Undergraduate 2013

A place to inspire you / An approach to challenge you


English Language and Linguistics

Key facts
Start year: 2013
Location: Canterbury
Award/s: BA (Hons)
Type: Full-time

Studying English Language and Linguistics provides an opportunity to discover and explore a dynamic and often controversial field which is crucial to our understanding of spoken and written language in all their complexity. English Language and Linguistics at Kent is a broad and exciting programme which allows you to tailor your studies to suit your individual interests and possible career paths. You will be studying the most varied and rapidly changing language in the world – a large and all-encompassing subject.

Combining theoretical and practical elements, the programme explores both the structure of language and its multifaceted relationship with culture and society. The choice of topics covered is very wide, including areas such as sociolinguistics, language acquisition, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, phonetics and phonology, morphology, language learning and teaching, language impairments, literary stylistics and critical and cultural theory. You can even study creative writing and media writing.

Modules

Stage 1

Core modules
  • Foundations of Language I: Structure and Meaning
  • Foundations of Language 2: Sounds and Words
Options

You can also choose from a range of optional modules, including:

  • Discourse Analysis
  • English Words: History & Morphology
  • Language, Self and Society
  • Tackling Text*
  • World Englishes.

*If you are taking a joint honours degree in English Language and Linguistics with a literary subject (ie, English and American Literature or Comparative Literature), then this module is core and you must take it.

Stage 2/3

At Stages 2 and 3, building on the foundations laid in the first year, you may choose from the following options.

  • An Introduction to English Language Teaching
  • Case Studies in Language Acquistion
  • Creative Writing: A Stylistics Approach
  • First Language Acquisition
  • Language in the Media
  • Language Processing
  • Language and Society: Sociolinguistics
  • Language Variation and Change
  • Learning and Teaching Languages
  • Pragmatics
  • Research and Dissertation
  • Research Methods in Linguistics
  • Syntax I
  • Stylistics: Language in Literature*
  • Theories of Discourse and Culture
  • Writing in the Media: A Practical Approach

*If you are taking a joint honours degree in English Language and Linguistics with a literary subject (ie, English and American Literature or Comparative Literature), then this module is core and you must take it.

Please check our website for more information about these modules and for details of other new modules: www.kent.ac.uk/secl/ell

Teaching and assessment

On average, you have four one-hour lectures each week plus four seminar classes of two hours each. However, this varies depending on the material and the nature of the module, and may include workshops, discussion groups and practical sessions. You have group or one-to-one tutorials for research projects and dissertations, and also have tutorials with your lecturers and seminar leaders to discuss coursework and assignments. In addition, you have access to further information and support via Moodle, our interactive web-based learning platform.

At each stage, some modules are continuously assessed, while others combine coursework and examination. Stage 2 and 3 modules count towards your final degree result.

Entry requirements

Passing the Kent IFP with an overall average of 50%, including passing all components, and achieving 60% in the academic skills module, guarantees you entry onto the first year of this degree programme.

Not sure? How about...
  • Comparative Literature
  • Cultural Studies
  • English Literature
  • History

    • Offer levels

    ABB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher. International students need national school-leaving qualifications at the appropriate level.

    You need to be a proficient English speaker with a strong interest in language reflected in your qualifications, but all applications will be carefully considered.


    Required subjects

    All programmes: A level English Language or English Language and Literature grade B where taken.

    Q391: A level English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B.

    RQ33, RQ43, RQ13: A level in French/Italian/ Spanish grade B if taken.

    RQ23: A level German grade B or another modern European language other than English.

    WQ43: A level Drama grade B, if taken.

    Careers

    Single and joint honours programmes in English Language and Linguistics help you acquire highlevel skills in communication, problem solving, group work, IT and numeracy, which will be very important in your future career. The programme prepares students for an extensive and wide range of careers where an in-depth understanding of how language functions is essential. These include advertising, journalism and professional writing, media, public relations, marketing and sales, publishing, teaching at all levels, company training, broadcasting, conversation analysis, and the civil or diplomatic services. The single honours programme is particularly useful for students who are thinking of English teaching either in the UK or abroad.

    For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your employment prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability

    Further information

    Student profile

    Subject leaflet (pdf)

    School:

    Enquiries:

    T: +44 (0)1227 827272

    E: information@kent.ac.uk

    Publishing Office - © University of Kent

    The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T: +44 (0)1227 764000

    Last Updated: 08/11/2011