MA Applied Linguistics for TEFL

at Bangor University

Compulsory Modules

EFL Theory- This module introduces the theoretical basis of teaching English as a foreign language, and examines the core areas and issues faced by teachers and learners.

Second Language Acquisition and Language Teaching - This module examines how a second language is learned, the processes involved and the resulting pedagogical implications for language teaching.

Teaching EFL - This module introduces students to relevant teaching methodologies and equips them to evaluate and apply those methodologies. This is also a practical module where students observe actual teaching of non-native students and then do some teaching supported by a mentor.

Linguistics Research Methods - This module provides the necessary foundations, training and tools to design and carry out qualitative, quantitative, experimental or ethnographic research within linguistics, as well as the training and experience to develop, design and carry out an independent Master’s level research-based dissertation project employing the usual conventions in linguistic / applied linguistic literature.

MA/MSc Dissertation - In this module students will conduct a small-scale, yet significant piece of individual research to an advanced level and write a 15-20,000-word dissertation on it. Students are assigned a member of staff whose research interests best and/or most closely connects with the topic as a supervisor. The supervisor will assist the student to focus the scope, methodology and content of their dissertation, as well as giving advice throughout the project. Under the guidance of the supervisor, students will focus and fine tune their research question, survey relevant literature, plan the project, decide on a methodology, consider the need for ethical approval and act accordingly, collect and analyse data (depending on the nature of the research) utilizing an appropriate analytic framework, and write up the project to form the dissertation which will address the research question in light of the findings

Optional Modules

Modules vary from year to year, they can include:

• Language and Communication
• Historical Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Language Change
• Language Contact & Bilingualism
• Child Language Acquisition
• Language Disorders & Bilingualism
• Bilingualism and Acquisition Issues
• Speech Science
• Phonology in Bilingual Acquisition
• L2 Speech Learning
• Welsh Linguistics
• Cognitive Discourse Analysis
• Using Corpora: Theory & Practice
• SLA and Language Teaching
• Language Technologies/Technolegau Iaith

2(i) undergraduate degree normally required in a relevant discipline and/or relevant professional experience.

Applicants who do not speak English as their native language must pass the IELTS English test with a score of 6.5 (with no element below 6.0).

Students who have an overall score of 5.5 on the IELTS can take a summer presessional course in the University’s English Language Centre for Overseas Students (ELCOS) prior to beginning their MA.

Tuition Fee Per Year

£ 16,250

Bangor University’s MA in Applied Linguistics for TEFL will give you a detailed understanding of how to teach English as a foreign language for various professional purposes across the globe. In addition to gaining class-room experience you will also have the opportunity to develop strong research and analytical skills as well as the ability adopt/use different strategies for communication and presentation in English in a range of multilingual and international contexts.

Although this is not a formal teaching qualification, it gives students who wish to go on to teach English to non-native speakers the theoretical and linguistics background they need as well as offering practical, classroom experience. Opportunities exist to teach in countries all over the world, e.g., in universities, colleges or private language schools. After successful completion of the MA in Applied Linguistics for TEFL, you may decide to pursue an academic career and apply for a PhD.