Masters Degrees (Applied Linguistics)

Qualify for the 21st century with a Master of Applied Linguistics. As globalisation expands, so does the demand for people with intercultural communication skills to reach wide audiences. Applied linguistics is one of the fastest-growing fields of study in the humanities. The course offers a competitive advantage to language teachers, interpreters, editors and other people working with language in increasingly multilingual and multicultural societies, such as Australia. Two specialisations are available: General applied linguistics and Teaching world Englishes for international communication. Our program ranked No. 17 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2014.

The Master of Applied Linguistics broadens your knowledge of how language works in the context of globalisation, with opportunities for research and internships. Applied linguistics has become widely recognised for its ability to solve language-related problems at both the micro and macro levels.

Our multilingual and multicultural classes stimulate lively discussion about the differences between languages and language-learning experiences, and how these relate to the theories and issues covered in the unit. Classes are taught by leading scholars in their field. Monash is renowned for its expertise in Japanese applied linguistics, as well as Australian and Austronesian languages.

Applied linguistics at Monash has an international reputation for producing top graduates, particularly in the areas of Japanese applied linguistics, English as an international language, and the study of multilingualism more broadly. Graduates work in mono- and multi-lingual settings, with careers as language teachers, language-education and assessment experts, speech pathologists, interpreters and translators. They work in industries where language and communication are crucial; for example, in the health areas of speech therapy and speech pathology, or in the engineering or computational fields related to language and speech technology, such as speech recognition and synthesis.

Visit the website http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/applied-linguistics-a6001?domestic=true

Overview

Please select a specialisation for more details:

- General applied linguistics
The General applied linguistics specialisation offers an overview of the many areas of applied linguistics, giving you a strong understanding of language structure and use across a variety of languages.

In the core units, you explore the sounds and grammar of Australian English and how these differ from other English varieties and languages. You also learn how we use language differently according to context and how language varies between different social groups. In elective units, you specialise in areas such as literacy, second-language acquisition or language and identity.

- Teaching world Englishes for international communication
By looking at the significance of intercultural communication, the Teaching world Englishes for international communication specialisation gives you a new perspective on the use of English in today's globalised world, in both academic and professional contexts. You will examine the theory and practice of teaching English as an international language. You will also come to understand the implications of the global spread of English and the development of world Englishes.

Course Structure

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Foundations for advanced applied linguistics studies, Part B. Core Master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

[Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.]

PART A. Foundations for advanced applied linguistics
These studies will provide an orientation to the field of applied linguistics at graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

PART B. Core Master's study
These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of applied linguistics practice and research. You will gain a critical understanding of theoretical and practical issues relating to applied linguistics, including second/foreign language acquisition, language teaching, language contact and intercultural communication. Your study will focus on your choice either of Applied linguistics or Teaching world Englishes for international communication.

PART C. Advanced expertise
The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options.

The first option is a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests.

The second option is a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this Masters course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a discipline cognate to applied linguistics, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

For more information visit the faculty website - http://www.study.monash/media/links/faculty-websites/arts

Find out how to apply here - http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/applied-linguistics-a6001?domestic=true#making-the-application

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Applied Linguistics at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The Department of English Language and Literature welcomes applications from students wishing to pursue graduate level research at MA level in Applied Linguistics, particularly topics in second language acquisition, bilingualism, vocabulary learning, corpus linguistics and discourse analysis.

MA by Research in Applied Linguistics

The MA by Research in Applied Linguistics would suit those wanting the freedom to explore a topic of their choosing under the close supervision of two experienced academics but without attending regular classes as required in taught programmes; an MA qualification in niche areas where taught programmes are not offered; the experience of a research degree without committing to a PhD at the outset. Research proposals are invited on any topic in Applied Linguistics for which staff can provide supervision. It is advisable to email a member of academic staff in the appropriate area before applying.

Key Features of Applied Linguistics MA by Research

An MA by Research in Applied Linguistics gives you the chance to pursue a project inspired entirely by your own particular interests in Applied Linguistics. The qualification would be a good preparation for proceeding to doctoral work. Alternatively, the proven ability to conduct independent research in Applied Linguistics will boost employment prospects in the area of English language teaching, but also outside academia (for example, in the media, publishing, the Civil Service, or education).

As a student of the Applied Linguistics programme you will be closely supervised by two experienced academics in your field. Typically, you will meet them fortnightly in the first term and at regular intervals thereafter. Meetings are logged and goals agreed each time. All research students in Applied Linguistics are required to attend skills and training courses at College and Institutional level. They give presentations to other research students and staff at departmental seminars and the annual departmental postgraduate symposium in June and the College of Arts and Humanities conference in October. MA by Research in Applied Linguistics typically last from one year (full-time study) to two years (part-time study).

