Last updated: February 27, 2024 @ 09:20AM
Applied Linguistics
Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESL)
Field of Specialization
Teaching English as a Second Language
Dean
Ingrid Makus
Faculty of Social Sciences
Associate Dean
Dawn Zinga
Faculty of Social Sciences
Core Faculty
Professors
Thomas S. C. Farrell, David Hayes, Gary Libben, Ron Thomson
Associate Professors
Lynn Dempsey, Andrew Lee, Cheng Luo
Graduate Program Director
Lynn Dempsey
ldempsey@brocku.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Mae Leong
GradAppLingTESL@brocku.ca
https://brocku.ca/tesl
Program Description
Teaching English as a Second 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 Second Language professionals working 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 4 program Schemes that can be followed: Scheme A, B, C, and D. Schemes A through C have a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Students can choose Scheme A, the Course-work and thesis route, Scheme B, the Course-work and Major Research Paper route, or Scheme C, the solely Course-work route. These Schemes all have a September entry point, and will be completed by the end of August (3 terms). Scheme D is a combination of Course-work and a Thesis, with no specialization in TESL. Students interested in this scheme may have a broader interest in linguistics than TESL alone. This Scheme will be completed in December of the second year (4 terms).
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of a four year Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline with a minimum 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 a four year Bachelor's degree (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 Second 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.
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, (no individual score under 7.5).
Applicants who submit TOEFL or IELTS, scores may be asked to submit a writing sample.
For students whose language scores do not meet the above standard, but do meet TOEFL PBT 550/CBT 213/iBT 80, TWE 4.5 and TSE 45, IELTS 6.5 and writing band 6.5, (no individual score under 5.5), Brock University offers a non-credit intensive language training course and writing mentorship program.
When applications are reviewed, the admissions committee will make an offer based on your language scores. If the intensive language training course and writing mentorship program are required, it will be noted as a prerequisite to admission in your offer letter. Students with this prerequisite will only be considered for Scheme B and C, and will not be eligible for funding.
Students interested in the program without a background in a relevant discipline 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.
Certificate in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language:
brocku.ca/webcal/current/undergrad/apli.html#sec22
Degree Requirements
Students will consult with the Graduate Program Director when planning their programs of study. Graduate students follow Scheme A, Scheme B, Scheme C, or Scheme D. Schemes A and D candidates must submit a preliminary thesis proposal and find a supervisor as advised by the Graduate Program Director. Bridged Entry students may only complete Schemes B and C. For all schemes, supervisory responsibilities will be assigned within the proposed supervisor's (and where applicable, second reader's) area of interest and expertise, with reasonable attention to equitable distribution of supervisory assignments and under the overall guidance of the Graduate Program Committee.
Scheme A (TESL): Course Work and Thesis
Students must successfully complete the two core courses, and a minimum of two additional courses, as determined in consultation with the supervisor and Graduate Program Director, and the MA thesis.
Core Courses
LING 5P07 Topics in Second Language Acquisition Theory and Research
LING 5P85 Research Issues and Methodology in Second Language Acquisition
Additional Courses (minimum of two of the following, in consultation with the supervisor and Graduate Program Director), depending on availability.
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 Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P08 Vocabulary: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)
LING 5V60-69 Special Topics in Applied Linguistics
Thesis
LING 5F90 MA Research and Thesis
Scheme B (TESL): Course Work and Major Research Paper
Students must successfully complete the two core courses, six 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 Second Language Acquisition
Additional Courses (six of the following, not all courses are offered every 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 Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P08 Vocabulary: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)
LING 5V60-69 Special Issues in Applied Linguistics
Major Research Paper
LING 5F89 Major Research Paper
Scheme C (TESL): Course Work
Students must successfully complete the two core courses, and eight additional courses
Core Courses
LING 5P07 Topics in Second Language Acquisition Theory and Research
LING 5P85 Research Issues and Methodology in Second Language Acquisition
Additional Courses (six of the following, not all courses are offered every 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 Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P08 Vocabulary: Theory, Research and Practice
Additional Courses or Capstone Project
Two additional half courses or one full course must be taken from the following list:
LING 5V60-69 Special Issues in Applied Linguistics
LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)
LING 5F91 Capstone Project
Scheme D (General): Course Work and Thesis
Students must successfully complete the two core courses, and a minimum of two additional courses, as determined in consultation with the supervisor and Graduate Program Director, and the MA thesis.
Core Courses
LING 5P07 Topics in Second Language Acquisition Theory and Research
LING 5P85 Research Issues and Methodology in Second Language Acquisition
Additional Courses (minimum of two additional courses, in consultation with the supervisor and Graduate Program Director), depending on availability.
