Masterprogram i språkvetenskap med inriktning mot engelsk tillämpad lingvistik, 120 hp

The Master’s Programme in Language Sciences with a Specialisation in Applied English Linguistics (120 credits) is intended develop an understanding of how knowledge about language in general, and specifically English, can be applied in a variety of contexts such as professional communication, teaching, and translation. The orientation is towards the use of English as a world language of business and study in the multimodal environment of the present century. The programme aims to extend and develop students’ knowledge in their chosen field of study, as well as to strengthen their inter-disciplinary knowledge of scientific theory, ethics and research methodology. Teaching consists of required courses that are common to the whole programme, required courses in the applied English linguistics, and optional courses within English and from a pool of courses offered by departments from the Faculty of Humanities.

The programme-wide required courses provide an introduction to scientific method and to languages in use in general, and also training in writing academic texts in English. The specialised Applied English Linguistics courses form a broad survey of key areas of English in use: second language acquisition (how languages are learnt), discourse analysis (how texts are structured and used), language for specific purposes (how language and discourse varies according to functional domain, and how we can provide training in these variants) and research methods (how we can investigate the uses of language). Students can choose from a range of options developing aspect of these topics, such as World Englishes English as a Lingua Franca, and Pragmatics, as well as less applied courses such as Phonology and Syntax. A key part of the degree is the dissertation written in the fourth semester on an applied-linguistic topic chosen by the student, after being trained in appropriate methods and reading recent research.

The programme is intended as a general basis for professional work in language-related fields, and may serve as preparation for Third Level studies (PhD level) in applied English linguistics.