The Linguistics programme offers a broad range of courses that combine both theoretical and practical approaches. It includes the following areas of study: language structure and pronunciation, first and second language acquisition, the role of language in society, the meaning of words and the use of language, the place of language in the human mind and the history of thinking about language. It also incorporates the subject of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

Intercultural Communication focuses on verbal communication, highlighting cultural differences in language use and the possible causes of miscommunication across cultures. The programme also selects a range of modules from the Linguistics Field.

Professional Communication aims to explore verbal communication in a professional context with a range of Linguistics modules.

Post-colonial Studies
The course examines the nature and the effect of the colonial experience on a wide range of societies. The approach is multi-disciplinary: modules introduce subjects such as colonial and post-colonial history, immigration and multi-culturalism, varieties of English and representation of class, race and gender.

Contemporary English Language Studies (CELS) is designed especially for the non-native speaker of the English language in mind. Therefore it incorporates a ‘core’ of carefully sequenced and compulsory EFL modules. The other ‘option’ modules are taken from the Linguistics programme where CELS students study together with other non-native and British students.

Students whose level of English is not yet high enough to enter the three-year programme can register for a foundation year: CELS Level 0. This takes the student from roughly Cambridge FCE to CAE or Luton Exam levels 6 to 8. Students only able to come for one or two years can study for a Certificate (one year) or a Diploma (two years) in Higher Education. The course will, therefore, be of interest to students on exchange programmes. CELS provides opportunities to study vocational courses such as Business and Professional Communication.

International Foundation Courses
The International Foundation Course in Business provides EFL and Business modules and is designed as a one year foundation programme for students wishing to go on to a Business degree. Similar ICFs prepare students for Humanities and Science degrees.

TEFL. The University of Luton is one of the largest centres for TEFL training in Britain. We offer high quality teaching, friendly atmosphere and excellent facilities including a well stocked library and a Computer Centre with full listening and CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) facilities. Courses:

* a four week intensive course in July (University of Luton Certificate in TEFL)
* Trinity Certificate in TESOL: a two-year course. (Places on this programme are limited due to the requirements of teaching practice. Interviews are arranged)
* TEFL Minor - six undergraduate modules taken over three years to complement a Major Degree.

English as a Foreign Language
This is available at 3 levels: Intermediate, Higher Intermediate and Advanced. Students can come for one or two semesters and there is also a Summer School. Advanced students can take ‘option ‘ modules from the undergraduate programmes and study alongside British students.

MA Applied Linguistics (TEFL) is a postgraduate course for native and non-native speakers of English. It focuses on topics such as the language systems and their teaching, language in use, the methodology of Language Teaching, current issues in TEFL and teaching practice.

MA Intercultural Communication offers the topics of the undergraduate degree at a higher level.

Department of Linguistics
The Department brings together specialist staff with interests in theoretical and applied linguistics, the role of the English language in the modern world, international and intercultural communication and English as a foreign language. There are three main research groups within the Department: 1) Language acquisition, 2) Pragmatics and Discourse 3) Post-Colonial Studies. In the Higher Education Funding Council of England assessment the Department obtained a rating of 21 out of the total of 24 points with ‘excellent’ in teaching and learning, in learning resources and in quality assurance. The Department fosters a lively working environment which is reflected in the recent hosting of three major international conferences. There are a number of collaborative research projects in progress. The Department is the first university in Britain to offer a BA honours degree in Intercultural Communication, and is one of only three British universities running courses in the history of linguistics.

We are a lively, modern university offering 15,000 students a wide range of flexible, career-oriented programmes and a top quality teaching environment. A diverse selection of subjects are taught by four faculties: Health Care and Social Studies, Humanities, Science Technology and Design and Luton Business School. Awards on offer range from NVQ’, HNDs, and foundation courses to degrees, postgraduate and research qualifications.
Main characteristics of the University of Luton: impressive teaching standards, pioneering modular education, state-of-the-art environment, focus on employers’ needs, welcoming of all nationalities, increasing access to higher education and lively social life.