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English Language and Applied Linguistics

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Language is at the heart of human life. An ever-changing medium of communication, its study is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as members of society, as individuals and as a species.

​Studying how we communicate with each other in speech and in writing; in all the various kinds of English spoken around the globe; and in texts written from the past and the present, is a vital means of understanding ourselves as individuals and as members of our communities. 

At Reading, we have separate departments for English Language and English Literature. Both have international reputations for innovative scholarship. You can study either English language and linguistics or English literature as a single honours course. You can combine the two in our BA English Language and Literature course, or you can study either with another subject (such as French or Spanish, for example). Whatever you choose to study, you’ll be taught in supportive, small groups by leading experts in your subject.

Both departments provide you with access to the Professional Track, an exciting professional development scheme. It offers a huge range of courses, placements and professional networking opportunities, allowing you to gain impressive employability skills and experience. You could take part in a variety of activities such as masterclasses in journalism, communications and PR, project work in publishing, planning social media strategies and exploring careers in marketing, the charity sector and teaching English as a foreign language. When you complete the scheme, you receive an additional certificate alongside your degree as formal recognition of your achievements.

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About the Department

Visit the English Language and Applied Linguistics website.

After finishing my first year at the University of Reading, I realised that studying English Language here was one of the best decisions I had made during my A levels. I find it fascinating to see how one small word or sentence can have such a great effect on the world around us, and how every individual can take or draw something different from those words.

Emma Campbell
BA English Language

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