MA Applied Linguistics (TESL) Bridged Entry Program

Bridged Entry candidates accepted into the program will complete their credit work alongside Direct Entry candidates in the same classes, at the same academic and professional level.

Candidates joining the Bridged Entry Program should anticipate commencing courses in the month of July. Course work will normally be completed by the end of April, with the major research paper finished by the end of August. The time commitment will be approximately 14 months (or slightly shorter if the Major Research Paper is completed earlier.)

University policy requires that full-time MA candidates who do not complete their program within twelve months shall continue to pay full fees on a term-by-term basis until all course work has been completed and the first draft of their thesis or Major Research Paper approved by their supervisor and the Graduate Program Director.

NEW - Bridged Entry Online Application Process 

Bridged Entry Fees

Degree Requirements

Course Work and Major Research Paper 

Students must successfully complete the two core courses, five additional courses, and the Major Research Paper.

Core Courses

LING 5P07 - Topics in Second Language Acquisition Theory and Research

LING 5P85 - Research Issues and Methodology in Subsequent Language Education

Additional Courses (five of the following)

LING 5P00 - Foundations of Language Teaching and Learning

LING 5P01 - Sociolinguistics Applied to Language Teaching and Learning

LING 5P02 - Pedagogical Grammar: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P03 - Oral/Aural Skills in TESL: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P04 - Reading in TESL: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P05 - Writing in TESL: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P10 - Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)
LING 5P60 - Teaching English to Young Learners

LING 5V60-69 - Special Issues in Applied Linguistics

Major Research Paper: LING 5F89 - Major Research Paper

Course Descriptions

Note: Not all courses are offered in every session. The Graduate Program Director will advise students which courses are to be offered in each session.

LING 5N01

Academic and Cultural Orientation for Bridged Entry Graduate Students in Applied Linguistics
Foundation of advanced academic skills in research, note-taking, essay writing, and seminar presentation through a survey of fundamentals in Applied Linguistics combined with guidance in individual and group assignments. Orientation to Brock's library and academic computing resources, and to diverse aspects of life in the Niagara Peninsula region.  Observation of ESL classes in the Ontario context. Preparation of linguistic and TESL background as related to MA work. Brief introduction to aspects of applied linguistics as preliminaries to credit course work.
Lectures, seminars, 20 hours per week (July - Aug)

LING 5P00

Foundations of Language Teaching and Learning
Linguistic, educational and social foundations of subsequent language teaching in the Canadian context as well as in international settings. Models of curriculum design and student assessment. Current trends in language teaching, program development, professional development, and related areas.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P01

Sociolinguistics Applied to Language Teaching and Learning
Theoretical concepts and research findings in sociolinguistics applied to the teaching and learning of English as a subsequent language. Focus on the social and cultural aspects of language, on the collaborative and social aspects of language learning, on the link between language and personal or social identity, and on the influence of the social world on language use, learning and teaching.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P02

Pedagogical Grammar: Theory, Research and Practice
Models of pedagogical grammar and their relationship to theories of subsequent language acquisition. Focus on issues arising in classroom learning. Application of grammar analyses to learning/teaching situations. Survey and critique of selected Information Technology tools available for the development of grammar skills.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P03

Oral/Aural Skills in TESL: Theory, Research and Practice
Theoretical insights and research findings relevant to the pedagogy of speaking and listening, including articulatory and acoustic phonetics, computer analysis of speech, models of oral interaction and of listening comprehension, and trends in speaking/listening instruction. Canadian Language Benchmarks for speaking and listening.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P04

Reading in TESL: Theory, Research, and Practice
Models of the process and pedagogy of subsequent language reading . Practical and theoretical foundations for decisions regarding materials design and instructional methodology, including Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P05

Writing in TESL: Theory, Research, and Practice
Theoretical models of writing and instructional practices. Current issues in ESL writing research and teaching, including genre theory, contrastive rhetoric, feedback and assessment, Information Technology.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P07

Topics in Subsequent Language Acquisition Theory and Research
Critical examination of current theories and key issues in subsequent language acquisition research, from various perspectives (linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, etc.). Integration of theoretical models, research evidence and practice.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P10

Independent Study
Research project carried out in collaboration with a faculty member. Enrichment of theoretical knowledge in a particular area of TESL, and development of the ability to apply that knowledge practically.
NOTE: Approval of the Graduate Committee is required for registration in this course.

LING 5P60
Teaching English to Young Learners
Theoretical insights and research findings relevant to ESL pedagogy of young learners as applicable to classroom teaching in both Canadian and international contexts.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5P85

Research Issues and Methodology in Subsequent Language Education
Research methods and issues in subsequent language teaching, curriculum design, professional development, student assessment, program evaluation, and related areas.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5V60-69

Special Issues in Applied Linguistics
Selected issues in the theory and/practice of applied linguistics. Topics according to the specific areas of instructional expertise.
Seminars, 3 hours per week

LING 5F89

Major Research Paper
Major Research Paper, under the supervision of a faculty supervisor, on a specific issue in subsequent language teaching, curriculum design, professional development, student assessment, program evaluation, or a related area.
Prerequisite: Completion of all course work; approval of the Major Research Paper topic by the supervisor.