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Welcome to the Department of Language and Linguistics

The Department of Language and Linguistics has more than 40 specialist teaching and research staff, and has a 40-year tradition of excellence in English Language, TEFL/TESOL/ELT, Linguistics and Modern Languages. We have an international reputation for our research in Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics and ELT. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, we were rated as having the highest proportion of Linguistics research which is “world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour” of any university in England.

Our world-leading research means that you are taught by staff who are among the most eminent scholars in their fields in the world. The quality of our teaching is reflected in the excellent scores we achieved in the 2009 Student Satisfaction Surveys (e.g. 95% on staff availability, 94% on acquiring knowledge and understanding, 93% on quality of supervision, 90% on course organisation, 90% on course materials, 88% on resources). One student in last year’s survey wrote that "The professors of Linguistics at Essex are the best in the world".

In Modern Languages we offer a wide range of programmes in French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. All our staff are native (or bilingual) speakers, which means that you are immersed in the kind of authentic language learning environment which is so vital to improving confidence and proficiency. Our courses have a triple focus on developing proficiency, cultural awareness and professional skills (not only translation skills, but also web and publishing skills, and film production and video editing skills). We offer a flexible curriculum which allows you to choose how many languages you want to learn (one? two? three? four?), and what pace you want to learn at (e.g. intensive or otherwise).

If you are interested in applying to do a BA, MA or PhD with us, see information for prospective students

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