Modern Languages and Linguistics

This course allows students to study one modern language in depth together with linguistics, the study of language itself.

Part of your course will consist of developing your practical language skills to a high level, and you will also explore the literature and culture of the relevant language.

A typical week

Your typical week will include a tutorial on linguistics or literature, a linguistics class, language classes on different skills relating to the language or languages you study, and five or six lectures.

Tutorials are usually up to four students and a tutor. Seminar and language class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose or the language you are studying, but there would usually be no more than around 20 students and classes would often be much smaller.

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctoral level.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Courses

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Assessment

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• Modern Language
  • Practical language work (two papers)
  • Study of important works and/or topics in the literature of the language (two papers)
• Linguistics
  • General linguistics
  • Phonetics and phonology
  • Morphology
  • Syntax
  • Semantics and pragmatics

First University examinations: six or seven written papers, including translation and literature

The training in rigorous analysis provided by Linguistics, coupled with highly developed practical competence in a language, gives graduates an excellent basis for a wide range of careers in language-related employment and other areas. Recent Modern Languages and Linguistics graduates include a management consultant, a brand marketing manager, a market researcher for a company in the chemical industry, and a psychology lecturer. Joe, who went on to become a Head of Languages, said: ‘I really enjoyed studying the earliest Russian texts, written on birch bark, and looking at how the language had evolved and its impacts on the contemporary language. Investigating languages demands diligence, focus and determination; the course also developed many critical skills that are essential for interesting careers – analytical reading, discussion, listening skills, presentation skills, and a keen writing style. Thank you Oxford!’