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Applying linguistics in society

Discover how to apply your specialist knowledge of linguistics across a range of social contexts – from politics and healthcare to education and intercultural communication. This hands-on module introduces you to cutting-edge research methods for analysing language effectively and making informed decisions about language use. You’ll practise analysing authentic language data and experiment with various analytical approaches, developing critical linguistic skills directly relevant to both your personal life and professional career. Through practical application, you’ll learn to connect linguistics theory with everyday communication challenges in our increasingly multilingual and digital world.

Vocational relevance

The module will appeal to anyone interested in a profession where language plays a central role. This includes administration, advertising, communications, data analysis, education, human resources, journalism, marketing, politics, public relations, publishing, social media management, and tourism. It is also relevant for those who teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a foreign language (EFL).

Qualifications

L805 is an optional module in our:

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

Module

Module code
L805
Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
60
Study level
Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU postgraduate modules correspond to these frameworks.
OU Postgraduate
SCQF 11
FHEQ 7
Study method
Distance learning
Module cost
See Module registration
Entry requirements

Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

The module is divided into four blocks, each focusing on different applications of linguistics in society.

Block 1 examines how language enables humans to understand the world around them. You’ll consider how children and adults develop language literacies, how individuals construct multilingual identities, and how knowledge is collaboratively produced in today’s digital world.

Block 2 explores the sociocultural and cognitive dimensions of language learning and teaching. You’ll analyse how policies and institutional practices influence communication patterns across different contexts.

Block 3 focuses on translation across languages, styles, and modalities in professional settings like marketing, law, and healthcare. You’ll also explore how people with diverse abilities creatively adapt language to communicate effectively with others.

Block 4 prepares you for your final assessment. You’ll learn how to design and structure a research proposal, conduct an interview and critically reflect on research methodologies.

By studying this module, you’ll strengthen key academic, communicative, and digital literacy skills that will help you successfully complete your postgraduate qualification and professionalise your career. The emphasis is on refining your academic writing, finding your voice, and developing skills to reflect on the broad range of topics covered. You’ll learn to combine evidence-based findings from academic research with your own perspectives and experiences, as well as apply insights to shape your future career.

You will learn

You’ll learn about the latest concepts, themes and methods used in applied linguistics research and become familiar with current debates in the field and how they relate to wider political, economic and social developments. You’ll also develop an awareness of research ethics and build critical connections between theory and practice. Throughout the module, you’ll enhance your skills for producing and presenting written texts – and develop skills in independently evaluating relevant literature and planning research projects – essential preparation for the final stage of your master’s degree.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

  • marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
  • guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
  • facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Course work includes

3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment

Future availability

Applying linguistics in society starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2032.

Regulations

As a student of 快猫视频, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our website.

Entry requirements

To study for this postgraduate module you must hold a bachelors degree from a UK university or another recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at an equivalent level.

If you are studying towards the MA in Linguistics (F97), you must have successfully completed L804 or have equivalent prior experience.

As our modules are taught in English, your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study in the UK. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you have a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the  for details.

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 Oct 2025 Jun 2026 拢2910.00

Registration closes 11/09/25 (places subject to availability)
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2032.

Future availability

Applying linguistics in society starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2032.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

Ways to pay for this module

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how much it’s going to cost and how you can pay.

That’s why we keep our fees as low as possible and offer a range of flexible payment and funding options, including a postgraduate loan, if you study this module as part of an eligible qualification. To find out more, see Fees and funding.

Study materials

What&/postgraduate/modules/l805/39;s included

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a week-by-week study planner
  • module materials and study resources
  • audio and video recordings
  • accessibility guide
  • assessment area which will include the assessment guide; assessment questions and guidance; plagiarism guidance; assessment handbook
  • tutorials area which will include links to to the Adobe Connect rooms.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be fully accessible using a screen reader, particularly foreign language materials, where applicable. Other alternative formats of the module materials may become available in the future.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our .

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