activities outlined below. Written homework can be set as a follow-up to
sessions.
CONTENT LECTURE TOPIC
Evolving English
English around the World
Language Change
Social Varieties of English
English and Gender
Power and Politeness
LANGUAGE SUPPORT - 1
Reading: jigsaw reading, a set
of texts on English in different
periods; students summarise
significant points
Vocabulary: (pre-lecture)
definitions of key terms.
Reading: text on Esperanto (as
lingua franca). Simple roleplay: dialogue in Esperanto
Study of some key words from
the lecture which have
changed meaning. Speaking:
student presentations of some
‘word histories’. OED list of
recent words.
Reading and writing:
journalistic text, highly
informal. Students rewrite into
formal style – focus on
nominalisation
Reading: D Cameron article.
Pre-reading T/F Qs. Reading
and discussion.
In-class support for students in
composing the Discourse
completion Tasks for their
research projects.
LANGUAGE SUPPORT - 2
Presentation skills (for future
term): practice
Speaking: presentations and
discussions of recent informal
conversations, with terms of
address (compared with L1)
Reading: study of language
change on Martha’s Vineyard
Jigsaw reading: texts on
influences on English from
different languages
Speaking: presentations of
varieties of English identified
recently
Reading and listening: text and
video clip on street
harassment. Discussion: the
nature of compliments
Analysing Speech Acts
English in the Digital Age
Reading: research article on
several speech acts (and
gender) – jigsaw reading,
reporting to whole group
Reading: sample of a short
Research Report for 2013
group, as model for students.
Listening: clip of D Crystal on
texting.
Reading and discussion: ‘Being
Polite as a Variable in Speech’
Final Presentations: Research
Projects
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