Applied English Linguistics
Exploring the Major
Major Description: The Applied English Linguistics major involves a detailed study of the English language—its grammar, style, history, sounds, varieties, and more—combined with specialized training in an area of your choice that applies these elements of language. You can learn techniques for teaching English as a second language, master computer tools for interacting with language, study languag variation and its relationship to culture, or dive into historical English language and literature.
Students enrolled in the Applied English Linguistics major will choose from one of four options for a primary focus in the major and then a second from the same options for a secondary focus. Those options are:
- Linguistics computing
- TESOL (teaching english to speakers of other languages) and language acquisition
- Language in society
- Language in history
Course catalog: 554924 Program | BYU Catalog
Minors
Editing Minor: https://ling.byu.edu/editing-minor
Linguistics Computing Minor: https://ling.byu.edu/linguistic-computing-minor
Linguistics Minor: https://ling.byu.edu/linguistics-minor
TESOL Minor: https://ling.byu.edu/tesol-minor
Department Contacts
- Department chair: Dan Dewey https://hum.byu.edu/directory/dan-dewey
- Academic and professional development manager: Jon Cook jon_cook@byu.edu
- Substitution Coordinator: Brett Hashimoto brett_hashimoto@byu.edu
- Office: 4064 JFSB lingoffice@byu.edu 801-422-2937
- Faculty Advisors (Advisors are divided by last name alphabetically):
- A-E Don Chapman don_chapman@byu.edu
- F-J Brett Hashimoto brett_hashimoto@byu.edu
- K-O Lisa Johnson lisamorganjohnson@byu.edu
- P-T Joey Stanley joey_stanley@byu.edu
- U-Z Dallin Oaks dallin_oaks@byu.edu
Competencies and Careers
Competencies Developed in the Program
Students in the Applied English Linguistic programs can expect to develop strong Communication, Information Literacy, and Cultural Navigation competencies. Want to know more about these professional competencies?
Career Readiness
Common Career Fields
- English as a second language teacher
- Natural Language Processing
- Forensic Linguist
- Language consulting
- Localization
- Translator/Interpreter
- Language data analyst
- Speech-language pathologist
- CIA/NSA/FBI/Homeland Security
- Foreign Service
- Law
- Advertising/marketing
- Software
- Journalism
- Government administration/policy
- Professor
- Researcher
- Dialect coach
- Non-profit/social impact
- Technical writer/editor
Another great place to find jobs, summer jobs, and internships is:
Handshake: Check out job postings in a career field that interests you! Use Handshake, the ultimate job board for internships and entry level jobs. Use it to search for jobs, connect with alumni, and research companies.
Meet with your advisor!
- Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Jon Cook jon_cook@byu.edu
Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment
Student Success Stories
FAQ's
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Toggle ItemHow do I add the major?
The Applied English Linguistics major is an open-enrollment program, meaning there is no limit on how many students can be in it, and there is no special application process. To add the major, visit the MyMap website and click “Change Major Request” on your Student Summary page.
If you have questions, please contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center (located in 1041 JFSB) at 801-422-3541 or email your advisor jon_cook@byu.edu
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Toggle ItemCan I do one of the linguistic department minors with this major?
Yes! In fact, if you are choosing to do the TESOL track as your primary track, we would recommend you add the minor because you basically can complete a chunk of it through double counting. (12 hours can double count and 9 for the computational linguistics minor!)
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Toggle ItemCan I double major with this major?
BYU doesn’t do double majors, they do second majors. The difference is that you will have a primary major (which goes on your diploma) and a secondary major. It is quite common for students in our major to add a minor or a second major. Set up a meeting with your advisor to discuss the petition process if this is something that interests you.