Language is how we make sense of the world. It is fundamental to our perception of what’s around us, and our place in society. We’ll look at linguistics in depth so you can analyse language and assess how it works. You’ll have the chance to develop a range of language styles, and the tools to describe them as well as the different concepts, theories and tools of different branches of linguistics. The ability to speak a foreign language is more and more sought after in this globalised world.

Why English Language with a Modern Language?

• State-of-the-art facilities including a forensic linguistics lab, a research and resource centre and conference labs.
• Opportunity to take a five-week placement as part of the ‘Language in the Workplace’ module – a chance to see how the language skills you’ve learnt on the course can be applied to communication in a working environment.
• Get involved in the writing, editing and production of the popular department linguistics magazine, Babel.
• Our team of academic staff are ranked in the top 5 in the UK for the quality of their research publications (REF 2014).
• 95% of graduates from this subject are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates).
• Foreign language options include French, German and Spanish.

On your course you could also build up transferable skills such as communication, self-motivation, teamwork, analysis, creative problem-solving and persuasiveness, all of which will be useful in the professional environment. Studying a foreign language alongside your linguistics studies will give you a unique perspective on the importance of language and give you the opportunity to look at the society and cultures of the countries where the language is spoken.

Placements

As part of the compulsory second year ‘Language in the Workplace' module you will have the chance to gain valuable experience spending 5 weeks in a work placement or work related activity. The module shows you how the language skills you aim to develop through your course can be applied to communication in the workplace.

If you’re studying full-time, this course also offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Some of our students have gained real-world experience in various teaching environments, in publishing houses and in marketing roles. Previous placement providers have included Maiden Voyage.Com, Kirklees Library Services, M-Four Translations, Quest Media and a range of primary and secondary schools.

Your Career

In a competitive global marketplace, by combining your major subject choice with a modern language you could add extra value to your skills and knowledge. Many potential employers have overseas offices and do business around the world. Developing the ability to speak a foreign language is likely to help to improve your employability prospects. The course also aims to help you develop skills in communication, self-motivation, teamwork, analysis, creative problem solving and persuasiveness. These are skills generally widely valued by potential employers.

Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers within publishing, broadcasting, teaching, writing, advertising, management, politics and local government. Others have opted for PGCE study and have become teachers, or continued their studies at postgraduate level.**