BA Language Studies and Linguistics

Program Overview

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Your first year at Essex studying BA Language Studies and Linguistics (including Foundation Year) will be with Essex Pathways. In your second year of study, you will join the Department of Language and Linguistics for the remaining three years of study. Explore both the theoretical aspects of the language we use, and acquire the practical ability to speak another language. Any understanding of language enhances our self-awareness, inspiring us to address fundamental questions about our communication as human beings. Linguistics is an increasingly important subject, impacting on areas in psychology, philosophy, education and artificial intelligence. It has real-world applications in such diverse fields as human rights, computer-assisted language learning, and the study of institutional language in settings such as doctor-patient interactions and interviewer-interviewee dialogues. You will explore a wide range of core topics in linguistics, mastering key concepts in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and also investigate specialist areas including:

• Multilingualism and language impairment
• Language, identity and gender
• Metaphor, irony and style
• Language and the mind
• American languages

You also study up to two of the languages offered at Essex: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, completing at least one language to a minimum of Proficiency level. These languages are widely used in the business world, and so having acquired near fluency, many of our graduates go on to develop successful global careers with international firms. We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route. We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021), and 11th in the UK for linguistics according to the QS World University Rankings (2023). If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome home. Why we're great.

• Great flexibility and choice: You can study up to two languages choosing between French, German, Portuguese*, Italian and Spanish from beginner or post-A level.
• You are taught by lecturers who are internationally recognised for their research.
• You will combine practical language study to a high level with a current, relevant academic discipline.

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally renowned. Their books are often found as key texts on reading lists at other universities and are used as the basis of our teaching in the Department. All our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we language learning is integrated with linguistics in this joint course. In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture.

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Specialist facilities

• A Conference Interpreting lab for training and hosting students interpreting conferences
• An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
• Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

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Your future

Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, apart from English. Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to two languages. Our graduates go on to become teachers, translators, administrators and journalists amongst other jobs. The language skills they acquire enable them to work in diverse fields including banking, entertainment, media, education and tourism, as well as for a host of UK and international companies. For example, one of our recent graduates is now a newspaper editor in Spain, while another teaches modern languages in Southampton. We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course. Below is just one example structure from the current academic year of a combination of modules you could take. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore all modules listed are subject to change. To view the compulsory modules and full list of optional modules currently on offer, please view the programme specification. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Final Year This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It is also a suitable choice for students who simply have an interest in language and it similarly provides a sound academic background for the study of subjects which rely extensively on proficient use of the English language such as Literature, History, Sociology, and Philosophy. View Introduction to Linguistics on our Module Directory This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It considers some of the theoretical underpinnings of second language acquisition and how these considerations can help inform second language teaching and learning. The areas of focus will include: the learner, the classroom environment and society. View Second Language Learning on our Module Directory This module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices. The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module. View Research and Academic Development Skills on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS IA108-3-FY or IA111-3-FY or IA118-3-FY (30 CREDITS) This module introduces you to the production of language sounds and their distribution in words, in particular, but not exclusively, in English. You will study the basic principles of phonology and develop the knowledge required to understand and begin to analyse sound systems. You will also discuss phonological processes and investigate the context and motivation of occurrence. View Sounds on our Module Directory Discover how to describe and analyse the structure of words, phrases, and sentences in this introductory half module. With topics including the English parts of speech, word structure and the distinction between inflection, derivation and compounding, and the identification of phrases, you will gain a solid grasp of the foundational material for the study of English linguistics, whilst developing useful analytical skills. View Words and Sentences on our Module Directory View Introduction to the Study of Language on our Module Directory Discover the role of variation in language systems, and learn the techniques and concepts needed to study the way language varies. You will look at geographical, social and historical dialects, explore language myths, and cover topics such as measuring language variation, social patterns and functions of language variation, speaker variables, and the relationship of language variation to language change. At the end of this module, you will have gained a clear understanding of the role variation plays in language systems, and will be able to look critically at the social functions and values of dialects and vernacular language usage. View Foundations of Sociolinguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Language (higher intermediate or above) or Intensive Initial Part 1 and 2 (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL Language (Initial to Advanced) or Intensive Initial Part 1 and 2 (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG211-5-SP or LG212-5-AU (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG210-5-SP or LG217-5-AU (15 CREDITS) Discover the steps involved in undertaking a research project in language and linguistics and develop your own final-year project. Topics include: Reviewing literature; Formulating research questions and hypotheses; Choosing a suitable research design; Data collection; Analysis techniques; Reporting findings. You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and lab sessions to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence in researching, structuring, and writing a research project. View Research methods for language and linguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Linguistics option from list (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Language (Advanced or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL Language (Lower Intermediate or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG831-6-FY or LG832-6-FY (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 02: OPTIOL Linguistics option from list (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Language (Proficiency or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language (Higher Intermediate or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) This module explores syntax from a cross-linguistic perspective and provides students with a deeper understanding of syntactic variation. We examine key concepts of grammatical organization as it is exhibited in the languages of the world. We look at syntactic variation, as well as the limits which seem to operate on this variation. We will explore a number of categories and concepts which are challenged when data from a broader range of languages is taken into consideration. View World Language Structures on our Module Directory What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory

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Teaching

Teaching methods include lectures, presentations and learning by teaching others

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Assessment

• Assessment is by a combination of coursework (assignments, essays, presentations and tests) and end-of-year examinations
• Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects