Language and literacy in education

Qualifications Duration Start dates Application period
PhD or Professional doctorate PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
October November to January
Qualifications
PhD or Professional doctorate
Duration
PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
Start dates
October
Application period
November to January

Researchers in the in the School of Languages and Applied linguistics bring socially oriented perspectives on language to the study of learning and teaching. Their work deploys a wide range of theoretical approaches, including theories of language and literacy as social practice, multimodality and systemic functional linguistics.

Projects include: investigation of language and literacy use in primary classroom settings; studies of students’ writing at all levels of higher education; exploration of higher education assessment and feedback practices; investigation of online and distance learning and teaching; trans- and multilingualism in education (see Language Learning, Teaching and Assessment) and English as a Medium of Instruction (see Language Policy). Researchers use a range of methods, often in combination, including microanalysis of interactions, discourse analysis, corpus analysis and ethnographically principled and participatory research. The School has a track record of producing successful small-scale, in-depth research alongside large international projects.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and an MA or research methods training at MA level (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

  • The analysis of educational dialogues in formal and informal settings
  • The technological mediation of learning and teaching
  • The use of multimodal environments for language learning and teaching
  • Teaching and learning across the disciplines
  • Ethnographies of educational settings 
  • Studies of social justice and/or peace in literacy education
  • Projects involving participatory and practitioner research in educational settings 
  • The role of the UK’s indigenous languages in the education landscape 
  • The development of multilingual pedagogies for 21st century UK education 

Current/recent research projects

  • Gesture: multimodal learner interaction via videoconferencing on mobile devices in a framework of negotiation of meaning
  • An exploratory study of the teaching and supported learning of critical thinking in relation to international students on Pathway programmes
  • An exploration of psychologically informed environments for adult literacy learners with experience of homelessness or compound trauma
  • An exploration of multiple perspectives around feedback practices in higher education
  • Children's meaning making in classroom role-play at 4-5 years: A systemic functional linguistic investigation
  • Home and school literacy practices of children in a rural village in India: An ethnography

Potential supervisors

Fees and funding

PhD fees

UK fee International fee
Full time: £4,712 per year Full time: £11,958 per year
Part time: £2,356 per year Part time: £5,979 per year

Professional doctorate fees

UK fee International fee
Part time: £3,587 per year Part time: £9,107 per year

Some of our research students are funded via the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership or The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

Teacher and pupils in classroom
 

How to apply

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Dr Mara Fuertes-Gutierrez, PGR Convenor in Languages 
Email: WELS-student-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1908 654224

Apply now

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process.