Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers

Course code: 3239 + Course abbreviation: MAppLingLangTeachers + Total credit points required: 72 + 18 months full-time, 3 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton)

Multimode (Clayton)

Course description

This course, taught in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts, seeks to further students’ understanding of applied linguistics, especially as it relates to second and foreign language acquisition and language teaching. It also aims to develop students’ skills in critical reading in applied linguistics and the ability to design a research project. Note that this course does not qualify graduates to teach in Australian schools.

Minimum pass grade

Graduation from the Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers will require students to gain a credit in core units and a credit average overall.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, applicants must hold an approved bachelors degree with a credit average in the final year or qualifications or experience considered by the faculty board to be equivalent to, or a satisfactory substitute for, the above awards. A recognised teaching qualification is also desirable.

English language requirements

As for English proficiency requirements for the Faculty of Arts/Education:

(a) IELTS – an overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS, or

(b) TOEFL – an overall score of 580, with a 5 in the TWE test. Scores must be available for both the TOEFL and TWE. A minimum score of at least 237 is needed on the computerised TOEFL testing, plus a core of 5 or more for the TWE, or successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years duration requiring formal assessment of written work in an English-speaking country.

Note that students from countries assessed by the Australian immigration authorities as being in categories 3 and 4 for visa purposes must take the IELTS test and not TOEFL.

Credit for prior studies

Prior learning may be recognised by giving credit for prior studies in the following ways:

A Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics or Graduate Diploma in Applied Japanese linguistics from Monash, or equivalent graduate diploma in the Arts faculty receives credit to a maximum of 36 points, provided a credit average in the graduate diploma was achieved.
Students currently enrolled in the graduate diploma, Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Research) (previously masters qualifying) or Master of Arts by research and coursework with studies in applied Japanese linguistics/applied linguistics b at levels 4 or 5 who have obtained credits in the two core units (or equivalent) and an overall credit average to date may transfer to the MAppLingLangTeachers program with recognition of full credit for these units.
Honours degree with a minimum 2B grade in applied linguistics or applied Japanese linguistics or education receive credit to a maximum of 36 points.

All decisions on the extent of credit for prior studies will be at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Course structure

Two streams are available:

Students must select either stream A or stream B (see below). Each stream consists of three core 12-point units, including one research methodology unit. In addition to these three core units, students will choose either:

(i) three 12-point elective units from arts or education, or

(ii) two 12-point elective units from arts or education plus a 12-point research project* (arts), or

(iii) one 12-point elective unit from arts or education and a 24-point thesis* (education) or dissertation* (arts)

* The research alternatives above must be approved by the course coordinator.

Students may also undertake other electives which are relevant to the course with the approval of the course coordinator.

Core and elective units are offered by both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. Although students will generally select three units from both the faculties of Arts and Education, a minimum of two units should be selected from each faculty.

All classes are available on the Clayton campus. The course may be taken part-time, though international students must enrol full-time.

Australian domestic students who achieve at least a distinction average may be permitted to take the final semester of the course off-campus.

Stream A: Teaching Asian languages (Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian or other language)

Core units

Students must choose three:

ALM4250/5250 Second language acquisition, and
JAL4530/5530 Teaching and learning Japanese, and
JAL4610/5610 Research methodology for applied linguistics, or
an appropriate 12-point research unit to be selected from the faculty suite of research methodology units listed below (taken on advice from the course coordinator or supervisor)

Stream B: Teaching English as a second/foreign language

Core units

Students must choose three:

ALM4250/5250 Second language acquisition
EDF6233 Theory and practice of TESOL
JAL4610/5610 Research methodology for applied linguistics, or
an appropriate 12-point research unit to be selected from the faculty suite of research methodology units (taken on advice from the course coordinator or supervisor), or EDF6234 Curriculum design and evaluation in languages education

Both streams

Elective units

ALM5460 Special topic in applied linguistics
EDF6232 Professional practice for teachers of English as a foreign language`
EDF6234 Curriculum design and evaluation in languages education
EDF6236 Language, society and cultural difference
EDF6238 Advanced practicum in language teaching: TESOL
EDF6010/6020 Professional project
JAL4130/5130 Japanese sociolinguistics
JAL4140/5140 Asian languages in contact
JAL4590/5590 Japanese linguistics

Research electives

A research methodology unit is a prerequisite for the following. Select one of:

ALM4190/5410 Research project (12 points)^
AST4680/5680 Research project A (12 points)^
AST4700/5700 Research dissertation (24 points)^
EDF6031 Masters thesis part 1, and EDF6032 Masters thesis part 2 (16,000 words) (24 points)*#

^ Offered by the Faculty of Arts.

* For students who are interested in later applying for doctoral studies in education.

# Offered by the Faculty of Education.

Research methodology units

EDF6005 Reading, interpreting and communicating research (12 points)
EDF6006 Survey approaches to research (12 points)
EDF6007 Qualitative approaches to research (12 points)
EDF6008 Working with theory in research (12 points)
EDF6009 Special topic in research (12 points)
EDF6012 Specific focus in research A (6 points)
EDF6013 Specific focus in research B (6 points)

Off-campus elective units for Australian domestic students

ALM5130 Language in society
ALM5230 Bilingualism
ALM5270 Literacy
ALM5350 English in South East Asia and the Pacific

Exit points

If students do not meet the minimum pass grade requirement, they may exit from the course after one semester (or part-time equivalent) with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers or, after one-year (or part-time equivalent) with a Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers.

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9905 2819 or visit www.education.monash.edu.au.

Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents