Teaching in the department

We are committed to high quality teaching - we like our students to have access to our research through our courses. New ideas and developments feed directly into what our students learn, and we are keen on developing the many kinds of teaching that we use. The 2014 Complete University Guide ranks us top in the North West for Linguistics and in the top 10 in the UK.  In terms of student satisfaction we are rated top in the North West and joint third overall.  For employability we are rated top in the North West and joint fourth overall.

Teaching on our programmes

On all taught programmes - BA, MA and PhD - we use a range of teaching methods: lectures, seminars and workshops. BA Modules normally combine weekly lectures and linked seminars (groups of up to 15).

Computers and information technology related to language are used on many modules, and our BA and distance MA and PhD programmes also use web-based modes of teaching and learning, including innovative and involving uses of our Virtual Learning Environment. 

Coursework is a key element linking teaching, learning and assessment, and takes a variety of forms: data analysis, written assignments, research projects, in-class presentations, posters, assessed exercises, portfolios and dissertations.

Our staff

Our full-time teaching staff come from a variety of backgrounds, and cover a wide range of specialisms and interests. All are experienced university-level teachers and all full-time teaching staff hold Ph.D. degrees.

We are proud that several of our colleagues have received awards for their teaching. Jane Sunderland is a National Teaching Fellow. Willem Hollmann (right) won the University Pilkington Teaching Prize and the annual Lancaster University student nominated teaching prize, with Jonathan Culpeper specially commended. These awards reflect qualities of innovation, commitment, attention to students' learning and to maximising their learning opportunities.

Student Representation

Representatives of all student groups from the various BA, MA and PhD degree programmes are elected directly onto the relevant Departmental committees (Departmental Board, and Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies Committee), enabling them to participate in our monitoring and decision-making processes.