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A Level English Language Teacher Workshops

Workshop at Warwick (Applied Linguistics) 11th July 2017

Title: Applied Linguistics at Warwick half day workshop on Big Data: Using corpus tools to analyse English

Every day billions of words of English are spoken, written and read. This was true historically but now technology can capture some of that data and give us useful fresh insights into language usage, language change and language trends. In this session you will be introduced to ways of keeping abreast of the latest discoveries about English and perhaps making a few of your own. This workshop will be especially useful for teachers who want to expand their knowledge and skills in English Language analysis. We will review some core concepts in Discourse Analysis and then explore a number of large language databases (corpora) using the tool Sketch Engine to research general English as well as the language of specific genres and disciplines.

This workshop will be facilitated by

  • Tilly Harrison, Principal Teaching Fellow
  • Dr Sue Wharton, Associate Professor, Applied Linguistics

Please bring a laptop or tablet with you to the session. You will be given worksheets and lesson plans to take away.

If you and/or your colleagues would like to attend, please fill in the booking form

or reply to tilly dot harrison at warwick dot ac dot uk no later than noon on Friday 7th July indicating any dietary preferences.

Venue: Room A1.11 in the Social Science Annex. Postcode CV4 7AL

Time: 10.00 - 13.00 (Coffee and registration from 9.30) Lunch and networking 13.00 - 14.00


Workshop at Warwick (Applied Linguistics) 29th March 2017

Title: Applied Linguistics at Warwick half day workshop on 1) English as a Global Language and 2) Language Death

On 29th March 2017 CAL staff ran the first workshop for A level English Language teachers here in Applied Linguistics. The purpose of the workshop was develop links to schools where English Language A level is taught so that we can better understand the background of students applying to us to do our undergraduate degrees, particularly the new English Language and Linguistics.


  • Dr Jo Angouri opened the event outlining its main aims and explaining our present undergraduate degrees.
  • Dr Richard Smith then offered a session on English as a Global Language with support from Vennela Rayavarapu who gave insights into current Indian English.
  • Dr Ellen Smith-Dennis followed with a talk on Language Death which featured her own research into the critically endangered language, Papapana.
  • Tilly Harrison and Sal Consoli supported both sessions facilitating discussion and giving suggestions for teaching materials and activities.

Eight teachers came to this first event and although that was a smaller number than envisaged, they were extremely positive and interactive, creating a good atmosphere of shared knowledge and expertise. There was enough time over the networking lunch to get to know the participants who had come from near (Stratford, Atherstone, Kenilworth, Northampton) and far (Worcester, London, Yorkshire). The feedback was universally positive – here are a selection of comments:

“Excellent, stimulating and up-to-date”,

“Very specific, accessible relevant, both of them [presentations] providing clear ways in to teaching”,

“Excellent, pitched perfectly for A level Language teachers, looking beyond the syllabus to broader degree / Masters ideas / issues”,

“Thoroughly enjoyable and informative sessions. Good balance of talk, ideas and input from experts”.