Building Relevancy and Engagement through Case-Based Learning in English Studies

Abstract

This critical reflection, motivated by a comprehensive program review and the opportunity to teach a new course, explores issues of relevance and engagement in English Studies.  Arguing for instructional methods that meet our current challenges, the author shares her experience with case-based learning in a graduate level English Language Study course.   The course utilized real-life cases to teach advanced linguistics, encourage critical thinking, and show students the ways linguistics can be used to address everyday problems.  Feedback from students evidenced a high level of relevancy and engagement.  The article also highlights the importance of scaffolding and collaboration in implementing case-based learning successfully.