By the end of the course, students will be acquainted with the basic tools of modern linguistics. They will have been guided through a broad overview of the foundational levels of linguistics analysis (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics) and various sub-fields of the language sciences (pure and applied).

Ongoing assessment will be ensured by two mock exams that will be administered through the course. The exams are designed to (a) monitor academic progress, and (b) familiarise students with the final exam format and contents.

• Students will know how to use IPA to transcribe English words and other familiar languages.
• Students will know how to model phonological alternations by devising phonological rules.
• Students will know how to analyse the most common types of word structure.
• Students will know how to understand and manipulate simple phrase-structure rules.
• Students will be able to devise simple semantic and pragmatic analyses.
• Students will be able to understand and appreciate the current debates regarding topics such as the social variation of language, first and second language acquisition, brain and language, writing systems, and language technologies.
• Students will be able to apply the acquired problem solving skills to new issues both within and without the language sciences.

Practical exercises will give students the opportunity to improve their analytical skills. Current issues in the language sciences will be introduced and debated in class.

• Students will be able to exploit their improved pattern finding skills.
• Students will work both individually and as a group on the analysis of language data.

Students will be involved in classroom activities that will let them put to use their problem solving and team working skills.