Linguistics & Teaching English
Linguistics Concentration
Sounds, Words, Meanings, and More
The Linguistics concentration introduces students to the scientific study of human language, with a particular focus on English and applied language studies. It draws on a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches from various disciplines–from the humanities to the social sciences. The Linguistics concentration offers students the ability to study key theories in linguistics and second-language learning, functional aspects of language production and reception, and the impact of social and cultural factors on language use.
This concentration is excellent for students who have an interest in (applied) linguistics and teaching English as an additional language, as well as literature, writing, and education. It is ideal for students who wish to pursue graduate and professional programs related to language as well as those who wish to succeed in careers requiring analytical thought, effective communication, and an in-depth understanding of language.
To find out what classes you take in this concentration, take a look at the Linguistics Advising Check Sheet.
The Linguistics concentration offers you the opportunity to study:
Key aspects of language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse patterns
Two foreign languages
Theories and practices in linguistics and second-language learning and teaching
The relationships between linguistic variation and social and cultural variation
Path to My Major
Carli Houston (they/them) is an English major concentrating in Linguistics with a minor in Japanese.
Why did you choose to study English?
I chose the linguistics concentration because language in general has always fascinated me. I’ve loved learning new languages over the years and finding out how the sentence structures differ in each is such an incredible and complex design to me—truly amazing.
What do you love about your major & the English department?
My favorite thing about my major is the vast variety of classes that can be taken, and in any order. It’s not like some other majors where you must take a bunch of prerequisites before; you can easily adjust your schedule as needed. I love the English department because every one of my professors has been incredibly helpful to me and they’re always so caring.
Career path you're interested in pursuing?
After CSU I plan to move to Japan to pursue a career in teaching English! It’s really the main reason I went back to school in the first place; I have a huge love of the culture and language over there.
Explore & Engage
Course Highlights
- E 150: English Studies Symposium
- E 320: Introduction to the Study of Language
- E 324: Teaching English as a Second Language
- E 327: Syntax & Semantics
- E 329: Pragmatics & Discourse Analysis
Get Involved
Interested in joining a language club? Check out the website for the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures to browse club offerings.
Education abroad opportunities abound! Learn more about our faculty-led programs, including:
- Sustainable Energy Futures in Denmark
- Community Education and Health in Zambia
- Summer in Oxford, England
Make friends and create community! Connect with English majors through Inklings, our student-run English social club.
Career Paths
What can I do with this major?
Students who have chosen to major in English with a concentration in Linguistics have pursued careers in teaching English as a second language, information technology, law & policy-making, publishing, healthcare, and more.
Alumni have also enrolled in graduate and professional programs related to language theory and applied linguistics.
What Are Students Saying?
“I love that I have the opportunity to change the way people see things, to share my passion with other people. My friends joke that they hope one day they’ll be as excited about anything as I am about linguistics.”
~ Madison Van Doren, English Major: Linguistics
“I went into the Linguistics concentration with a pre-existing interest in languages and curiosity, but with little knowledge about linguistics other than the very surface-level information you learn at a young age. However, I have come to truly enjoy linguistics because it unveils the deeper world of language and its intricacies, while at the same time deepening my interest and appreciation for language and other cultures."
~ Justin Han, English Major: Linguistics
“I'm proud that with the help of my friend and fellow graduate, Jules, we founded the Korean Club at CSU to share Korean language and culture with the greater CSU campus. We’ve had a ton of fun planning meetings and participating in events.
After I graduate, I'll be moving to South Korea to teach English as a Second Language for a year! I love working with kids and I also love languages so I’m very excited to be combining those two aspects!"
~ Cairn Carr, English Major: Linguistics