If you are intrigued by how meaning is communicated through language, or want to gain a deeper understanding of linguistic structure, this course is perfect for you.
On this degree, you will learn how language works, how sounds combine to form words, how words form sentences, and how people use language in various contexts and for different purposes. From the spoken to the written, from the internet to politics, you will explore language in all its shapes and sizes.
Linguists are concerned with the formal structure of language and with its functions in society. From the sounds children make, to the way people speak to the elderly; from media spin, to everyday conversations, the language around us is influenced by history and geography. It is shaped, and is shaped by, the society we live in and the power structures within it.
To really understand these implications, this course takes a lively hands-on approach; we pay attention to ‘real language’.
We specialise in both theoretical and socio-linguistics. You’ll learn about formal and functional aspects of language study, providing grounding in structural analysis (grammar, syntax etc.); however, what makes our approach so distinctive is the emphasis we place on the sociolinguistic functions of language.
You will examine the different types of language use in contemporary British media such as press, television and radio, and cover topics such as advertising discourse and phone-in talk, as well as news reporting and political interviews. Additionally, you’ll be able to explore how language varies according to social and regional factors, examining topics such as attitudes to language, the relation of language to class, regional, gender and ethnic identity, and the influences of peer groups on how languages are used and why we find variation.
You’ll also have opportunities to apply your knowledge of English language and language learning to critically evaluate techniques in teaching different aspects of English, and looking at the practical problem of lesson design.
Throughout the degree, you will have access to the state-of-the-art facilities in our industry-leading digital media centre, located in the heart of our parkland campus in London
You may incur additional costs during your education at the University over and above tuition fees in an academic year such as laptops, Stationary and additional resources.
You could become a teacher (after completing a PGCE), professional writer, researcher or manager, or complete further study to become a speech and language therapist. The course will give you a head-start in language teaching or journalism.
Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. They will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.
100% of English Language and Linguistic students were satisfied with their course overall (NSS 2020).