For some, an interest in English begins with a novel that stays with them long after the final page. For others, it is the satisfaction of finding the right words, or helping someone gain the confidence to speak. Turning that interest into a profession takes more than fluency. It calls for an understanding of language, an ability to think critically and the skills to share that knowledge. At CINEC, the Bachelor of Arts in English programmes are designed to help students make that transition.
Taking an Interest Further
Lasantha Basnayake, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, explains that the programmes aim to develop professional knowledge and skills in English studies.
“The main objective of this programme is to produce graduates in English language with professional knowledge and skills,” he says.
Students can choose between the three-year Bachelor of Arts in English General degree and the four-year Bachelor of Arts Honours in English degree. There is also room for ambition to develop along the way: those entering the General programme may move to the Honours programme based on their performance in the first and second semesters.
According to Lasantha Basnayake, entry to the General programme requires a minimum of three passes at GCE Advanced Level or an equivalent qualification, including Edexcel and Cambridge in any subject stream. Those seeking direct admission to the Honours programme should have studied English at Advanced Level.
Language, Literature and the Classroom
The programmes bring together three areas: English language and linguistics, literature in English, and Teaching English as a Second Language/TESL and each component opens a different window onto the subject. Language and linguistics encourage students to examine how English works. Literature invites them to explore ideas and interpretations through texts. TESL connects that knowledge to the practice of helping others learn.
In fact, for a student hoping to enter education, this combination offers a foundation that reaches beyond proficiency in English to an understanding of how it can be taught.
Making Space for Study
For those already working, returning to the classroom can depend as much on a timetable as on enthusiasm. Therefore, CINEC offers separate weekday and weekend groups, giving students options for fitting a degree around existing commitments. Moreover, as Lasantha Basnayake shares, a student who misses a weekend lecture is allowed to cover the session with the weekday group.
What makes the degree quite significant is the top-tier academic staff in the Department of English. Apart from the internal lecturers, contributions from state university academics and resource persons with international experience are also a part of the teaching process.
Where the Degree Can Lead
The possibilities for graduates of this degree become clearer in the experiences of the alumni. Over approximately a decade, the Associate Dean, Lasantha Basnayake estimates that between 800 and 1,000 students have completed the programmes. He points to graduates teaching in government and private institutions, working as lecturers in state universities and establishing educational institutions of their own. He reports full employment among graduates, including those who are self-employed.
On the other hand, the academic journey can continue, too. According to Lasantha Basnayake, both programmes are approved by the Ministry of Education and recognised by the University Grants Commission, with opportunities for graduates to pursue postgraduate studies locally and internationally.
For students considering their next step, these pathways give an interest in English a practical direction. A love of reading, an aptitude for language or an ambition to teach can become the starting point for a career and a reason to keep learning.