Postgraduate Research

About 70 of the postgraduates currently studying at Swansea University’s Department of English Language and Literature [ELL] are researchers working on an MA, MPhil or PhD thesis. Each is supervised by two members of staff, 60% of whose own research publications were rated ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ in the 2008 REF exercise. We supervise interdisciplinary projects as well as traditional areas of the discipline - in language studies, creative writing, literature (from medieval to the present) and critical and cultural theory. If you have an idea for a research project in Applied Linguistics, do get in touch and discuss it with us informally before applying.

Postgraduates often join a research centre, e.g. the Centre for Research into Gender and Culture (GENCAS) or the Centre for Research into Welsh Writing in English (CREW) where they work alongside other students and staff in dedicated research rooms. As a student of the Applied Linguistics programme you will present your work in the friendly environment of our Research Institute’s annual postgraduate conference, ELL’s fortnightly research seminars, and the monthly workshop of the Creative Writing Programme. Our research environment was judged 100% ‘internationally excellent’ by the 2008 REF, and research students help staff organise a lively programme of conferences, readings and performances on campus and in the city’s arts centres. As well as being inducted into academic research and dissemination, doctoral students have the opportunity to undertake undergraduate teaching to prepare them for an academic career. We provide study stations with computers and postgraduate common-rooms, research training and the services of a research officer and subject librarian.

REF 2014

What the Research Excellence Framework 2014 had to say about Postgraduate research in the Swansea Department of English Language and Literature …

The environment in the Department is conducive to producing research of mostly at least internationally excellent and at its best world-leading quality’…

‘Arrangements for postgraduates were deemed of world-leading quality’

‘There is clear evidence of the development of a research culture into which research students are fully integrated’

‘Recruitment is strong’

‘There are excellent arrangements for support, training and employability’.

Summing up: ‘The unit makes an outstanding contribution to the health of the discipline’.

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The Cross-Cultural Communication and Applied Linguistics MA provides theoretical, research and practical training in areas of international and intercultural communication. It also provides training on the analysis of language in use, in a variety of settings and on the teaching and learning of English as a second language.

The Applied Linguistics Pathway is a specialism on the Cross-Cultural Communication MA. It is designed for students who wish to combine the study of cross-cultural communication (CCC) with the study of language as it is used in a wide range of settings. If you are interested in gaining knowledge and expertise in the new approaches and techniques for teaching English as a second or foreign language you would also benefit from this course.

This specialist pathway is delivered by academic staff in applied linguistics and communication within the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences. It offers a wide range of optional modules in the areas of applied linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

You will have the opportunity to develop:
-An understanding of the theories, principles, concepts and methodologies in applied linguistics and TESOL
-A critical awareness of key issues or debates concerning teaching and learning English as a second/foreign language
-In-depth knowledge of methodologies and techniques applicable to research in areas of applied linguistics and TESOL, including corpus linguistics, multimodal analysis, discourse analysis and conversation analysis.

The applied linguistics academic staff have teaching and research expertise in:
-Second language acquisition
-Discourse analysis
-Classroom interaction
-Multimodal interaction
-Teaching and learning English through media and technology
-Teacher development

If you are interested in a career in language teaching, but have little or no previous teaching experience, this pathway offers the option of introductory modules in TESOL. These provide a thorough grounding in the practical skills and knowledge for language teaching and learning.

Work experience

You are encouraged to apply your research interests to real world case studies, particularly of international organisations or workplaces with which you have a connection.

For example, your empirical project submitted in research file three can be in connection with voluntary work (for a charity or NGO) or an internship, arranged over the summer towards the end of the course.

As a part time student you can conduct a research project of relevance to your employer and/or industry.

Pathway

The Cross-Cultural Communication MA has six specialist pathways:
-Applied Linguistics
-Education
-International Management
-International Marketing
-Media
-International Relations

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences you'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:
-A well-stocked Education Resource Centre
-Language Analysis Lab
-A phonetics lab
-An audio-video lab
-A recording studio

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For individuals with more than 2 years English language teaching experience, this course offers a comprehensive critique of the key concepts and theories that lie behind language teaching. You will take a critical professional perspective towards TESOL and Applied Linguistics in a global, cultural, political and educational context.

Language is embedded in the social, cultural, personal, and interpersonal processes of human life, with complex forms and patterns that constantly develop to help us communicate more effectively. Thus, you will be encouraged to think of language as more than a set of rules. Instead, you will recognise language use as a complex process with personal, social and educational consequences, and you will acquire the knowledge and skills required to reflect critically upon your own language teaching practice.

This course can be taken part time and has start dates in January, for more information, please view the relevant web-page below:
January 16 months full time - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/applied-linguistics-for-tesol-dtfalf6/

September 2 years part time - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/applied-linguistics-for-tesol-dtpalt6/

January 28 months part time - https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/applied-linguistics-for-tesol-dtpalf6/

Learn From The Best

Our staff have extensive practical experience of both teaching and teacher training and they have strong connections with the professional (English) language teaching community in the UK and overseas.

