2009-2010 Graduate Calendar

Teaching English as a Subsequent Language is a complex process, with a knowledge base combining such diverse areas as applied linguistics, language-teaching methodology, curriculum design, and testing. This MA program is designed to integrate these important elements in an educational experience promoting a high level of expertise and professionalism. Faculty teaching in the program bring a valuable range of attributes, including extensive international experience, hands-on proficiency in ESL teaching right here in Canada, capacity in a range of different languages beyond English, and energetic research and scholarship published and presented around the world. Graduates of this dynamic program will be well prepared as Teaching English as a Subsequent Language professionals practising in Canada or abroad and those who have completed a thesis will be well prepared for further graduate study at the doctoral level.

There are two program options: a 12-month Direct Entry Program and a special 15-month Bridged Entry Program especially for students for whom English is a subsequent language. The Bridged Entry Program includes a non-credit summer bridging segment (LING 5N01) as well as academic writing mentoring throughout the academic year. However, all students, in both programs, choose courses from the same course bank and all study the credit courses together in the same classes.

Candidates entering 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 essay finished by the end of August (3 terms). Thesis-route students will normally complete the degree by the end of December (4 terms).

Applicants admitted into the Bridged Entry Program should anticipate commencing the bridging session in the month of July, with regular credit courses beginning in the following September. Course work will normally be completed by the end of April, with the major essay finished by the end of August. Thus, the time commitment will be approximately 15 months.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline with a minimum overall average of 75%. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission, who believe they may be eligible for admission, should contact the Graduate Program Director to discuss their admission qualifications.

Applicants should have an honours (or equivalent) undergraduate background which includes English, linguistics, TESL, or a comparable field, with courses relevant to the theory and practice of Teaching English as a Subsequent Language (e.g. general linguistics, syntax, phonology, discourse analysis, or other linguistics courses with a focus on English; educational psychology or similar courses related to ESL learning; ESL teaching methodology; or ESL practice teaching). Applicants without the required subject background at the undergraduate level, but with a minimum overall average of 75%, may be admitted if they show strong academic performance on a graduate certificate in TESL from a recognized university and have relevant teaching experience.

Strong English language skills are essential for all applicants.

For Direct Entry, candidates whose first language is not English and who have not completed 3 or more years of full-time study at a Canadian post-secondary institution are required to provide proof of English language proficiency as follows: TOEFL PBT 630/CBT 267/iBT 109, TWE 5.5 and TSE 55, or IELTS 8 and writing band 8 or ITELP 600.

For Bridged Entry, the following English language proficiency scores are required: TOEFL PBT 550/CBT 213/iBT 80, TWE 4.5 and TSE 45, IELTS 6.5 and writing band 6.5, or ITELP 520-545 (range 2) with a minimum writing score of 225-235.

Applicants who submit TOEFL, IELTS, or ITELP scores may be asked to submit a writing sample.

Even with excellent language skills, applicants without a thorough undergraduate grounding in TESL-relevant courses are very unlikely to be admitted to the Direct Entry Program. In those circumstances, native speakers or others with a near-native command of English are advised to consider, in consultation with the Graduate Program Director, applying for the undergraduate TESL Certificate program also offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics. TESL Certificate graduates with a strong 'B' average (mid-70 or higher) are well-placed to apply for admission to the MA-level study of TESL at Brock or elsewhere.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.

Part-time students will be admitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Degree Requirements

Students will consult with the Graduate Program Director when planning their programs of study. Graduate students follow either Scheme A or Scheme B. Scheme A candidates must submit a preliminary thesis proposal and find a supervisor as advised by the Graduate Program Director. Bridged Entry students may only complete Scheme B. For either scheme, supervisory responsibilities will be assigned within the proposed supervisor's and second reader's area of interest and expertise, with reasonable attention to equitable distribution of supervisory assignments and under the overall guidance of the MA Program Committee.

Scheme A: Course Work and Thesis

Students must successfully complete the two core courses, two additional courses, and the MA thesis.

Core Courses

LING 5P07 Topics in Subsequent Language Acquisition Theory and Research

LING 5P85 Research Issues and Methodology in Subsequent Language Education

Additional Courses (two 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 Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)

LING 5V60-69 Special Issues in Applied Linguistics

Thesis

LING 5F90 M.A. Research and Thesis

Scheme B: Course Work and Major Essay

Students must successfully complete the two core courses, five additional courses, and the major essay.

Core Courses

LING 5P07 Topics in Subsequent 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 Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)

LING 5V60-69 Special Issues in Applied Linguistics

Major Essay

LING 5F89 Major Essay

Course Descriptions

Note: Not all courses are offered in every session. Students must have their course selections approved by the Graduate Program Director each term. Refer to the Timetable for scheduling information:

http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/timetable/terms.php

LING 5F89

Major Essay

Major essay, 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 essay 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.

LING 5N01

Academic and Cultural Orientation for International Graduate Students in Applied Linguistics I

Academic and cultural orientation appropriate to academic context. Foundations and development of advanced academic skills in library research, note-taking, essay writing, seminar and workshop presentations, based on concepts and terminology in Applied Linguistics. Guidance in individual and group assignments. Familiarization with and use of electronic library databases and other e-resources.

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.

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.

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.

LING 5P03

Oral/Aural Skills in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: Theory, Research and Practice

Theoretical insights and research findings relevant to the pedagogy of speaking and listening, including models of oral interaction and of listening comprehension, and trends in speaking/listening instruction. Canadian Language Benchmarks for speaking and listening.

LING 5P05

Writing in Teaching English as a Subsequent Language: 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, assessment and critique of assessment tools (e.g. CLBs, IELTS), Information Technology.

LING 5P07

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.

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 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.

LING 5V60-5V69

Special Topics in Applied Linguistics

Selected issues or topics in the theory and practice of applied linguistics according to the specific areas of instructional expertise.

Last updated: September 8, 2009 @ 02:50PM