What you will study
The module is divided into four blocks, each focusing on different applications of linguistics in society.
Block 1 examines how language enables humans to understand the world around them. You’ll consider how children and adults develop language literacies, how individuals construct multilingual identities, and how knowledge is collaboratively produced in today’s digital world.
Block 2 explores the sociocultural and cognitive dimensions of language learning and teaching. You’ll analyse how policies and institutional practices influence communication patterns across different contexts.
Block 3 focuses on translation across languages, styles, and modalities in professional settings like marketing, law, and healthcare. You’ll also explore how people with diverse abilities creatively adapt language to communicate effectively with others.
Block 4 prepares you for your final assessment. You’ll learn how to design and structure a research proposal, conduct an interview and critically reflect on research methodologies.
By studying this module, you’ll strengthen key academic, communicative, and digital literacy skills that will help you successfully complete your postgraduate qualification and professionalise your career. The emphasis is on refining your academic writing, finding your voice, and developing skills to reflect on the broad range of topics covered. You’ll learn to combine evidence-based findings from academic research with your own perspectives and experiences, as well as apply insights to shape your future career.
You will learn
You’ll learn about the latest concepts, themes and methods used in applied linguistics research and become familiar with current debates in the field and how they relate to wider political, economic and social developments. You’ll also develop an awareness of research ethics and build critical connections between theory and practice. Throughout the module, you’ll enhance your skills for producing and presenting written texts – and develop skills in independently evaluating relevant literature and planning research projects – essential preparation for the final stage of your master’s degree.
Vocational relevance
The module will appeal to anyone interested in a profession where language plays a central role. This includes administration, advertising, communications, data analysis, education, human resources, journalism, marketing, politics, public relations, publishing, social media management, and tourism. It is also relevant for those who teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a foreign language (EFL).
Entry
To study for this postgraduate module you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or another recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at an equivalent level.
If you are studying towards the MA in Linguistics (F97), you must have successfully completed L804 or have equivalent prior experience.
As our modules are taught in English, your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study in the UK. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you have a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.