Difference between english language and linguistics?

The distinction may be blurred.

Each may be studied in different ways.

For instance, if you are not fully proficient in English, you may study English as a foreign or second language.

In an English-speaking environment, the study includes literature and creative and technical writing. The mechanics of writing includes grammar, syntax, diction and style. The study may also include the study of dialects and accents and the recording of speech using the international phonetic alphabet.

As B. K. says, linguistics should be the study of language in general, although I know universities which offer linguistics courses that only apply linguistics methods to the English language.

To the list of branches of linguistics, I would add applied and forensic.

I have a degree and post-graduate work in English as well as advanced degrees in engineering. Because of my interest in languages and technical aptitude, I considered working for a degree in linguistics. I found a wide variety of quality in US universities. From their course descriptions, I think Georgetown has one of the best programs..

http://linguistics.georgetown.edu/graduate/phd-pro...

Look through the various links to get a good idea about the variety of possibilities.

An option for you might be to take a bachelors degree in English and advanced degrees in linguistics. Good luck!

My native language is English. I have worked professionally in German and Russian.

Studying the English language, means that you will study English. Linguistics is the scientific study of languages (in general) including the study of grammar, syntax, and phonetics - there are also other branches of linguistics such as sociolinguistics, dialectology, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, comparative linguistics, and structural linguistics.

There is no "better". Better for what? They are two completely different branches of study. One is the study of a particular language, the other is not.