Key Info
Linguistics with TESOL
Entry route(s):
Linguistics with TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of Other Languages) can be taken on both LM002 Bachelor of Arts & LM019 Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences. Subject combinations & course structures can be reviewed on the appropriate programme page.
About You
You are fascinated by all aspects of human language and communication; you are interested in finding out where language comes from and how we acquire it, how language changes over time, how it varies between people and between places, and between different genders and generations. You are keen to explore the role of language in wider society and to learn how languages work in contact and competition with each other. Studying linguistics with TESOL involves becoming a language expert. This means not just improving your language and communication skills but also learning about languages in the world.
Why study Linguistics with TESOL at UL?
The Linguistics and TESOL Section is located in the School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics. All members of staff are highly active in research , and there is a close alignment between research and teaching expertise. Particular features of the Linguistics with TESOL pathway at University of Limerick include:
- Foundation modules in linguistics and sociolinguistics (language in society) in your first year to give you a thorough introduction to the subject;
- Modules on researching language in your second and third years, which will equip you with the tools to carry out research and analysis on a variety of types of language and texts;
- Specialist modules covering topics such as - language and technology; language policy and politics; Irish- English; multilingualism; language and globalization; and media discourse analysis;
- Training in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in a specialized suite of three modules;
- One year off-campus gaining valuable work experience through cooperative education placement and intercultural experience through Erasmus/ study abroad in one of our partner universities.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
Linguistics is the study of language, and language is how we get things done in the world. The focus in UL is on sociolinguistics, which is concerned with the role of language in society. You will start in first year with more general, introductory modules and work your way towards more specialized modules in your final semesters:
- Year 1: Introduction to Linguistics; Introduction to Sociolinguistics;
- Year 2: How to research language (carrying out and designing research studies); Language and Society in Ireland; Language Technology;
- Year 3: How to analyse language data (corpus methods, discourse analysis, ethnographic methods, conversation analysis); TESOL 1 OR optional modules in Language and Culture.
- Year 4: Multilingualism in a Globalizing World; Language Policy, Politics and Power. TESOL 2&3 OR optional modules in Language and Culture.
Modules are offered on both Bachelor of Arts (LM002) and BSc. Social Sciences (LM019) - Both are subject to change.
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
| LI4211 |
Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics |
LI4212 |
Linguistics 2: Sociolinguistics |
| Year 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 | |
| LI4013 |
Linguistics 3: Researching Language 1 |
Cooperative Education Work Placement | |
| Students select 1: | |||
| LI4023 |
Language and Society in Ireland |
||
| LI4113 |
Language Technology |
||
| Year 3 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 | |
| Erasmus/Exchange placement with a partner institution abroad | LI4006 |
Linguistics 4: Researching Language 2 |
|
| Students select 1: | |||
| TE4106 |
TESOL 1 |
||
| CU4014 |
Analysing Media Discourse |
||
| Year 4 | Semester 7 | Semester 8 | |
| LI4037 |
Applied Linguistics and the Professions |
LI4038 |
Advanced Issues in Applied Linguistics |
| Students select 1: | Students select 1: | ||
| TE4107 |
TESOL 2 |
TE4108 |
TESOL 3 |
| LI4017 |
Linguistics 5: Multilingualism in a globalizing world |
LI4018 |
Linguistics 6: Language Policy, Politics & Power |
Entry requirements
| Additional considerations |
Entry requirements are dependent on your programme of choice. Please click your preferred programme below: For certain subjects, additional special qualifications specific to individual subjects or disciplines may be determined by the respective departments in accordance with Academic Council regulations. Applications are especially welcome from Mature Students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. QQI Entry Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for both LM002 and LM019. More information on the UL Admissions QQI page including a full list of modules. |
|---|---|
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this subject through the Bachelor of Arts degree or |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €2,558 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €5,658 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €15,262 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €15,362 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Studying linguistics opens the door to a whole range of careers, as expertise in language and communication is in very high demand across almost all sectors and professions. Here are some examples:
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Masters required)
- Forensic linguistics
- Language consultancy (surveys and testing)
- Lexicography (development of dictionaries)
- Linguistic analysis for digital media companies
- Media, journalism and publishing,
- Advertising and PR
- Information Technology Sector
- Research and teaching in further and higher education
Follow-on Study
Related postgraduate courses at UL include;
Student profile
Lorraine Power
I study Linguistics with TESOL and Digital Culture and Communications on the Bachelor of Arts programme. Originally from Wexford, I was drawn to UL by its exceptional opportunities.
The University offers a vibrant academic environment with world-class facilities and a strong emphasis on student-centred learning. UL offers opportunities for research, placements, global engagement, and career success through its supportive community and innovative programs.
In my first year, I explored modules including Linguistics with TESOL, Digital Culture and Communications, Sociology, and Psychology. Initially planning to focus on Psychology, the depth in Linguistics captivated me.
Linguistics encompasses the scientific study of language. Areas of focus include phonetics (sounds), phonology (sound patterns), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), semantics (meaning), pragmatics (language in context), historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and computational linguistics.
TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages), equips students with methodologies for teaching English to non-native speakers. As a result, I have gained valuable insights into language learning and collaborated closely with peers from various linguistic disciplines, enhancing my understanding despite my minimal foreign language study.
Built into the course, students go on co-op work placement and study abroad. I am completing my co-op in the UL Language Learning Hub and will attend Bridgewater State University in Boston, USA, enriching my academic journey and cultural experiences.
I highly recommend studying Linguistics with TESOL. It prepares students for various career opportunities in Ireland and worldwide.
