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What can I do with my degree in English Language and Linguistics? |
English Language and Linguistics careers
The jobs listed below are a selection of those which may interest English Language and Linguistics students and graduates and offer the opportunity to use your degree directly.
Linguistics is the study of language structure and use. Languages around the world show commonalities in terms of their structure, the way they are used and change, and the way they are learned by young children and adults. Linguistic research focuses on finding and understanding these commonalities and their origins, determining the structural differences between languages and the limits of such differences.
Here you will discover what English Language and Linguistics graduates from Kent have gone on to do after completing their degree. 40% of vacancies advertised specifically to graduates do not specify degree subject, so English Language and Linguistics graduates can enter a wide range of careers.
Speech and Language Therapy
Additional training may be required for a role in Speech and Language Therapy. A solid grounding in linguistic analysis is essential in this field.
I want to work in Speech and Language Therapy
Computing
Speech technology, automatic translation, intelligent search engines, computer-mediated language learning and other areas hire linguists (e.g. Google employ linguists)
I want to work in Computing
Teaching
To teach in state schools (excluding academies and free schools) in England and Wales, you must complete a period of “initial teacher training”, such as a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course or school-centred training, which leads to Qualified Teacher Status. History is a popular subject so it is important to build up teaching-related experience during your undergraduate degree and to apply each for teacher training.
Job profile of a secondary school teacher from the Prospects website
Job profile of a secondary school teacher from the TARGET Jobs website
I want to work in Teaching
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
This is a popular option and still relatively easy to get, although you would be wise to get the CELTA Certificate in TEFL as this will make the better jobs available - it can be done in one month. The JET scheme each year takes about 200 British graduates to Japan to teach English for one or more years and pays well - it is usually advertised in October each year with a closing date in November.
I want to work Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Higher Education
You may be interested in teaching and research in a Higher Education institution. Alternatively, you might consider if progressing to PhD.
I want to work in a University
Translation and interpreting
Additional training may be required for roles in Translation and Interpreting.
I want to work in Translating
Publishing
Technical writing, editing, publishing and working for publishers specialising in language-teaching publications are all options for linguists.
I want to work in Publishing
Law
You could consider roles as a forensic consultant or as a lawyer (with additional training). This would use your verbal and analytical skills.
I want to work in Law
Advertising
Many companies (e.g. The Gap) employ linguists to ensure that names of new products will have cross-linguistic appeal.
I want to work in Advertising
Government
Many government agencies employ language and linguistics experts (e.g. MI5, Diplomatic Service)
I want to work in Government
Consultancy
Linguists can provide a better understanding of language use, pronunciation and practices; e.g. the BBC employs phoneticians who advise news presenters on how to pronounce foreign names.
I want to work in Consultancy
Film Industry
Linguists are employed as actor trainers (e.g. teaching specific accents or dialectal features), as consultants (e.g. to provide historical accuracy in language use) and as creators of new languages (like Dothraki in the Game of Thrones created by linguist David Peterson)
I want to work in the Film Industry
Lexicography
You may consider working as a linguistic consultant for dictionaries.
Language documentation: document, analyse, and help preserve endangered languages by conducting fieldwork and establishing literacy programs
I want to work in Lexicography
Forensics
Linguists are employed by law firms and many government agencies (incl. the police) are forensic consultants e.g. analysing speech and writing samples. See The case for forensic linguistics. There is an MSc in Forensic Linguistics at Aston University
I want to work in Forensics
Journalist
Journalists research, write and present stories, features and articles across a range of media platforms – newspapers, magazines, television, radio and internet. Experience gained in student journalism will be helpful in breaking into this area.
I want to work in Journalism
University lecturer
As well as teaching through lectures and seminars, academic staff in higher education also carry out research and a wide range of administrative and pastoral tasks. Although a teaching qualification is not required, you will need a higher degree, normally a PhD. Competition is strong for entry-level academic posts.
Job profile of a higher education lecturer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a higher education lecturer from the TARGET Jobs website
I want to work in A University
Please note that some of these careers may require further study.
You may be interested in graduate roles outside of English Language and Linguistics. There are many employers who are looking for graduates with good degrees but that don’t have a preference for the subject studied. To explore different career options see:
People in some English Language and Linguistics roles may be self-employed
Thank you to Prospects for the content on these pages.
Visit the English Language and Linguistics web page
The degree programme pages also include information on Employability