Applied Linguistics seeks to solve real world problems using the application of linguistic theory. It concerns itself with issues of inequity in the relationship between social categories and language.

This can cover areas as diverse as language and the law, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, corpus linguistics, language and discourse and empirical research methods.

This course is designed for independent learners who have a strong interest in, and commitment to, linguistics and its real world applications. You will have the chance to learn about different theories of language acquisition and use, and to apply these theories to legal situations, social situations and educational situations.

In your year here you will cover a range of ways in which theories of language can help solve real world problems. Students in the School have gone on to be TEFL instructors, teachers at all levels, editors and researchers in the social sciences.

Your tutors are enthusiastic about their specialisms, which fosters an invaluable knowledge transfer within the programme. They work on areas including corpus linguistics, forensic linguistics, applied sociolinguistics and language and masculinity.

Enhancing employability skills

Linguistics and English Language study can assist across the range of employment opportunities.

Detailed ability to analyse and describe linguistic patterns develops an ability to use language precisely and effectively, boosting performance in all sectors of the workplace. Using corpora for language study and applying linguistic theory to real world data gives transferable skills concerning language in use which lend themselves to health professionals, journalists, educators, business leaders, and any profession where communication is paramount.

PLACEMENTS

Several language modules have explicit employer and industry engagement (TEFL), where you are encouraged to adopt industry-standard practices to facilitate connections and links independently with external partners.

Moreover, you are supported in your employability goals through the University Career Service, Graduate+, Student Employability Mentors, and Career networking events organised within the School. 

As part of our Continuing Professional Development programme, all staff in the School of English maintain skills relevant to their particular industry, and we regularly seek out opportunities to build further links with partner organisations in the region (Creative Black Country, Birmingham Literature Festival, Birmingham Museums Trust, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Black Country Museum Trust, Arvon Creative Writing Foundation, Flatpack Film Festival, West Midlands Screenwriters' Forum, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire), in addition to publishers, charities, third sector organisations, and more beyond Birmingham.