Children's Language in Northern Ireland: a comprehensive profile and needs analysis

Summary

Project context

Children acquire language quickly, progressing from babbling to single words to complex sentences within a few short years. Language skills continue to develop throughout primary and secondary school, and play a key role in engagement with core subjects, e.g. reading and mathematics.

Language skills vary widely by age, but can also depend on numerous external factors. Understanding these factors can therefore have important implications for interacting areas that depend on language, especially in education settings. However, the literature on external factors is highly mixed, depending on how these factors are operationalized, and how language skills are measured (Logue et al., 2024, 2025).

Moreover, much of this literature focuses on majority language contexts, producing an evidence base that may not accurately reflect under-represented populations – both in terms of languages and language varieties, and for multilingual language development (Gregory & Oetting, 2018).

Project aims and outputs

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.

Project partner: Children in Northern Ireland

The project will be delivered in collaboration with Children in Northern Ireland, who will facilitate connections with stakeholders throughout NI to achieve the project aims.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000 (approximately) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available to home candidates, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.