Linguistics PhD opportunities

This project aims to develop a comprehensive language profile for children in Northern Ireland: how children’s language varies throughout primary school, which factors predict variation in children’s language, and how these factors are distributed throughout Northern Ireland.

This profile will provide an evidence base for a needs analysis to support children’s language skills, particularly those which support engagement with core subject areas. The needs analysis will inform recommendations for practitioners and policy-makers to foster environments that support language development across different backgrounds, from the very start of and throughout primary school.
Contacts:
– Dr Juliana Gerard – Ulster University
– Dr Ernest Purvis – Children in Northern Ireland (project partner)

The project aims at studying the profile and the needs of Newcomers and their learning outcomes through quantitative data analysis on a variety of existing free databases. For this reason, priority will be given to candidates who can prove experience using quantitative methods.

It also aims at studying current and prospective language policies at the national and regional level, as well as best practices at the international level. This project aims to transform the research and policy landscape for Newcomer children in NI, ensuring their needs are recognised and addressed.
Contacts:
– Dr Juliana Gerard – Ulster University
– Dr Michele Gazzola – Ulster University
– Dr Erin Early – Ulster University