You will benefit from the vast research experience of the teaching team. While much of our current research relates to the teaching and learning of language, we also explore a broader range of applied linguistic topics including: discourse analysis and representations of culture; the spread of English and Englishes around the world; educational linguistics and the internationalisation of UK Higher Education; and second language acquisition.

Cutting-edge research undertaken by the Applied Linguistics and TESOL team has been published in leading journals in the field and our lecturers are regularly invited to present their research around the world.

Teaching And Assessment

Our MA combines exciting subject-specific content with an emphasis on development of independent analytical and research skills, supported by knowledgeable, research-active staff.

Our learning and teaching strategy is designed to deliver a stimulating and student-centred environment through a combination of lectures, seminars, group workshops and individual tutorials. The range of subject-specific modules has been developed to help you acquire the core skills appropriate to the study of TESOL and Applied Linguistics and the course culminates in a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words.

Our team offers a progressively challenging and rewarding experience, integrating the teaching of fundamental issues in Applied Linguistics and TESOL with the up-to-date findings of research conducted by the teaching team.

Learning Environment

You will engage with a range of technology enhanced learning (TEL) activities that support the learning and teaching principles, including a virtual learning environment that delivers specific course and module information, a range of course-related activities and online interactive reading lists. You will also have access to scholarly databases and can submit coursework electronically.

Our staff constantly seek to develop new ways of engaging with technology, including the use of mobile technology, tablet devices, and social media in both directed and independent learning to improve individual and group interaction. Engagement with TEL throughout the course will prepare you for the increasing importance of technology in the teaching of TESOL and Applied Linguistics.

Research-Rich Learning

Research, informed by our wide-ranging staff interests, is embedded throughout the course. We specifically recruit students of a high calibre with a view to further develop intellectual and professional interests through a lifelong engagement with the subject matter. You will engage with advanced theory, professional development at a high level, and critical reflection on methodological assumptions within the field.

The modules combine exciting content with an emphasis on the development of independent analytical and research skills, supported by knowledgeable team members with links to the English Language Teaching Journal (Oxford University Press), British Association of for Applied Linguistics (BAAL), International Cognitive Linguistics Association (ICLA), International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and the British Council.

We encourage postgraduates to manage their own research projects as a preparation for possible independent research at doctoral level.

Give Your Career An Edge

Employability is woven into the course at all stages to develop your lifelong learning, critical skills and attitudes, presentation skills, and reflective and evaluative abilities.

You will improve skills in motivation, show initiative and personal responsibility, be capable of making decisions in complex situations, and possess a thirst for independent learning. You will have demonstrated a critical awareness of the current research and scholarship within your discipline, helping you to interpret knowledge in a variety of professional fields. In addition, the course will strengthen your communication skills, media literacy, self-management and planning, ethical and professional understanding, as well as developing your research and inquiry skills.

Your Future

The MA has been designed to enhance promotion prospects, fulfilling industry demands for highly qualified graduates with the skills to work across a variety of professions – most notably English Language teachers and teacher trainers, managers, course planners, government advisers, inspectors, material developers and consultants. The course is also ideal for those looking to move into professional research, publishing and editing, and educational management. There is constant demand both in the UK and overseas for Applied Linguistics and TESOL graduates in other language-related professions, such as the media, the helping professions, communication, publishing and editing.

Employment prospects for those holding the MA Applied Linguistics for TESOL qualification are excellent and graduates have gone on to good careers as English teachers overseas or in their home countries.

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This MA explores language from a wide range of perspectives. It is designed to develop understanding of key concepts and issues related to applied linguistics and English language education globally, while also engaging students in the theoretical and empirical investigation of real-world situations, contexts and issues in which language plays a crucial role.

Degree information

This programme will provide students with insight into applied linguistics and language education from global, bilingual, cognitive, discourse, and socio-cultural perspectives. It will also develop students' capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise primary and secondary sources as well as helping them to design research.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core module (30 credits), three optional modules (90 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

For a PG Diploma the requirement is one core module (30 credits) and three optional modules (90 credits). For a PG Certificate the requirement is one core module (30 credits) and two optional modules (60 credits).

Core module - the core module for the MA Applied Linguistics is Discourse, Society and Culture (30 credits):
-Discourse, Society and Culture

Optional modules (indicative list) - up to 90 credits of options drawn from the following:
-English in Diverse World Contexts
-Fundamentals of Second and Foreign Language Teaching
-Intercultural Communication
-Language and Identity
-Language Teacher Identity and Development
-Language Testing
-Materials Development for Language Teaching
-The Multilingual Classroom
-Second Language Acquisition
-Education and Development in Asia
-Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
-Contemporary Issues in English Education
-Early Childhood Education
-Internet Cultures: Theory and Practice
-Literacy Development
-Perspectives on Adult Literacy, Language and Numeracy
-Technology and Education Beyond the Classroom
-Theoretical Foundations of Educational Ideas
-Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) Module I

Dissertation/research project
All students are required to write a 2,500-word research proposal which leads to the submission of a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic in applied linguistics.

Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, projects, supervisory tutorials, student presentations, and student-led discussions. Within tutor-led sessions, students often engage in individual, pair and group tasks which are then fed back to the plenary. Students are assessed through written coursework, oral presentation, and the dissertation. Alternative modes of assessment may be a feature of some modules.

Careers

Graduates of this programme include university and college lecturers, senior managers and directors of study in private and state sector schools, textbook and materials writers, editors and publishers, education journalists, NGO project officers, education consultants, policy advisers and researchers, and consultants in the aviation industry.

Employability
This programme not only provides an outstanding foundation for those hoping to undertake PhD research and pursue an academic career, but is also popular with students wishing to go into education or develop their career internationally. Small group discussions and debates on the programme help students to acquire strong presentation and negotiation skills. Likewise, the analytical and research skills gained by students are highly valued by employers from a range of sectors. There are many additional activities available, both within the department and the wider UCL community, to help students focus on employability skills whilst they here, for example departmental talks and other networking opportunities.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Department of Culture, Communication and Media (CCM) is committed to excellence in teaching, research and consultancy across a range of areas including applied linguistics.

One of the key aims of UCL Institute of Education’s Centre for Applied Linguistics is to seek external funding for high-quality research and consultancy in the broad field of applied linguistics, including discourse analysis, bilingualism and multilingualism, second language acquisition, intercultural communication, linguistic ethnography, semiotics, and language-in-education policy and practice, and undertake such research.

It also aims to provide research input into teaching programmes and doctoral supervision in areas of applied linguistics and global English language education.

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The postgraduate programme in applied linguistics and communication began at Birkbeck in 1965, making it one of the oldest and most established linguistics courses in the world. It is unique, as it provides students with opportunities to explore many topics in applied linguistics and communication in a comprehensive and interdisciplinary manner. Furthermore, lecturers specialise in various areas of multilingualism and multiculturalism, offering a range of modules to suit individual interests.

You first complete 2 compulsory modules - Introduction to Applied Linguistics and Research Methods and Design - but then you are able to choose from a range of option modules, including, for example: Second Language Acquisition; Bilingualism; International Management Communication; Sociolinguistics; Language, Culture and Communication; Language Teaching and Learning in a Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts; and Linguistic Description and Corpus Application.

The core module Research Methods and Design aims to equip you with professional and technical knowledge in qualitative and quantitative research methods. It will also prepare you for undertaking your own empirical and/or theoretical research into language and language behaviour in the form of an extended literature review or dissertation.

The programme aims to introduce you to multiple sub-domains and topics that reflect the research interests of staff, e.g. code-switching, first and second language acquisition, intercultural communication, language pedagogy and assessment, language impairment, language policy, language and identity, corpus linguistics, and speech production and perception.

All academic staff are active in state-of-the-art teaching and research. Applied linguistics and communication at Birkbeck enjoys a strong international reputation for its quality teaching and research.

The programme is suitable for people with diverse career goals: those who wish to further their career prospects and professional development, or those who have an interest in doctoral research and aspire to work in higher education. In particular, the programme is beneficial for those who do not have specific research interests at the beginning of their degree, but who intend to identify and focus on an area of research after exploring various disciplines in applied linguistics and communication and immersing themselves in the research and learning culture of a renowned department.

Our students work in a rich research environment that is supported by excellent resources, including a multimedia library and computing facilities. We have a large MPhil/PhD community and this programme offers the opportunity to progress to our integrated PhD programmes in Applied Linguistics, Intercultural Communication, Language Teaching or TESOL.

Our postgraduate students join a vibrant and diverse community supported by the Birkbeck College Applied Linguistics Society, which is student run. There is an annual Postgraduate Student Research Conference which is organised by the Society every summer. In addition, the Research Centre for Multilingual and Multicultural Research hosts a lecture series given by international visiting scholars. Birkbeck also actively collaborates with the larger community of applied linguists throughout University of London colleges. The Institute of Education, School of Oriental and African Studies and University College London are all within walking distance in Bloomsbury, as well as King's College London. The British Library and the British Museum are also a short walking distance away.

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Applied linguistics aims to investigate real-world phenomena in which language plays a central role. At MPhil/PhD level, we aim for you to make the transition into a fully fledged, independent academic researcher, with the skills necessary to present your research orally as well as in writing, in addition to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge. Such independence is achieved on the basis of a full appreciation of the hallmarks of good scholarship, such as original thought, the proper use of references and background material, appropriate use of methodology and accountable reporting procedures, and it is these priorities that we aim to impart to our students.

