Master’s Program in Applied Linguistics
Courses
All students are to complete 30 graduate credits (ten courses). Students in both concentrations are to also complete two electives. Students who have already had sufficient teaching experience to waive the Field Experience will take a third elective.
In addition, students must pass a four-hour written comprehensive examination in their concentration and in the core areas of study. The exam is read by a committee composed of members of the Applied Linguistics graduate faculty. In lieu of the comprehensive exam, certain students may be invited to write a thesis (a qualitative or quantitative empirical study, a philosophical study, or an analytical paper around practical issues).
All required coursework is offered online. No residency is required. The program will be accepting one cohort of students per academic year. Students are expected to take 3 courses (9 graduate credits) per semester. Courses will be offered in sequence.
Students in both concentrations must complete these courses:
- APLING601 Linguistics
This course examines the nature and origin of language, the history of linguistics, and new theoretical developments in the field. Principles of language analysis - phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics - are discussed. The course systematically compares the structure of English with a variety of other languages.
- APLING603 Cross-Cultural Perspectives
This course is designed to help students develop perceptions of cultural similarities and differences from knowledge of concepts and meanings of culture. Special emphasis will be given to issues of linguistic and cultural discontinuities, the acculturation process, minority education, and interethnic communication. Discussions and research will be directed toward developing multicultural educational programs and activities.
- APLING621 Psycholinguistics
Contemporary issues in the fields of first and second language development and bilingualism will be addressed within the framework of the psychological development of the individual, from early childhood through adolescence. Theories of learning will also be addressed, particularly as they have been used to explain language development, including behaviorism, cognitive psychology, Piagetian constructivist theory, Soviet activity theory, and Freirean critical consciousness and praxis.
- APLING623 Sociolinguistics
This course will focus on the study of language variation and its social, political and cultural significance. Students will evaluate current sociolinguistic theory and research and will conduct mini-projects of their own. Topics of study will include language attitudes, language identity and the relationship of language and power.
- Plus Two electives
Those in the concentration on English as a Second Language are to complete these courses:
- APLING605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching
This course is designed to present students with a theoretical background in the principles and methods of teaching English as a second language. It presents concepts from the fields of linguistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and education as they relate to language teaching theory. In addition to these influences on the field of ESL, the course will include a survey of major methodological approaches to ESL teaching in order to evaluate how well theory has been applied to practice.
- APLING618 Teaching ESL: Methods and Approaches
This course will familiarize students with methods of language teaching, such as audiolingualism, cognitive-code and notional functionalism, and the more specific methodological models that represent extensions and adaptations of these differing perspectives. In addition, approaches to teaching English language skills and techniques that transcend skill areas will be studied and evaluated.
- APLING614 Foundations of Bilingual Education
This course will examine the rationale for bilingual education and its typology through a survey of some successful Massachusetts programs. Special consideration will be given to the provisions of Title VII and the Massachusetts Transitional Bilingual Education Law.
- APLING698 Practicum/Field Experience or elective
The Field Experience/Practicum is a one-semester, 3-credit, required course. It involves a 15-hour per week minimum teaching commitment. The field experience should be taken sometime during the student’s final two semesters of study and after completing core methodology courses. Students must locate and secure a site for the field experience where it will be possible to observe a language class (ESL, or FL) and take on teaching responsibilities under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Academic advisors will work with mentor teachers to support students’ practicum experience. Students who have two or more years of full-time teaching experience in a Bilingual, ESL or Foreign Language setting may be eligible for a Practicum Waiver.
Those in the concentration on Foreign Language Pedagogy are to complete these four courses:
- APLING605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching
This course is designed to present students with a theoretical background in the principles and methods of teaching English as a second language. It presents concepts from the fields of linguistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and education as they relate to language teaching theory. In addition to these influences on the field of ESL, the course will include a survey of major methodological approaches to ESL teaching in order to evaluate how well theory has been applied to practice.
- APLING611 Methods and Materials in Foreign Language Education
This course seeks (1) to relate methods of teaching a foreign language to current Second Language Acquisition (SLA), research and theory and evaluate these methods; (2) to discuss classroom problems in light of current SLA theory; and (3) to look critically at textbooks and create new, specific course material to be tested and shared among all class participants. The course’s hands-on approach bridges the gap between theoreticians and classroom practitioners: Students are encouraged - through reading, discussion, teaching demonstrations, and classroom observations - to explore and define the language teacher’s role and to question their experience as language learners and teachers.
- APLING612 Integrating Culture into the Language Curriculum
This course takes a hands-on approach and bridges the gap between theoreticians and classroom practitioners. Participants can tie in their critical understanding of cross-cultural perspectives into numerous aspects of the language curriculum. They explore how culture has been taught traditionally and how cultural values are embodied in authentic documents. They gain awareness of potential cultural conflicts between their own culture and the culture they teach or their students’ culture. Discussion and research are directed towards developing instructional units based on a large variety of authentic documents that reflect multicultural diversity and help students discover and resolve cultural conflicts.
- APLING698 Practicum/Field Experience or elective
The Field Experience/Practicum is a one-semester, 3-credit, required course. It involves a 15-hour per week minimum teaching commitment. The field experience should be taken sometime during the student’s final two semesters of study and after completing core methodology courses. Students must locate and secure a site for the field experience where it will be possible to observe a language class (ESL, or FL) and take on teaching responsibilities under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Academic advisors will work with mentor teachers to support students’ practicum experience. Students who have two or more years of full-time teaching experience in a Bilingual, ESL or Foreign Language setting may be eligible for a Practicum Waiver.