Additional courses may include any graduate level courses in Applied Linguistics. These currently include:
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 Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P04 Reading in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P05 Writing in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P08 Vocabulary: Theory, Research and Practice
LING 5P10 Independent Study (approval of the Graduate Committee required)
LING 5V60-69 Special Topics in Applied Linguistics
Given the broad nature of the MA Applied Linguistics (General) concentration, additional graduate courses needed to fulfil degree requirements may also be taken outside of the department. For example, language related courses are available in Modern Languages, Psychology, Education, etc., which may be relevant to the interests of a particular student. Statistics courses may also be taken outside the Applied Linguistics Department. Such courses should only be taken in consultation with the student's supervisor and Graduate Program Director, and must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee.
Thesis
LING 5F90 MA Research and Thesis
Course Descriptions
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details.
Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
LING 5F89
Major Research Paper
Major Research Paper, under the supervision of a faculty supervisor, on a specific issue in second 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 second 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(s): Completion of all course work; approval of the thesis proposal by the MA Program Committee.
LING 5F91
Capstone Project
Capstone project under the supervision of a faculty supervisor, will have a teaching focus such as a case study of a teaching intervention, a reflective assignment on teaching practice and/or observation, language teaching materials development, or related topics.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all course work; approval of the Capstone Project topic by a supervisor.
LING 5N01
Academic and Cultural Orientation for Bridged Graduate Students in Applied Linguistics
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 second 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 second 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 second 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 Second 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 5P04
Reading in Teaching English as a Second Language: Theory, Research, and Practice
Practical and theoretical foundations for decisions regarding materials design and instructional methodology, including genre theory, contrastive rhetoric, feedback and assessment, Information Technology.
LING 5P05
Writing in Teaching English as a Second 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 5P06
Topics in Second Language Acquisition and Learning
Critical examination of current theories in second language acquisition and learning and applications to practice worldwide. Topics may include cognitive mechanisms and social factors (e.g., individuals and language identity) in second language acquisition and learning, speech communities, interlanguage, and issues in second language policy and planning.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 1P94 (1F94) or permission of the Chair.
LING 5P07
Second Language Acquisition Theory and Research
Critical examination of current theories and key issues in second language acquisition research, from various perspectives (linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, etc.). Integration of theoretical models, research evidence and practice.
LING 5P08
Vocabulary: Theory, Research and Practice
Theoretical models and research findings regarding how words are represented and processed in the mind. Focus will be on the consequences of research findings for second language acquisition, bilingualism, and the teaching and learning of English as a Second Language.
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 5P40
Language Testing
Language Testing Theories and practices of language testing in research and teaching. Focus on critical analysis and evaluation of psychometric and pragmatic tests through item analysis and/or latent trait measurement.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 1P94 (1F94) or permission of the Chair.
LING 5P41
Bilingualism
Linguistic and constraints on mixing and code-switching, the organization of the bilingual lexicon, language processing in bilinguals, language attrition.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 1P94 (1F94) or PSYC 1F90.
LING 5P80
Supervised Teaching
Classroom observation, and planning, managing and delivering second language instruction. Discussions on current conceptual knowledge (theoretical) and perceptual knowledge (practical) highlighted with reference to the second language teaching and learning context.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 4P82 or 5P82; LING 4P83 or LING 5P83 or similar credit courses in TESL methodology from another university.
Note: Placements will be arranged for observations and practice teaching.
LING 5P81
Reflective Practicum
Supervised class observation of lesson planning, teaching and evaluation. Issues related to second language teaching in diverse contexts.Lectures, seminar,
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 4P82 or 5P82; LING 4P83 or LING 5P83 or similar credit courses in TESL methodology from another university.
LING 5P82
Teaching Listening and Speaking in a Second Language
Theories of and issues in the development of oral language processing in a second language. Canadian Language Benchmarks. Implications and applications for selected teaching and learning situations.Lectures.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 1P94 (1F94) or permission of the Chair.
LING 5P83
Teaching Reading and Writing in a Second Language
Selected theories and models underlying reading and writing ability. Their relationship to the concept of grammar and influence on inter-language development. Canadian Language Benchmarks. Implications and applications for selected teaching and learning situations.
Restriction: Only open to students who possess a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.
Prerequisite(s): LING 1P94 (1F94) or permission of the Chair.
LING 5P85
Research Issues and Methodology in Second Language Acquisition
Research methods and issues in second 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.