Postgraduate - Course3239 - Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers

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 is designed to meet the needs of teachers of English or Asian languages in international contexts. Students choose from a stream focusing on Asian languages or on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

The course is designed to extend participants' knowledge and skills of educational research by helping them come to better understand both the theoretical and practical aspects of language and pedagogy. It has both core units and electives, which may be offered within the two faculties. Core units focus on second language acquisition, content-based language teaching and reading and analysing research. There is also a suite of electives which offer a range of linguistics and language teaching units. The course fosters a critical and reflective stance towards language learning and teaching, and contemporary issues in the field.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• understand the development of theory of practice and its application through educational research
• engage in teaching a second or foreign language informed by theory and research into language acquisition and language teaching
• acquire deeper understandings of second language classroom practice and student learning
• select and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research approaches in applied linguistic studies
• explore and examine the nature of professional learning and professional knowledge of second language practice
• understand the role of social and cultural contexts in language learning and use, and apply and adapt pedagogy to suit local conditions and needs
• demonstrate effective skills in academic writing and presentation
• display ethical values when conducting research in second language contexts.

Credit for prior studies may be granted for appropriate studies in applied linguistics or applied Japanese linguistics, or equivalent. All decisions on the extent of credit for prior studies will be at the discretion of the course adviser.

Note: this course does not qualify graduates to teach in Australian schools.

This course consists of two streams each of which consists of:

(a.) three core 12-point units, including one research methodology unit

(b.) one of the following options:

• Option one: three 12-point elective units from arts or education
• Option two: two 12-point elective units from arts or education plus a 12-point research project* from arts or a professional project from education
• Option three: one 12-point elective unit from arts or education and a 24-point thesis* from education or dissertation* from arts.

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

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.

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

Students must complete all the requirements of either stream A or stream B.

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

Core units

Students must complete three of the following:

• APG4348/APG5348 Second language acquisition
• APG4633/APG5633 Teaching and learning Asian languages
• APG4347/APG5347 Research methods in applied linguistics or an appropriate 12-point research*

* Selected from the faculty suite of research methodology units listed below and taken on advice from the course coordinator or supervisor.

Elective units

• APG4630/APG5630 Japanese sociolinguistics
• APG4634/APG5634 Japanese linguistics
• APG5707 Special topic in applied linguistics
• EDF6201 Theory and principles of bilingual/immersion education
• EDF6228 Content-based teaching in languages
• EDF6234 Curriculum design and evaluation in languages education
• EDF6236 Language, society and cultural difference

Stream B: Teaching English as a second/foreign language

Core units

Students must choose three of the following:

• APG4348/APG5348 Second language acquisition
• EDF6233 Theory and practice of TESOL
• APG4347/APG5347 Research methods in applied linguistics or an appropriate 12-point research unit*

* Selected from the faculty suite of research methodology units listed below and taken on advice from the course coordinator or supervisor.

Elective units

• APG4735 Issues in teaching English as an international language
• APG5707 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**

*This unit is for students with less than three years of approved relevant teaching experience. Note: This unit will not allow students to teach in Victorian government schools.

** For local students only who have a recognised teaching qualification.

Both streams

All units below are worth 12 points unless otherwise indicated.

Research methodology units

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

Professional project/Research project

These units are only available to students taking option two, and a research methodology unit is a prerequisite. Students must complete one of:

• APG5706 Research project
• EDF6010 or EDF6020 Professional project

Research thesis/Research dissertation

These units are only available to students taking option three, and who are interested in later applying for doctoral studies in education. A research methodology unit is a prerequisite.

• EDF6031 Masters thesis part 1 and EDF6032 Masters thesis part 2 (16,000 words)
• APG5760 Research dissertation in applied linguistics (24 points)

Off-campus elective units (for Australian domestic students only)

• APG5349 World Englishes
• APG5702 Bilingualism

Students wishing to exit the Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers early may apply to graduate with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics for Language teachers after successful completion of 24 points of study
• Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics for Language teachers after successful completion of 48 points of study.

Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers