English Language and Linguistics - BA (Hons)

Cardiff University

Why study this course

How does your use of language express who you are and who you want to be? Why do babies learn language easily while adults struggle? How and why does language change? How is language in the media used to manipulate us? Are pictures sometimes better than words? Can we talk with animals?

Through our English Language and Linguistics (BA) degree, you will have the opportunity to explore questions such as these and will gain a deep understanding of how linguistic communication works based on usage from English and comparative examples from a wide range of other languages.

You will study core theories and cutting-edge practices in linguistics. You will also acquire the skills to apply those theories and practices to real world issues.

Together, we will look at how language is structured and used in the social world. There are two key aspects to doing this: First, knowledge of the relationships between linguistic structures, individual identity, and social organisation. Second, the acquisition of skills for analysing language, not just as it can be used but as it is used in context.

In the first year of the programme, you will learn how language works and how to use language to communicate. During the second year, you will focus on how language is and has been used in practice. These topics will equip you to discover how to navigate the use of language and linguistics in today’s modern world and the relationship between language and society, with a focus in your final year on how to communicate specialist topics to different audiences.

Acquiring career-enhancing skills, you’ll have the opportunity to produce different types of texts and work with specialised software. You will gain skills from analysing real-world examples of language and learn how to construct arguments and communicate ideas to different audiences.

A degree in English language and linguistics develops abilities to analyse and critique the language that surrounds us and helps develop a strong skillset that is valued in the workplace.

Our community is welcoming, supportive, and student-centred. We are diverse in outlook and home to the globally respected Centre for Language and Communication Research.

Learning and assessment

Throughout the degree, our aim is to support you to become an independent, creative, and critical thinker.

First year teaching provides carefully structured support through lectures and seminar discussions to help you develop key skills and gain confidence. The learning activities will vary from module to module, but may include lectures, seminar discussions, student presentations, and small-group work. You will also have access to relevant learning and teaching materials through our electronic learning environment.

Through the second and final year of study, you will increasingly learn through guided independent reading and interactive lectures and seminars, discussing new research with internationally recognised academics who are currently working in that area.

In this supportive environment, you will develop your abilities to analyse texts, construct arguments, collaboratively work through problems, and present your ideas clearly to others.

You are expected to do the reading and other relevant preparation to enable you to take part fully in these activities and are encouraged to explore the resources of the library.