Objectives for the MA AL Program
The objectives of the MA AL Program are to:
- To provide a thorough understanding of the broader theoretical issues and real world concerns related to the field of Applied Linguistics.
- To facilitate an understanding of language analysis from a socio-cultural perspective.
- To provide a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of teaching English as a Second or Other Language as well as training in the evaluation of teaching materials, and curriculum development and awareness of factors which underpin best practices in language assessment.
- To equip students with the critical, analytic and research skills required to investigate issues pertaining to their area of interest in language teaching and testing.
Description
The program provides participants who have a professional interest in language with a valuable opportunity to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in the field of Applied Linguistics. It offers them rigorous training in the application of linguistic principles in the areas of ELT pedagogy and testing. The program has a multidisciplinary scope, drawing from a range of social science disciplines and leading to two main areas (Strands) of specialization: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Testing.
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The TESOL Strand is aimed at both novice and experienced teachers of English as a foreign language. Novice teachers will be provided with essential coursework in teaching methodologies and theories of language learning, while also having the opportunity to take more practical seminar courses, such as the Practicum, while more experienced teachers and mid-career professionals will benefit from the more theoretical and highly focused seminar courses such as Accommodating Dyslexic Learners. The program will include a strong emphasis on research which will provide an excellent basis for students who wish to do further research their studies in the field at the Doctoral level. More experienced teachers might also be interested in taking a seminar course in Program Management in order to develop their careers at an administrative level.
- Testing
The Testing Strand is aimed at language teachers or ELT others who work in the field of ELT publishing who are interested in test development for materials writing and publication. It is also suitable for teachers who intend to become assessment specialists in language schools which prepare students for a variety of language tests. The MA will also provide an essential basis for those students who wish to continue to do research in language testing, an area of increasingly high interest in Europe and around the world today.
Upon completion of the MA in Applied Linguistics, degree holders will have acquired the knowledge and skills that will enable them to pursue advanced research at doctoral level or careers as senior instructors, teacher trainers, Directors of Studies, ELT consultants, materials developers, and language testing specialists.
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