MA Language, Culture and Communication

Core Modules

You will study four core modules:

Describing Language

This module provides a grounding in the analysis of the lexis and grammar of English. You are introduced to essential concepts and terminology in the field and gain practice in analyzing naturally occurring language using the models (e.g. pattern grammar) discussed. There is some emphasis on the application of such analysis to the study of language in a social context.

Discourse Culture and Intercultural Communication

This module aims to lead students to consider discourse production and reception as they are conditioned by their interactional, social, historical, political, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, develop their awareness of what is involved in ‘situated’ discourse. Grounded in a view that culture is to a significant extent discursive – that is, based upon and realised by the ways in which we talk to each other about ‘ourselves’ and about ‘others’ – we take a critical linguistic and intercultural approach to our subject matter, hoping to draw upon the variety of students’ own cultural backgrounds as a basis for discussion and contrastive analysis.

The module will provide a critical overview of major theories in Discourse Studies and Intercultural Communication but also aims to develop more practical, analytic skills – training students to identify patterns of organization and discursive strategies in authentic written and oral texts, drawn from various sources (e.g. media, advertising, political speeches/interviews, casual conversation, etc.). We thus hope to enable students to develop a critical understanding of key concepts in, and approaches to, Discourse Analysis and of how language reflects mediates, or – arguably – creates our (various) everyday realities. Further, we aim to develop an awareness of the increasing need for – and the problems involved in – communication across cultural boundaries of language(s), style(s), and value(s) in the context of ‘globalization’.

Research Methods in Applied Linguistics

This module aims to provide you with a grounding in approaches to and methods of research in Applied Linguistics.

Sociolinguistics

This module explores the relationship between language and society, examining how variation in language structure is distributed across different aspects of society, for example, the correlation between the use of particular linguistic forms and social class groups, genders, age groups, and geographical areas. The module considers the associations that develop between aspects of a speaker's identity and different linguistic forms, the role of prestige (overt and covert), stigmatization, and the significance of one's social networks and communities, and how these facets of variation lead to changes in the English language.

Optional Modules

You will also choose two optional modules from a range which may include the following:

• Bilingualism and Multilingualism in the TESOL Classroom
• Business Discourse and Communication
• Corpus-Assisted Language Learning
• English as an International Language
• Language and Gesture
• Language and Politics
• Language and New Media
• Language, Gender, and Identity
• Language Teaching Training
• Multimodal Communication
• Lexicography
• Psycholinguistics in TESOL

Dissertation

In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities, especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team that offers tailored advice and a programme of College-specific career events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

• Receive one-to-one career advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
• Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
• Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What's more, you will be able to access our full range of career support for up to 2 years after graduation.

Postgraduate Employability: English Language and Linguistics

Birmingham's English Language and Linguistics postgraduates develop a broad range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, particularly in relation to verbal and written communication. They also develop crucial skills in organisation, time management, analysis and interpretation of information.

Many of our graduates enter roles for which their programme has prepared them, such as becoming a language analyst or data scientist. Others use their transferable skills in a wide range of occupations including teaching, research administration and events.

We have two teaching semesters per year, the autumn semester and the spring semester. Semester dates can be found on our website.

As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each semester, followed by your dissertation. Part-time students would normally complete 60 taught credits in year 1 and a further 60 taught credits in year 2 along with the dissertation.

Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including seminars, preparatory reading, assignment preparation, and independent study.

Teaching Year

We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.

As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules across each year, followed by your dissertation.

Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.