Mission and overview

At the School of Languages and Cultures we specialise in teaching and research in major world languages and cultures. We are one of the largest Schools of language instruction in Australia with 50 full-time academic staff. We are committed to the highest standards of teaching and research in languages, the cultures in which they are spoken, in linguistics and applied linguistics and in translating and interpreting.

We pursue these studies in the interests of scholarship, promoting understanding of languages other than English, and developing linguistic and intellectual skills relevant to students' personal and professional goals.

In fulfilling this mission, we seek to:

• Develop in our students a proficiency in the language(s) of their specialisation; an understanding of cultural diversity, and in particular a sound knowledge of the cultural context of the language(s) studied; intercultural sensitivity, together with the perspectives and skills which promote intercultural communication; a capacity for critical thinking, and the ability to articulate ideas and arguments.
• Consolidate our position as a centre for excellence in research into languages and cultures within the faculty, university and the wider national and international contexts. 
• Enhance international perspectives and intercultural understanding throughout the university community. 
• Actively promote the knowledge and study of languages and cultures in the wider community.

Our staff specialise in researching and teaching both the science and applied uses of language in the disciplines of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, as well major world languages as they are used in context. We teach Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish, as well as Linguistics, and Applied Linguistics to students in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of International Studies, the concurrent Diploma in Languages, Diploma of Arts, and dual degree programs.

At postgraduate level we offer a NAATI-endorsed Masters programs in Translation and Interpreting, the Masters of Arts in  Translation and Interpreting (MATI). Students in this program have access to one of the top interpreter training facilities in Australia, equipped with simultaneous interpreting booths constructed to United Nations standards. We also offer a Master of Applied Linguistics which offers study in the fields of both Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Across these disciplines, research areas are broad with particular strengths in languages policy, communication across cultures, Australian Aboriginal languages, translation and interpreting, and second language studies. In addition, many of the School’s staff make significant contributions to the Faculty’s core research strengths of communication, media and cultural studies and literary studies, adding an international dimension to this research. 

Our linguists are world leaders, not only being part of a successful bid for an ARC Centre of Excellence but also prominent in winning two ARC Discovery grants and a DECRA award. Linguistics at UQ was ranked among the top-50 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

We are also a partner in the Brisbane Universities Language Alliance (BULA) which manages cross-institutional LOTE enrolments between UQ and the other two major Universities in south-east Queensland: the Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University.