Languages and Language in Use

Postgraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
EDUC 5057
Course ID icon
Course ID
203613
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
Adelaide University
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Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course considers concepts of ‘language’ and ‘languages’, including systems of language and the social and cultural contexts in which languages are developed and used. Students will be introduced to theories of language to develop their understanding of languages as meaning-making systems through which the world is shaped and interpreted. Students will explore language variation through the concepts of plurilingualism and translanguaging, and key social variables such as gender, age, and social class. They will explore language use through global, national and local perspectives to understand language diversity in all communities, and to reflect on their own language identities and knowledges. 

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand how language(s) change across time and space based on a range of socio-cultural circumstances
  • Demonstrate how language-and-culture are integrally related
  • Critically analyse how conceptualisations of language-and-culture are informed by a variety of theoretical positions
  • Distinguish elements of language and how they vary across languages

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

Burridge, K., & Stebbins, T. N. (2019). For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press , Jones, R. H., & Themistocleous, C. (2022). Introducing Language and Society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Assessment

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.