Program Overview

Introduction to the BA Program in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

The BA in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies (ALDS) is a program offered by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. This program opens doors to a variety of careers in the public or private sector, in NGOs, or in educational institutions related to language teaching, language assessment, and policy. It also provides an excellent basis for graduate work.

Program Options

The School of Linguistics and Language Studies offers the following BA Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies programs:

• BA Honours in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies
• BA Combined Honours in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies
• BA Combined Honours in Linguistics and Discourse Studies
• BA in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies
• Minor in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CTESL)

Students in the BA Honours and Combined Honours programs may enroll in the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (CTESL) program concurrently with their Honours degree.

Focus Areas of Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies

ALDS develops and applies theories to solve everyday problems involving language. As an interdisciplinary field encompassing work in Applied Linguistics, Writing Studies, Discourse Studies, and Literacy Studies, ALDS focuses on language-related issues such as:

• Language Teaching and Learning: How are languages taught and learned? How are language curricula best developed and implemented?
• Language Assessment: How are language competencies evaluated and language tests designed?
• Writing: How is writing used in academic, workplace, and community settings to construct knowledge, accomplish learning, and perform other functions? How can writing best be taught and learned in these settings?
• Literacies: How do people use texts in their everyday activities in society? How can access to literacies be broadened?
• Discourse Analysis: How is languageboth spoken and writtenused in specific social contexts? And how are texts in other symbol systemssuch as photographs and drawingsused in similar contexts?
• Language in Society: How does language influence society, and how is it influenced by society? What role does language play in creating social identities, social structures, and relations of power?
• Language and the Professions: For what purposes do professionals use language in their work? What makes professional communication in a first or a second language more effective?
• Bilingual Education: How can educational institutions support bilingual development? What makes a bilingual education program effective?
• Language Policy and Planning: How do government policies influence language practices, as for instance with measures to protect endangered languages?

Courses and Special Topics

Courses in the Undergraduate Calendar are offered, but not all are available in a given academic term. Special topic courses such as Forensic Linguistics, Indigenous Languages in Canada, Affordances of Digital Technologies, and Introduction to Deaf Studies are regularly offered.