MA in Applied Linguistics

The course is aimed primarily at Language Teachers and other language professionals. The Masters in Applied Linguistics aims to provide a broad-based course of study in language description (language systems: grammar, lexis and phonology), theories of Applied Linguistics, theories of Second Language Acquisition, frameworks for the study of discourse, sociolinguistics, as well as specialist research skills for the empirical analysis of language in context. While its main focus is on the use and teaching of the English language in a global context, it will address a national and international need for professional development among language teachers and language professionals.

To offer the optimum flexibility, the course is offered in three possible delivery formats: face-to-face on campus, fully online or blended (a combination of face-to-face and online delivery).

Programme Structure

Typically, the course will run over three 12 week semesters. Typically, Semesters 1 and 2 will each have four taught modules (lectures and course work). Semester 3 will be dedicated to the writing of a dissertation. The three semesters can be taken back-to-back in one calendar year (September August), using the summer period for the dissertation module. Alternatively, the course can be taken over one and a half years. Part-time options are also available. Each module will involve ongoing assessment, such as essays and oral presentations. For those students opting for the blended and online delivery formats, the assessments will have online options for completion.

The aims of the MA in Applied Linguistics are to:

Enhance the professional knowledge of Language Teachers and language professionals by focusing on the core features of language (grammar, lexis and phonology.

Develop participants ability to utilise theoretical frameworks for the analysis of discourse to enhance their ability to address specific language-related real-world problems concerning the learning, use, teaching and assessment of language.

Provide a broad understanding of the key issues and debates in language teaching and learning.

Develop specialist skills in the empirical analysis of language in context using corpus linguistics.