Once equipped with the generic and discipline-specific tools for carrying out research, you will pursue your particular research interests, supported by regular meetings with your supervisor and presentations and attendance at MPhil/PhD seminars.

Current research centres around: bilingualism and multilingualism; child language development; second language acquisition; psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics; sociolinguistics; cross-cultural pragmatics; discourse and conversation analysis; intercultural communication; language teaching; and translation theory.

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

- Arts and humanities courses at Birkbeck are ranked third best in London and 11th in the UK in the Times Higher Education 2015-16 World University Subject Rankings.

- The Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication was established in 1965, making it the first department in England to focus on the study of applied linguistics. It has contributed greatly to the field over the years and remains the only department of applied linguistics in the University of London.
- The department is an Institutional Member of the British Association of Applied Linguistics and an affiliated member of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA).
- It houses the Centre for Multilingual and Multicultural Research, and the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Taylor and Francis).
- The department has developed a distinctive academic identity and helped to redefine the field as a social science. It is not a department of conventional descriptive or theoretical linguistics, and does not engage in research and teaching of syntax, morphology, phonology, phonetics or linguistics of a particular language. Rather, it is concerned with real-life issues in which language and communication play a central role.

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The Masters programme in Applied Linguistics: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at York St John University gives you the opportunity to reflect on the similarities between your experience of learning and/or teaching English and the work of other applied linguists, including: translators and interpreters, speech and language therapists, dictionary writers, literacy teachers, language planners and forensic linguists.

Course detail

The programme is designed for both qualified and intending teachers of English to speakers of other languages. It attracts students from different parts of the world, who bring with them a diverse mix of educational backgrounds and experiences. This gives us a chance to increase our cross-cultural understanding and knowledge of teaching and learning contexts globally. Furthermore, using online forums, we aim to provide practical opportunities for you to interact with language professionals around the world.

We critically reflect on theories of, and research into, the problem of how best to learn and teach an additional language. We aim to help you improve your own research skills and encourage you to present and publish your findings to the English language teaching and applied linguistics community.

You will be taught by an experienced team of staff, including the authors of a ground-breaking new introduction to applied linguistics aimed at advanced students of the discipline (Hall, Smith & Wicaksono, 2011).

Our students tell us that the York St John University MA Applied Linguistics: TESOL is a challenging and useful experience. I look forward to welcoming you onto our programme in the near future.

Format

The programme is designed to be studied either full-time over 12 months or part-time (through evening classes or day release) over a maximum of 5 years. If you are unable to complete the Masters degree, you may work for the intermediate award of Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in TESOL. The programme offers a September or January start.

Modules

• Themes in Applied Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• Language Teaching Methodology
• Research in Applied Linguistics
• Dissertation

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see the following link:
https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

Other sources of funding

Information on alternative sources of funding can be found here:
https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/student-services/money/funding-my-course/postgraduate-/postgraduate-funding-/

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This one-year Master's programme focuses on foreign language teaching. It offers theoretical insights to help assess language-teaching methods and applied linguistics research. You will study the process of learning and the use of second languages. The programme allows you to focus your research on your language of choice, for instance Dutch as a second language, but also French, German, Swedish, Chinese, or any other language.
You will approach second language acquisition from many different angles, including psychology, social interaction and language teaching. You will be introduced to the field of linguistics, language acquisition and language teaching theory.
The program focuses especially on Dynamic System Theory, which explains how cultural differences become bodily differences. You will learn about the social, cultural and political processes that play a role in using a language or that may cause the use of a second language to decline. You will explore didactic applications of recent research and theoretical developments, and learn about computer assisted language learning.

Why in Groningen?

The MA Applied Linguistics at the University of Groningen is a unique programme focussing on the processes involved in second language learning, as well as teaching theories. The programme encompasses various fields of study, as learning and using a second language may be approached from many different angles. Students will explore and discuss the factors that relate to second language development, including cognition, psychology, social interaction, language teaching, and culture.

In addition to theoretical and teaching paradigms, students will also take classes in the research practices and methodology essential for conducting applied linguistics studies and research. These classes will act as the foundation from which students will be able to conduct their own applied linguistics research in the form of the MA thesis in Semester 2.The MA Applied Linguistics is a truly international programme, welcoming students from all over the world. The classes are taught entirely in English, and students are encouraged to use their own language experiences as the basis for their individual linguistic enquiries and research.Our degree programme is small, which means that students benefit from small, intimate classes and close collaborative relationships with the other students as well as instructors.

Job perspectives

After completing this programme, you can pursue a career in research, or set up language teaching projects. You are also equipped to take positions on the European level that deal with issues of language policy.

Job examples

- Linguist (L2)
- language research
- language education
- language policy
- language testing
- curriculum development
- publishing

Research in Applied Linguistics focuses on the process of learning and using a second language. It covers various fields of study because learning and using a second language can be approached from many different angles, including cognition, psychology, social interaction, language teaching and culture.

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A specialised distance MSc in Applied Linguistics and TESOL/MFL

The MSc ALLT is a degree aimed at professionals of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or modern foreign languages, which is taught primarily via distance/online learning. This innovative two-year part-time course offers a cutting-edge introduction to the linguistic and pedagogic knowledge and skills needed for teaching language in higher education. 

While the concepts covered in the course can be applied to all languages in most contexts, there is a strong opportunity for students to specialize in the teaching of English language in university settings.

A low-residency course, it is characterised by intense online interaction and feedback, using a range of communication media. Its small-group teaching format pursues the Oxford tradition of demanding much of students and giving them much in return. 

Is this course for you?

Are you preparing students for university studies in an English-medium institution? Are you teaching English to students in arts, science or social science subjects who need to access literature in English in their discipline? Are you co-teaching at university level with content lecturers whose first language is not English? Are you aspiring to move on to teaching in one of the many university settings worldwide where English is important? If so, this course offers you a stimulating environment in which you can broaden your knowledge, deepen your understanding and sharpen your skills in contact with current research in applied linguistics.

What prior experience do you need?

Applicants are expected to have English teaching experience (normally at least one year), a willingness to reflect upon their teaching, and a commitment to work very hard undertaking an exciting intellectual endeavour.

How is the course taught?

The course is taught over two academic years, preceded by a week’s residential module in Oxford. Numbers on the course are kept low, to ensure quality of teaching and learning.

There are three distance-taught modules per year, spread over two eight-week terms from October to April. The assessment for each module comprises a take-home examination. In the third term of each year (May to July), students work on a dissertation project.

Students are admitted in the first instance as students on the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching. If you complete all the PGDip modules you may then progress to the MSc, subject to a satisfactory dissertation research proposal. You will then matriculate in absentia in Trinity term of your second year and complete your dissertation during that term, under the supervision of a member of the applied linguistics group.

Who teaches the course?

The tutor for this course is Dr. Heath Rose. Heath is an experienced teacher educator, having coordinated the M.Phil. in English Language Teaching at Trinity College Dublin before coming to Oxford, and previously having worked on The University of Sydney’s M.Ed in TESOL. Heath has been engaged in English Language Teaching since 1997, and has worked with students in university settings since 2003. In delivering the course, he combines this practical experience with his research background in second language teaching and learning. Heath is the co-author of Introducing Global Englishes (Routledge), and the forthcoming books Global Englishes for Language Teaching (Cambridge University Press), and Doing Research in Applied Linguistics (Routledge).

Heath will be supported by other lecturers and tutors in Oxford's applied linguistics research group, as well as a teaching assistant. This means that for each module there will always be two of three academics working with students and helping with learning questions and technical questions.

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The MA in Applied Linguistics is a programme that allows you to develop expertise in specific areas of linguistics, such as corpus linguistics, cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis and/or language pedagogy. The programme combines a range of core modules and optional modules to ensure that you develop a solid foundation in the discipline area whilst also having the flexibility to pursue your own specific research interests. This highly flexible programme is ideal for language professionals, or for those intending to become language professionals, in a range of possible careers.

The Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics at the University of Birmingham is a world-leading centre of excellence for both teaching and research in English Language and Applied Linguistics.

You will study two core modules:
Describing Language
Research Methods in Applied Linguistics

In the autumn term, you will choose two optional modules from a range which includes:

Social and Multimodal Aspects of Communication OR Social and Psychological Aspects of Language OR Psychological and Multimodal Aspects of Communication
Discourse, Culture and Communication
Syllabus and Materials Design
Exploring English Grammar

In the spring term, you will choose three further optional modules from a range which includes:

Cognitive Linguistics and Language Learning
Corpus Assisted Language Learning
Corpus Linguistics
English as a Global Language
Issues and Approaches in English for Academic Purposes
Intercultural Communication
Language and Gesture
Language and New Media
Language and the Senses
Language, Gender and Identity
Language Teaching Observation and Practice
Psycholinguistics in TESOL
Teacher Training
Vocabulary and Phraseology

About the School of English, Drama and American & Canadian Studies

"Welcome to the School of English, Drama and American & Canadian Studies, in the College of Arts and Law. This is one of the largest Schools in the College, and variety is our watchword. We offer one of the most extensive ranges of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the country. Our research expertise is equally diverse, and we welcome students and researchers from all over the world." - Professor Andrzej Gasiorek, Head of School

We particularly encourage creative thinking, with a range of pioneering programmes including Masters opportunities in Creative Writing, Film and Television and Shakespeare and Creativity. Our creative offerings are also strengthened by the development of our Department of Film and Creative Writing – established in 2015 – which has opened up exciting new opportunities for postgraduates to benefit from synergies between the two fields.

Our well-established Departments also provide an excellent environment for postgraduate study. The Department of Drama and Theatre Arts has a highly respected national and international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. We are also one of the leading centres for the postgraduate study of English in the UK, spanning language and literature. The Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics is a world-leading centre of excellence for both teaching and research in this field.

We are also proud to be home to the world-renowned Shakespeare Institute, based in Stratford-upon-Avon. Situated within walking distance of Shakespeare’s birthplace, school and grave, and the theatres of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), the Shakespeare Institute offers postgraduate students and scholars an academic experience unrivalled by any other university.

Funding and Scholarships

There are many ways to finance your postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. To see what funding and scholarships are available, please visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding

Open Days

Explore postgraduate study at Birmingham at our on-campus open days.
Register to attend at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit

Virtual Open Days

If you can’t make it to one of our on-campus open days, our virtual open days run regularly throughout the year. For more information, please visit: http://www.pg.bham.ac.uk

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Programme description

With a strong emphasis on developing skills and knowledge that can be applied in professional settings, this intensive programme draws on knowledge about language, how it works and how it affects real-life issues.

We were the first in the UK to offer a programme in applied linguistics, so you will benefit from a long-established tradition of teaching in this area, much of which is delivered by world-leading experts.

The programme offers a linguistic perspective on real-world problems of language in use, with relevance to a wide range of professional interests. You will explore how language is used in a variety of social settings, compare language variability with social diversity and examine how knowledge about language as it is actually used can impact on people’s lives.

Note that, unlike other programmes in Applied Linguistics, one topic that we do not concentrate on is teaching pedagogy. If you are more interested in the teaching side of Applied Linguistics, please see the MSc in Language Teaching http://www.ed.ac.uk/education/graduate-school/taught-degrees/language-teaching or the MSc in TESOL http://www.ed.ac.uk/education/graduate-school/taught-degrees/tesol.

Programme structure

This programme comprises two semesters of taught courses, followed by a dissertation. Four compulsory core courses provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of Applied Linguistics, while the optional courses offer you the opportunity to explore your areas of interest.

Compulsory courses:

Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Introduction to Discourse Analysis
Issues in Applied Linguistics
Introduction to Language Research

Optional courses may include:

Special Topics in Sociolinguistics
Language and Identity in Bilingual Settings
Discourse Studies
Second Language Acquisition
Topics in Grammar and Discourse
Global Englishes
Corpus Linguistics
Pragmatics

Learning outcomes

The programme aims to:

develop your relevant critical and analytical skills
prepare you for employment in the various spheres of social life where linguistics knowledge and skills play a significant part
help you develop interest in working at the interface between linguistics and other disciplines
prepare you for further study (PhD) in Applied Linguistic

At the end of the programme, you will be able to discuss issues of language description and use the knowledge you have acquired to address real-life problems, such as the teaching of languages and the use of language in specific institutional contexts.

Career opportunities

This programme has been designed to help progress your career as a linguist in academia or as a language expert in a variety of industries such as artificial intelligence.

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Course Outline

The MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL provides professional development and training in applied linguistics appropriate to more experienced teachers of English, including:

-A critical understanding of key issues and debates in many areas of applied linguistics and of how these relate to English Language Teaching.
-A body of knowledge that will enhance your ability to undertake language teaching at a range of levels and cultural and institutional contexts.
-The ability to reflect, analyse and critically evaluate language teaching and learning concepts and theories, and to understand and examine the assumptions underlying different classroom practices.
-The ability to analyse language in use from different perspectives relevant to language teaching and learning.
-The skills to undertake effective practitioner research in your specific area of interest.

We are one of the longest established providers of postgraduate studies in Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the UK. On this course you will join teachers from all over the world. You will also benefit from our active involvement in research in different areas of Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

We pride ourselves on the level of support we provide our distance learning students. Our award-winning library has world-class facilities for distance learning students. You will have full access to our other support services and will be assigned a personal tutor. Our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, offers a wide range of study support material, and you will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world.

If you have any questions about this course, join us for a live online chat with academic tutors and admissions staff.

Course Structure

Modules:
Second Language Teaching and Learning
Description of English
Language, Discourse and Society
Two option modules
Plus your Dissertation

(Please note: due to regular enhancement of the University’s courses, please refer to Leicester’s own website (http://www.le.ac.uk) or/and Terms and Conditions (http://www2.le.ac.uk/legal) for the most accurate and up-to-date course information. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with this information prior to submitting an application.)

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Course Outline

The MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is aimed at graduate teachers and other English Language Teaching professionals with at least two years' English language teaching experience who wish to further their academic and professional development.

This degree will provide you with:

A critical understanding of key issues and debates in many areas of applied linguistics and of how these relate to English Language Teaching.
A body of knowledge that will enhance your ability to undertake language teaching at a range of levels in different cultural and institutional contexts.
The ability to reflect, analyse and critically evaluate language teaching and learning concepts and theories, and to understand and examine the assumptions underlying different classroom practices.
The skills to undertake effective practitioner research in your specific area of interest.

We are one of the longest established providers of postgraduate studies in Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the UK. On this course you will join teachers from all over the world. You will also benefit from our active involvement in research in different areas of Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

If you have a particular interest in lexis (vocabulary), you can specialize in Lexical Studies. This involves taking both the 'Words and Dictionaries' and 'Corpus Approaches to Lexis' modules and writing your Dissertation on a related topic. This entitles you to an MA in 'Applied Linguistics and TESOL with Lexical Studies' when you graduate.

Course Structure

Core Modules:
Grammar Awareness
Language in Society
Phonology and Pronunciation
Second Language Teaching
Second Language Learning

Option Modules:

Choose one from:
Continuing Professional Development for English Language Teachers
Intercultural Communication
Words and Dictionaries

Plus two from:
Corpus Approaches to Lexis
Discourse Analysis
Language Testing and Assessment
Materials Design and Development
Psychological Issues in Language Learning

Plus your dissertation. In your third term you will undertake a dissertation in a subject of your choice. You will be supervised by a member of staff with expertise in your chosen area who will guide and support you.

(Please note: due to regular enhancement of the University’s courses, please refer to Leicester’s own website (http://www.le.ac.uk) or/and Terms and Conditions (http://www2.le.ac.uk/legal) for the most accurate and up-to-date course information. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with this information prior to submitting an application.)

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This course is for you if you need to improve your English language skills and subject knowledge of applied linguistics before going on to a Masters course. You improve your language fluency and academic vocabulary, develop your academic skills, and gain experience of western methods of teaching and learning so that you can progress onto a relevant Masters course in our Department of Language and Linguistics.

At Essex, you can progress onto our MA Applied Linguistics, or our MA TEFL/TESOL.

Our International Academy offers some of the best routes for international students to enter higher education in the UK. Our innovative courses and programmes have proved very successful with international students and have also attracted UK students because of the distinctive learning environment we offer.

If you are an international student, you may find that the education system in the UK is slightly different from other countries and, sometimes, that the transition to the British system can be challenging. Our courses help you to settle in and adapt to life in the UK.

Our applied linguistics modules examine topics related to second language acquisition and learning, and the principles of teaching English as a foreign language. They also deal with the relationship between learning a first and a second language, language aptitude, language teaching methods, techniques, materials and testing.

We have one of the largest and most prestigious language and linguistics departments in the world, a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which the majority of research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, placing us firmly within the Top 10 departments in the UK for research quality (REF 2014) and among the Top 150 departments on the planet (QS World University Rankings 2016).

You'll also be part of our Centre for Research in Language Development throughout the Lifespan (LaDeLi), a unique research centre specialising in all aspects of language learning and development.

Our expert staff

Our staff maintain excellent student-staff ratios with capped language-specific seminars.

In applied linguistics, Florence Myles, Monika Schmid, Sophia Skoufaki, Karen Roehr-Brackin, Adela Gánem-Gutiérrez, and Roger Hawkins focus on the learning of second and further languages, whilst Julian Good and Christina Gkonou focus on issues to do with the classroom teaching of English as a foreign language.

Specialist facilities

By studying within our International Academy, you will have access to all of the facilities that the University of Essex has to offer:
-We provide computer labs for internet research; classrooms with access to PowerPoint facilities for student presentations; AV facilities for teaching and access to web-based learning materials
-Our new Student Services Hub will support you and provide information for all your needs as a student
-Our social space is stocked with hot magazines and newspapers, and provides an informal setting to meet with your lecturers, tutors and friends

Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, you have access to a range of world-class facilities including:
-Weekly multilingual interpreting conferences, and workshops and field trips led by internationally renowned experts from the industry
-Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
-Our ‘Visual World’ Experimental Lab records response times and eye movements when individuals are presented with pictures and videos
-Our Eye-Tracking Lab monitors eye movement of individuals performing tasks
-Our Psycholinguistics Lab measures how long it takes individuals to react to words, texts and sounds
-Our Linguistics Lab has specialist equipment to analyse sound
-Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

Applied Linguistics with English for Academic Purposes - Graduate Diploma
-English for Academic Purposes
-Research Methods
-Second language learning
-Second Language Vocabulary: Learning, Teaching and Use
-Advanced English for Academic Purposes
-Extended English for Academic Purposes Project
-Literature and Language Teaching
-Language Development throughout the Lifespan

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