MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching

This MA course builds on the international reputation of the School of English at Nottingham as one of the foremost centres for English Language research in the world.

The School's Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching programme provides a broad course of study on language and linguistics, and offers an excellent route towards pursuing a PhD.

The principle of language study established at Nottingham combines theoretical and ideological dimensions with practical applications; we aim to be rigorous and principled while offering an approach to language study that is fundamentally humane.

The MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching explores the role of language in human affairs using a variety of approaches, ranging from discourse analysis to corpus linguistics. With a particular focus on research methodology, this programme offers an opportunity for investigating language and communication from an interdisciplinary angle.

Particular features of the programme include:

• a theoretical grounding in research methodology and linguistic description
• one-to-one tuition with expert members of staff
• teaching informed by active leading-edge researchers in the field
• innovative and engaging teaching methods
• access to many online resources
• flexibility in course content

All MA students in the School of English join a lively and thriving postgraduate community.

Course structure

Full-time students normally complete the course within one year; part-time students must take between 24 and 36 months to complete. The MA consists of taught modules totalling 120 credits (which are taken during the autumn and spring semesters) and a 60 credit dissertation module (undertaken over the summer period). Full time students normally take 60 credits of taught modules in each semester; part-time students normally take 30 credits.

The course structure below reflects the modules that will be taught and assessed in the academic year 2011/12. The course structures are updated in April of each year to show the course content for the following academic session. If you have any queries concerning the course structure please contact the PG Administrator at english-postgrad@nottingham.ac.uk.

September to June

Students must take all modules in this group:

• Q34182 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics: Discourse Analysis
• Q34198 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
• Q34204 Approaches to Language and Linguistics

Students take a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 75 credits from this group:

• Q34178 Psychology of Language
• Q34181 Second Language Acquisition 
• Q34197 English Vocabulary: Teaching and Learning
• Q34199 Intercultural Communication

Students may take up to 45 credits in this group:

• Q34151 Literary Linguistics 1
• Q34152 Literary Linguistics 2
• Q34200 Sociolinguistics of Work
• Q34201 Research Methods for Literature and Language
• Q34203 Business and Organisational Communication

June to September

• Q34999 Dissertation

Assessment

Most taught modules are assessed by written work of around 3,000 words or equivalent (for a 15 credit module). Tutors provide feedback on practice exercises as preparation, and will give detailed comments on assignments. The objective is to provide you with the confidence to work as professional academics, at ease with the conventions of the discipline, and ready to tackle any area of research in applied linguistics.

The dissertation itself comprises a piece of your own research, assessed by written work of 12,000-15,000 words. The dissertation is a major piece of advanced independent research, which you complete over the summer under the supervision of a specialist in your chosen area. We will provide you with advice and guidance while you select and refine your area of study, and offer close supervision and support as you complete your research and your MA.

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