Applied English Linguistics BA
The Applied English Linguistics major involves a detailed study of the English language—its grammar, style, history, sounds, varieties, and more—combined with specialized training in an area of your choice that applies these elements of language. You can learn techniques for teaching English as a second language, master computer tools for interacting with language, study language variation and its relationship to culture, or dive into historical English language and literature.
The major begins with core courses that cover general linguistics, history, grammar, sounds, semantics/pragmatics, and research methods in English. You will then choose a primary and secondary track of study from among Linguistic Computing, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Language Acquisition, Language in Society, and Language in History. Remaining coursework covers the collecting and processing of linguistic data, a foreign language, and an opportunity to apply your knowledge at an internship or international study program. By the time you complete the major, you’ll be equipped with an advanced understanding of English and the skills for studying and using it in the professional and academic world.
How Do I Add the Applied English Linguistics Major?
The Applied English Linguistics major is an open-enrollment program, meaning there is no limit on how many students can be in it, and there is no special application process. To add the major, visit the MyMap website and click “Change Major Request” on your Student Summary page.
If you have questions, please contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center (located in 1041 JFSB) at 801-422-3541 or via Y-Message.
Linguistic Computing
The intersection between language and computers spans everything from translation software to corpus studies to artificial intelligence. In this track, you'll learn to use a wide array of computer tools that linguists and data scientists have at their disposal for collecting, processing, and interpreting text and spoken language. Linguistics meets computer scripting and some programming. Up to 9 credit hours from this track option can also be counted toward the Linguistic Computing minor.
- LING 360 - Programming for Text Processing and Analysis (3.0)
- LING 361 - Speech Processing (3.0)
- LING 440 - Linguistic Tools 2 (3.0)
- LING 480 – Problems in Translation (3.0)
- LING 485 - Corpus Linguistics (3.0)
- LING 581 - Natural Language Processing (3.0)
- DIGHT 315 - Research in Digital Humanities (3.0)
- DIGHT 390R – Tools Development Seminar (3.0v)
- DIGHT 495R – Digital Humanities Project (3.0v)
TESOL / Language Acquisition
English is the world’s most studied language, with over 1 billion learners. In this track, you’ll learn the principles of language acquisition as well as get hands-on experience developing and teaching lessons for English language learners. Up to 12 credit hours from this track option can also be counted toward the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor.
- ELING 375 –TESOL Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation (3.0)
- ELING 376 –TESOL Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary (3.0)
- ELING 477 –TESOL Basic Course and Lesson Planning (3.0)
- ELING 478 -TESOL Practicum (3.0)
- ELING 529 -Structure of Modern English (3.0)
Language in Society
A person’s language says a lot about them—where they’re from, their age, social class, education, beliefs. Sociolinguists study language variation and its relationship to culture and identity. The courses in this track will help you look critically at what people today say in societies large and small, how they say it, and what it means. Along the way, you’ll build your understanding of the way language is used in the media, marketing, business, politics, and everyday life.
- ELING 322 -Modern American Usage (3.0)
- ELING 362 -Discourse Analysis (3.0)
- ELING 468 -Intro to Varieties of English (3.0)
- LING 366 -Social Media/Marketing Analysis (3.0)
- LING 452 -Introduction to Sociolinguistics (3.0)
- LING 551 -Anthropological Linguistics (3.0)
Language in History
One of the few constants about language is that it’s always changing. In this track, you’ll get a firsthand look at the centuries-long evolution of English grammar and vocabulary—from the oldest English epics to bussin’ new additions. The track is a strong choice for those interested in lexicography, law, history, genealogy, literature, religious studies, and more.
- ELING 447 -Early Modern English (3.0)
- ELING 448 -Late Modern English (3.0)
- ELING 524 -History of the Book (3.0)
- ELING 525 -Old English 1 (3.0)
- ELING 526 -Middle English (3.0)
- ELING 535 -Language and Literature (3.0)
- ELING 548 -Old English 2 (3.0)
- HIST 350 -English Language Paleography (3.0)
- LING 450 -Intro to Historical-Comparative Linguistics (3.0)
Combining with the Linguistic Computing or TESOL Minors
Up to 9 credits of coursework from the major can be double-counted towards the Linguistics Computing minor, and up to 12 credits of coursework from the major can be double-counted towards the TESOL minor.
Careers with an Applied English Linguistics BA
You can apply the skills you learn in the Applied English Linguistics major in professions such as TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), computational linguistics, data science, advertising, creative writing, education, family history, social media, law, medicine, speech pathology, translation, and many other fields that prize close attention to language.
Students Enrolled Summer 2022 and Earlier
Students enrolled in the English Language major before Fall 2022 can choose between completing the old requirements or switching to the updated requirements. All students who enroll in the major starting Fall 2022 or later must complete the new requirements. View the old English Language major requirements here.
Faculty Advisors
If you have questions about the major—whether you’re interested or already enrolled—feel free to schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor. Advisors are assigned based on the first letter of your last name:
