Language and the secondary school curriculum: opportunities for and obstacles to learning for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in UK schools. (Advert Ref: RDF18/HUM/HALL)

This PhD level project will investigate empirically how students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and their teachers navigate the secondary level mainstream UK curriculum from the perspective of the students’ English language abilities and needs, the curriculum’s requirements, and the teachers’ pedagogical use of language. The precise focus of study is dependent upon candidates’ specific interests and expertise and is open to negotiation.

The study will address the uncertainties and complexity of teaching and learning from the perspective of the students and their teachers, with a focus on language, specifically EAL. It will be centred on the relationship between teacher, learner, and learning materials, and may investigate emergent strategies for overcoming barriers that hinder learning, as well as new methods for creating learning opportunities to enable a more accessible curriculum. It may also examine the role of specific linguistic features, such as metaphor, or other types of figurative language, in the EAL classroom. The study may include a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

The successful candidate will undertake PhD level study, working in tandem with similar research currently being undertaken by Graham Hall and Sarah Duffy, as well as associated PhD students in the Institute of Humanities at Northumbria University.
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/humanities/research/english-research/english-language-and-linguistics/

It is expected that candidates will have a background in Education, Applied Linguistics and/or Linguistics.

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers