MA Applied Linguistics (TESL) Direct Entry Program

Candidates joining the Direct Entry Program should anticipate commencing courses in the month of September. Course work will normally be completed by the end of April, with the Major Research Paper finished by the end of August.

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.
 

Direct Entry Online Application Process 

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)

(Not all courses listed may be available in any given year)

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 Topic: 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 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 Acquisition 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
A 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.

LING 5F90

MA Research and Thesis
A research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis on a topic in subsequent language teaching, curriculum design, professional development, student assessment, program evaluation, or a related area, demonstrating capacity for independent work. Research to be conducted under the supervision of a faculty supervisor and defended at an oral examination.
Prerequisite: Completion of all course work; approval of the thesis proposal by the MA Program Committee.