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LING30210

Academic Year 2026/2027

World Englishes (LING30210)

Subject:
Linguistics
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Bettina Migge
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module critically examines the nature of contemporary English, focusing on 'lesser' known, newly emergent, post-colonial and widely used varieties of English. It examines the socio-political and socio-cultural role(s) of English across societies and the historical and socio-cultural forces that have shaped and continue to sustain the spread and maintenance, but also the rejection of English around the world. Students assess theoretical models about the spread and historical development of English in post-colonial contexts and compare them to models that deal with English in contexts that were not subject to British or US colonialism. The module furthermore invites students to consider the effects that the spread of English has on other languages, on traditional norms and standards and on current understandings of what constitutes English. Students also discuss how varieties of English can be differentiated from English-lexified Creoles. In terms of structural aspects, the module invites students to identify and describe, using appropriate linguistic terminology, the nature of variation that exists across varieties of English on several levels of grammar (phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, sociolinguistics) and the linguistic processes involved. Throughout the term, student carry out individual research on one variety of English of their choice using academic literature to deepen their understanding of the issues discussed in class. Students select a variety by week four, identify relevant academic literature and discuss findings at different points throughout the module before submitting the final paper.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Critically explore:
- the diversity in English as a particular instance of the diversity in language
- the historical, social and linguistic processes that shape the contemporary nature of a language
- the social and linguistic effects that languages have on each other in terms of structure and usage
- language standards and their role and understandings in contemporary life
- academic theories about the historical development and propagation of languages such as English
- current educational and political responses to the dominance of English
Analyse the relationship between linguistic variability and social-cultural identity.
Assess the similarities and differences between related outcomes of language contact.
Apply linguistic concepts to describe varieties of English and to analyse specific lingusitic features.
Know how to identify genuine academic literature, how to obtain information from it and how to develop academic papers and arguments.
Students are not to use AI tools.

Indicative Module Content:

Variation and diversity in language, language and society, language policies, International English, Teaching approaches to English, the structure of English, language and identity

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 3

Reduce inequality within and among countries 3
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

56
Lectures

24
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module combines a number of different teaching approaches:
face-to-face lectures,
group work,
group and plenary discussions
group and individual activity-based learning
critical reflection of data sets/scenarios

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LING20060 - World Englishes


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Group Work Assignment: In the middle of the semester and towards the end of the semester, students will work on terminology and practice referencing and descriptive skills in small groups. Week 5, Week 10 Graded No
35
 No
Individual Project: Students critically assess the history & sociolinguistics of 1 English variety, give an overview of its distinctive linguistic features & discuss 2 in detail based on an assessment of current research Week 12 Graded No
60
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Throughout the trimester students must interact with activities and readings on Brightspace Week 12 Graded No
5
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 30 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
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