Department of English Language

English Language Department was established in 1960 at the initiative of the Professor Skënder Luarasi, its head until 1965. Initially, the curriculum mainly aimed at preparing future English language teachers and Albanian language and literature teachers for lower and upper secondary education.

In 1972, work began on the design of new study programs and syllabi, enabling the formation of not only a consolidated administrative unit, but also an independent teaching and learning one. The academic staff was focused both on the field of teaching and qualification of English language teachers, and on their further qualification, especially in the field of dissertations defense, compilation of various dictionaries, translation field, etc.

In order to better meet   the demands of the time, as well as those of the labor market for profiled specialists, during the 1997-1998 period, following previous efforts, this department launched new study programs and prepared new syllabi which envisioned not only the preparation of English language teachers but also the creation of new profiles “Translation and Interpretation” and “British and American Studies”. As a result, from 1998 and on the Department of English Language offers three different profiles: the profile of teaching, translation and interpretation, as well as that of British and American studies.

Currently, the Department consist of 4 Professors, 8 Associated Professors, 31 Doctors of Sciences, 5 Master of Science (Postmaster Studies) who, thanks to their highest level of formation and qualification besides teaching in the  English Department, are involved in various  implementing activities in the field of , translation and interpretation, publication, preparation of monographs,  texts -books, dictionaries, consultancy of various  natures of linguistics, didactic and pedagogy, management of national and international projects, etc.

Students graduated from the Department of English Language are distinguished for their contribution to diverse fields of professional and social activity, not only in public sector, mainly in policymaking, translation and interpretation, journalism, diplomacy, teaching at various levels, etc., but also in private sector, through their successful businesses.

Since 2005, first-cycle study programs, Bachelor, the first two years of study are organized as study programs with common cores, while in the third year students are given the opportunity to choose between the three profiles, respectively:

1. Bachelor in “English Language” , including general formation subjects and introductory modules in the field of English language teaching;
2. Bachelor in “Translation and Interpretation”, in which general formation subjects and forming modules of translation and interpretation are included;
3. Bachelor in “British and American Studies”, including general formation subjects and introductory modules in the field of British and American cultural studies and institutions;

In 2008, in accordance with the changes envisioned in the Law of Higher Education in the Republic of Albania, in co-operation with the departments of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, as well as other departments of the faculties of the University of Tirana, the Department of English Language offers Master of Science programs and welcomes not only FFL students, but also students from local and foreign faculties relevantly:

1. English Language Teacher , which prepares English language teachers for Upper-secondary education
2. Technical-Literary Translation and Interpretation,  which prepares translators and/or interpreters  for public and private institutions, multilingual and multicultural mediators in international bodies and organizations, foreign and local associations, public administration workers, employees at various NGO-s, in local government structures, mediators in public relations, tourist guide  for tourist groups at home  and abroad, translator and/or journalists for written and electronic media, multilingual and multicultural mediators in the field of international relations and diplomacy;
3. Language, Intercultural  and Touristic Communication,  which  prepares intercultural mediators in the field of cultural relations, international organizations, foreign and local associations, public administration,  local government  institutions, cultural field translators, tourist guide for  groups  from home and abroad, managers of tourist agencies, employees in written and electronic media especially in cultural, historical, inter-lingual field etc.

Seeing students’ interest and labor market demands, during the 2017-2018 Academic Year, the English Language Department launched for the first time the Professional Master’s Program with 60 credits (1-year duration).

Diplomas received by Graduated English Language students throughout the cycles of studies at the Faculty of Foreign Languages are recognized in the USA, Canada and Europe by creating opportunities for further studies and/or employment, not only in the graduated profiles and study programs of the FFL, but in a variety of other study programs.

Over the years, the Department of the English Language has had co-operation relations with the British Council, the U.S. Embassy, the Peace Corps, various universities in Europe and beyond, including joint qualifying and research-scientific projects.