中央康涅狄格州立大学

The Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics offers two tracks. One is in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), which prepares classroom teachers of English as an additional language at all levels, from children to adults and here in Connecticut or anywhere in the world. The second track is in Language Policy and Planning (LPP), which prepares specialists in social and educational policy related to language for the public, non-profit, and private sectors.

The TESOL track prepares teachers to use effective methods to meet the varying instructional needs of students of English as an additional language while encouraging such students to maintain their native languages and cultural competencies. Students receive a thorough grounding in practical skills and methods of language teaching to develop communicative competence and appropriate academic skills in English and to become professionally competent on issues involving the nature of language and language acquisition and the role of language in society.

The LPP track prepares policy specialists with a thorough foundation in cognitive and social aspects of language that can inform a career guiding educational and institutional policies on language use, pedagogy, linguistic diversity, and multilingualism. Students also develop skills in the tailoring and critique of language policies (including language education policy) that can be implemented in a broad range of contexts.

Learning Outcomes

Analyze and interpret linguistic phenomena using current linguistic theory (what language is), including:

a) Use theories of syntax to gain substantial insights into the grammatical structure of sentences and related utterances in English and other languages

b) Use theories of phonology to gain substantial insights into the sound systems that underlie the articulation and comprehension of English and other languages

c) Use sociolinguistic theory to gain substantial insights into the use, diversity, status, and policy norms of English and other languages

Analyze and interpret linguistic phenomena using current theories of second language acquisition (how language is learned), including:

a) Use cognitive theories relevant to second language acquisition (SLA) to gain substantial insights into the stages and processes of language development in learners of all ages and backgrounds

b) Use social theories relevant to SLA to gain substantial insights into the language development of all social actors in a diverse range of contexts

Produce effective materials relevant to the practice of applied linguistics, including lesson plans for language learning and clearly articulated policy position papers.