The course aims to introduce students to the use of electronic corpora and databases containing authentic language for a variety of purposes (checking grammar or word choice, regional variation, research). Through practical examples, a number of available corpora will be examined with the perspective of considering language use as a context-dependent issue. The usefulness of methodical analysis of electronic resources is highlighted in the critical approach and assessment of prescriptive, rule-based notions of correct language.

Course work includes regular attendance of weekly sessions, reading of a selection of research articles, homework assignments and group discussions, and a final written course report.

N.B. In the autumn semester 2017, the course with was offered as a methodology course (ENGS3 Methods in Corpus Linguistics) with largely similar approach and content.