Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature (BAELL) program acquire knowledge and skills in English-language teaching (TESOL) and pedagogy, as well as linguistics, critical analysis, translation studies, and English, American and world literature. The main strands of the program – TESOL, Linguistics, and Literature – each focus on different learning outcomes, but all can be applied to the wider market of language teaching and education.
- View the online course catalog for the Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature program
About the Program
The Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature program combines research-based teaching and a strong emphasis on engaged, experiential learning. We offer the best of the small department—its focus on the individual student and a passionate commitment to teaching—together with the varied range of courses that is the privilege of larger institutions.
Strengths of the Program
Students in the program benefit from:
- A choice of three different areas of study in English Language and Literature: linguistics, literature and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- Ability to earn a minor in areas such as Sustainability, Psychology, Theater, Τranslation or a double major in any of the University’s other degree programs.
- Exposure to faculty actively involved with research and with broad professional experience in their fields of expertise.
- Faculty mentoring and personal support for your academic and professional development of each student.
- Opportunity to earn European-recognized certification as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language.
- A very flexible class schedule, with afternoon, evening and e-learning courses to accommodate students’ work schedules.
- Career counseling and networking opportunities through the Career Development Office during and after your studies.
Majors, Minors & Degree Requirements
You will need to complete a total of 40 courses including a Practicum (121 credits) to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature degree. Full-time students may complete the program in 8 semesters, while part-time students will need between 5 and 8 years to complete their degree, depending on the number of courses taken each semester. An academic year includes two semesters, each semester running for 15 weeks.
Strands in the English Language and Literature Degree Program
Students may choose to focus their students in one of the following strands:
- Linguistics (areas of concentration include discourse analysis and sociolinguistics)
- Literature (areas of concentration include international literature, film studies, cultural theory, and creative writing)
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; methodologies and pedagogy)
Minors for BAELL Students
In addition to the courses you take for the major in English Language and Literature you can select courses to earn a minor in one of several fields:
- Psychology
- Communication
- Translation
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Business
Please consult the catalog for information on minors in other degree programs.
Research & Professional Development
The BAELL program provides opportunities to participate in ongoing faculty-student research projects in areas such as bilingualism, environment and civic engagement, literature and crisis, as well as support for students to pursue their own research interests. Other opportunities for hands-on learning include:
- Participation in the Annual Student Research Conference.
- Capstone research project: a supervised final dissertation in the area of Literature, Linguistics, or TESOL.
- Participation in special workshops and seminars in poetry, creative writing and academic writing, led by invited speakers from the United States and Europe.
- Opportunity to study in the United States through the University’s Study Abroad programs.
- Students in the TESOL strand do their practice teaching in live EFL classrooms under the guidance of experienced teacher trainers.
Professional Certifications
For students interested in becoming teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), the Hellenic American University’s BAELL degree program provides excellent pre-service education. Students have the opportunity to earn a Diploma in TESOL and European-recognized certification as teachers of English as a Foreign Language.