Wider perspectives and more options for English Language and Linguistics students: employability development across the UK

Jeanine Treffers-Daller and Jeanette Sakel (UWE Bristol)

Why this study?• Low confidence in the graduate employment

market among students (High Flyers, 2010)• Growing numbers of school leavers are

applying directly to companies (Guardian, August 2010)

• Need to integrate employability training into HE courses

• Raise awareness among staff/students

Questions• First destinations of UK graduates of

Linguistics or English Language (DLHE)• Examples of good practice in helping

students to prepare for the world of work • Students’ and graduates’ evaluation of

knowledge and skills received/needed.

Methods

• DLHE Sample of 11 universities that offer Linguistics or English Language

• Focus group sessions with current students (Manchester and UWE Bristol)

• Interviews with graduates from Manchester, Newcastle, Sussex and Westminster and UWE Bristol.

• high level transferrable skills in graduates are more important than specialist subject knowledge (HE Academy: employability conference/ June 2011