Introduction
Given the significance of language in human communication and appreciation of diverse cultures, as well as the popularity of English as a foreign language in Iran, English Language Studies was established more than 3 decades ago. This program paves the way for its graduates to enter the market in several different positions and to contribute to the advancement of their society either through their careers or social entrepreneurship. More than advancing their knowledge of English, the program prepares students for working and serving their communities as English instructors, translators, test designers, literary critics, researchers, writers, and international employees.
Besides English language competencies and core values, the program mainly focuses on four broad branches to nurture the distinct potentials of each student toward their further growth. These branches are linguistics, literature and translation. Like many other B.A. programs in an EFL/ESL context, this program includes instruction in a second foreign language, namely French. There are also courses preparing students for academic writing and conducting research.
Vision
Students in the English Language Studies program can choose as their focus several branches of English studies. As a program that aims at bringing about coherence among the students’ individual growth and their contribution to social advancement, this program is centered on equipping students with the knowledge and capabilities required to continue their studies after graduation and to serve Iranian society through educating people in a most-internationally-used language, writing and communicating constructive ideas in English, and/or applying/teaching analytical thinking.
Mission
The B.A. program in English Language Studies (ELS) is intended to graduate knowledgeable and service-oriented professionals who can effectively utilize their English proficiency and knowledge to further develop their own intellectual and spiritual potentials through graduate-level education and through a career in teaching and testing English capability, translation, literary criticism, creative writing, or other related businesses, and who can creatively and responsibly contribute to the advancement of their society.
Goals and Objectives
The English Language Studies Program, in its first four semesters, seeks to improve, expand, and consolidate the general competence and performance of the students who are in an EFL context to an advanced level in English language to prepare and enable them to commence and pursue their academic studies over the next five semesters.
This bachelor level program focuses on three areas: (1) literature, in which the students become familiar with classical to contemporary literature in English from across the globe, (2) linguistics, in which students become familiar with the basics of theoretical linguistics and increase their capabilities in teaching English, and (3) translation, in which students master translation of English texts in different subjects from translation of lyrics to news articles.
Admission
Admission is open to all graduates of high schools or alternative high-school-level accredited programs. The students take a written exam, followed by an oral interview, upon successful completion of which they enter the program. Applicants with grades higher than 60 (post-intermediate and above) will be admitted directly to the program, while those with grades lower than 60 and higher than 40 will be required to pass a Foundation Year Program consisting of the following 18 credit hours of college level courses to enhance their English from pre-intermediate to post-intermediate level before taking the first semester courses:
- ELS0100: Strategic Reading 1 (3 Credit Hours)
- ELS0102: Active Listening 1 (3 Credit Hours)
- ELS0101: Strategic Reading 2 (3 Credit Hours)
- ELS0103: Active Listening 2 (3 Credit Hours)
- ELS0105: Grammar in Practice 2 (3 Credit Hours)
Curriculum
The following summarizes the course requirements:
- Required courses: 55 courses of 2 - 3 credit hours each, with 16 to 18 credit hours taken each semester, for a total of 141credit hours.
- Supervised Project: a 4 credit-hour course, chosen from three options: literature, linguistics, or research.