Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication

Birkbeck: London's evening university

Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication

World-leading research and teaching on the structure, functions and contexts of human language

Our staff

Our research

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Qualification Type

Undergraduate
(BA, BSc, LLB)

Postgraduate
(MA, MSc, LLM, MRes)

Certificate of higher education

Short course

MPhil/PhD research

Our research

Find out more about the world-leading and internationally excellent research taking place in our Department.

Our staff

Our academics are world-class, internationally renowned experts, who bring the latest research into their teaching.

Study here

We offer courses in linguistics and language, intercultural communication, language teaching, TESOL, education and lifelong learning.

Contact us

Get in touch with us if you have any queries about studying, researching, working or collaborating with us.

About us

Established in 1965, our Department was the first in England to focus on the study of applied linguistics - and we continue to lead the field.

Current students

Current students can find all the information they need from our online learning environment, Moodle.

Meet our staff

"Our staff are researching aspects of multilingualism that our students are experiencing. Their insights can lead to new ideas."

Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele

Find out more

Research centres and networks

Our academics and researchers work together through centres and networks, which facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

Student funding

Securing funding for your studies will be a key concern and we are committed to providing the advice and support you need.

Become an MPhil/PhD student

Find out about how to become an MPhil/PhD student in our department.

Birkbeck in the media

Birkbeck staff regularly feature in the media - find out about our latest coverage.

Our publications

Our academics publish widely - check our repository to find out about our publications.

50th anniversary

In 2015, we marked the 50th anniversary of our Department with an international conference, a lecture series, and a formal dinner.

Birkbeck College Applied Linguistics Society

The Birkbeck College Applied Linguistics Society brings together students interested in applied linguistics and communications and related fields.

Find us on Facebook

Join our Facebook community to keep up to date with news, events and research projects.

News from our department

Find out more about activities in our department, our achievements and our research.

The power of swearwords: a taster lecture

How powerful are swearwords? Find out in this sample lecture, delivered by Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele of the Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication.

Find out more about our research

Birkbeck welcomes Chair of the Mechanics Institute Victoria, Australia

The College started out as a Mechanics Institute, nearly 200 years ago

Congratulations to incoming students

A warm welcome to all students collecting their exam results today and beginning their journeys at Birkbeck. There are still places left on many courses through clearing - go to bbk.ac.uk/clearing or call 020 3907 0700 to apply, and come along to our Clearing Open Day on Saturday to see why more people are choosing evening study at Birkbeck.

Collaboration between the insurance industry and policy makers key to climate change response

Research led by Birkbeck's Department of Management and the Cass Business School recommends adaptation of insurance industry in background paper prepared for Global Commission on Adaptation.

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Get Started: Studying at University

21 August 2019
18:00 — 19:30

Birkbeck Main Building

Open Evening for Late Applicants

12 September 2019
16:30 — 19:00

Birkbeck Main Building

Graduate Diploma International Foundation Programme Induction Dept of Applied Linguistics and Communication

27 September 2019
15:00 — 17:00

Birkbeck Main Building

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Comment

Tripadvisor for linguists

Professor Penelope Gardner-Chloros went to southern Italy in search of a rare and dying Greek dialect 'Griko' and met one of the last native speakers.

Podcast

Raising Multilingual Children

Professor Jean-Marc Dewaele talks about how multilingualism can benefit children and societies and debunks some of the common myths about multilingual child-rearing.

Comment

From ‘Go back to China’ to ‘Where are you really from?’

Professor Zhu Hua discusses the language of nationality and ethnicity in everyday interactions.