Linguistics for English Language Teaching MA

Program Overview

It equips students with the knowledge and skills to become effective language teachers or researchers, preparing them for careers in language education, research, and related fields. The program features a comprehensive curriculum combining core modules in linguistics, teaching methodologies, and research skills, along with optional modules allowing for specialization in areas such as second language acquisition, pragmatics, and syntax.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MA program bridges the gap between linguistic theory and language teaching practice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in language teaching or research.

• Gain expertise in language teaching methodologies and their application.
• Enhance research skills in language sciences.
It is not intended for those seeking vocational teacher training or classroom experience.

Course Structure:

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: 24 months

Modules:

Year 1 Compulsory Modules:

• Dissertation (Linguistics and Phonetics) (45 credits): This module allows students to conduct independent research on a linguistic topic of their choice.
• Foundations of Phonetics and Phonology (15 credits): This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of phonetics and phonology, exploring the sounds of language and their organization.
• Academic Skills in Linguistics (15 credits): This module equips students with essential academic skills for studying linguistics, including critical thinking, research methods, and effective communication.
• Methodology in Language Teaching (15 credits): This module explores various methodologies used in language teaching, examining their theoretical underpinnings and practical applications.
• Language Teaching in Practice (15 credits): This module provides practical experience in language teaching, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Year 1 Optional Modules:

• Second Language Acquisition (30 credits): This module examines the process of acquiring a second language, exploring factors that influence learning and the development of proficiency.
• Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis (30 credits): This module explores the study of language in context, examining how meaning is conveyed beyond the literal level and how language is used in social interactions.
• Topics in Syntax (30 credits): This module delves into advanced topics in syntax, exploring specific areas of sentence structure and their theoretical implications.

Assessment:

• Core Modules: Assessed through a variety of methods, including analysis tasks, practical assignments, exams, and portfolios.
• Optional Modules: May include research proposals, critiques, presentations, collaborative projects, and other assessments that introduce students to a range of research methods in linguistics.
• Dissertation: Assessed based on the student's independent research on a linguistic topic of their choice.

Teaching:

• Methods: Diverse and inclusive teaching methods are employed, including seminars, lectures, online learning, tutorials, and practicals.
• Faculty: Students are taught by expert academics, including lecturers, professors, industry professionals with extensive experience, and trained postgraduate researchers.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Language teacher or EFL instructor in schools and universities.
• Translator/interpreter.
• Computational linguist or natural language processing specialist.
• Forensic linguist.
• Speech and language therapist.
• Academic researcher or professor specializing in linguistics.
• Roles in publishing, editorial, market research, and intercultural training.

Other:

• Facilities: Students have access to extensive facilities, including a recording studio, specialist software, online corpora, a phonetics lab, and the Language Zone, a state-of-the-art space for language-based teaching materials.

UK fees: £12,000 (Total)

International fees: £25,750 (Total)