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Applied Linguistics (MA)

Master of Arts (MA)

Program overview

The MA in Applied Linguistics examines how languages are learned and used, and the roles they play in society. Courses are divided into three clusters that give you a broad knowledge base in language, theories of learning, and second-language pedagogy. The city of Montreal is an ideal location to explore issues related to language policy, politics and teaching. You will benefit from a multilingual urban setting that includes a high proportion of trilingual youth. Join a diverse cohort of students who are pursuing research in second language teaching, psycholinguistics, oral and written production and the use of technologies in language teaching. Languages that students have worked on include Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian and many more. 

Discover Applied Linguistics at Concordia University

Program Details

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 (B average).
  • Academic concentration in second language acquisition, applied linguistics, pedagogy, education, or related discipline.
  • Assets: professional experience in the field of second language teaching and learning or related areas​; knowledge of a second language.
  • Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.

Please see the Education Courses page for course descriptions.

Applied Linguistics MA (45 credits)

45

credits chosen from one of the following options:

Applied Linguistics MA: Thesis

Applied Linguistics MA: Course-based

Applied Linguistics MA: Thesis (45 credits)

9

credits of Required Courses:

  APLI 604 Applied Language Studies (3.00)
  APLI 621 Issues in Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 660 Research Methods I (3.00)

3

credits chosen from Cluster A: Applied Linguistics Focus on Theory

3

credits chosen from Cluster B: Applied Linguistics Focus on Language

3

credits chosen from Cluster C: Applied Linguistics Focus on Pedagogy

6

credits of Elective Courses chosen from any of the following clusters or from the list of elective courses. Electives may also be chosen from courses approved by the graduate program director.

Cluster A: Applied Linguistics Focus on Theory

Cluster B: Applied Linguistics Focus on Language

Cluster C: Applied Linguistics Focus on Pedagogy

Applied Linguistics Elective Courses

3

credits:

  APLI 690 Thesis Proposal (3.00)

18

credits:

  APLI 691 Thesis (18.00)

Note: Up to 9 credits from other departments or universities may be credited toward the degree.

Applied Linguistics MA: Course-based (45 credits)

9

credits of Required Courses:

 

  APLI 604 Applied Language Studies (3.00)
  APLI 621 Issues in Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 660 Research Methods I (3.00)
‌   

6credits chosen from  Cluster A: Applied Linguistics Focus on Theory 
6credits chosen from  Cluster B: Applied Linguistics Focus on Language 
6credits chosen from  Cluster C: Applied Linguistics Focus on Pedagogy  
6

credits of Elective Courses chosen from any of the following clusters or electives. Electives may also be chosen from courses approved by the graduate program director.

 Cluster A: Applied Linguistics Focus on Theory  

 Cluster B: Applied Linguistics Focus on Language  

 Cluster C: Applied Linguistics Focus on Pedagogy 

 Applied Linguistics Elective Courses   

3

credits:

  APLI 695 Research Proposal (3.00)
‌   

9

credits:

 

  APLI 696 Research Paper (9.00)
‌   

Up to 9 credits from other departments or universities may be credited toward the degree.

Cluster A: Applied Linguistics Focus on Theory

  APLI 623 Sociolinguistic Aspects of Bilingualism and Multilingualism (3.00)
  APLI 624 Psycholinguistic Aspects of Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 626 Variationist Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 627 Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 634 Cross-Linguistic Influence (3.00)

Cluster B: Applied Linguistics Focus on Language

  APLI 601 Phonological Aspects of Second Language Acquisition (3.00)
  APLI 610 Teaching and Learning Second Language Vocabulary (3.00)
  APLI 616 Pedagogical Grammar (3.00)
  APLI 636 Language Awareness (3.00)
  APLI 643 Pragmatics and Second Language Acquisition (3.00)

Cluster C: Applied Linguistics Focus on Pedagogy

APLI 625 
  APLI 630 Second Language Syllabus Design and Curriculum Planning (3.00)
  APLI 635 Language Assessment (3.00)
  APLI 644 Technology in Language Learning (3.00)
  APLI 646 Literacy (3.00)
  APLI 647 Supervision of Practice Teaching (3.00)

Applied Linguistics Elective Courses

  APLI 641 Research Methods II (3.00)
  APLI 651 Special Topics in Applied Linguistics (3.00)
  APLI 671 Reading Course in Applied Linguistics I (3.00)
  APLI 672 Reading Course in Applied Linguistics II (3.00)
  APLI 673 Reading Course in Applied Linguistics III (3.00)
  APLI 674 Reading Course in Applied Linguistics IV (3.00)
  APLI 675 Reading Course in Applied Linguistics V (6.00)

Two program options exist. Students in the thesis option engage in hands-on research projects which often make an original contribution to knowledge, while those in the course-based (without thesis) option have the opportunity to broaden their perspectives on applied linguistics through a variety of engaging courses.

Consult the graduate calendar for complete degree requirements.

Prior to applying, please email us to request the Applied Linguistics program booklet.

Your completed application will include:

Please apply and submit your documents online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures. 

  DEGREE
 
FALL
(September)
WINTER
(January)
SUMMER
(May/June)
Applied Linguistics MA Dec. 1 n/a n/a

All students take the three core courses

  • Applied Language Studies
  • Issues in Second Language Acquisition
  • Research Methods

Students then choose from a selection of courses that address topics such as

  • Sociolinguistic/Psycholingustic Aspects of Bilingualism and Multilingualism
  • Technology in Language Learning
  • Second Language Pedagogy

Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.

Teaching assistantships are available and awarded on a competitive basis. Faculty members regularly secure external grants that support research assistantships for graduate students.

Credit ESL courses in the Department of Education offer graduate students paid opportunities to assist with academic writing assessment and administer placement tests.

Other awards available through the Faculty of Arts and Science include:

  • Concordia Merit Scholarship
  • Concordia University Graduate Fellowship
  • Hydro-Quebec Graduate Award
  • John W. O'Brien Graduate Fellowship
  • Clara Strozyk Scholarship
  • Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards
  • Conference Travel Awards

Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students.

Please also consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.

Our faculty members are a diverse group of educators committed to excellence in teaching, research and community service. They are well known for their strong research profiles that inform their teaching and afford graduate students the opportunity to work on cutting edge research and innovative pedagogy.

Faculty research interests include:

  • pedagogical practices and approaches (frequency-based approaches, task-based language teaching, cognitive linguistics)
  • distribution of instructional time and subsequent learning outcomes (intensive vs. distributed teaching)
  • acquisition and assessment of second-language speech, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics (including the use of research-based findings in teaching)
  • influence of first and other languages on language learning and teaching (learner language, cross-linguistic influence)
  • pedagogical uses of technologies and their effects on learning
  • cognitive and social aspects of language learning, teaching, and use (language processing, priming, language attitudes, lingua franca)
  • teacher education (novice teachers' beliefs and decision-making)

Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.

Graduate students regularly contribute articles to the Concordia University Working Papers in Applied Linguistics (COPAL). Dedicated to the publication of a wide range of ongoing research by students and faculty in the field of Applied Linguistics, COPAL is published once a year and invites students to gain valuable publication experience by working as journal editors.

The Department also offers short-term workshops for university-level ESL students. Led by graduate students, these focused teaching experiences provide opportunities for MA students to put theory into practice.

The Department of Education Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Association (DOEIGSA) supports initiatives that encourage student well-being in the department and the university at large. The DOEIGSA aims to engage students in social issues, inside and outside the university, which are pertinent to education.

The Graduate Symposium in the Department of Education (GSDE) is an annual event that invites students across Canada to present their research. The GSDE is a student-run conference and offers you the opportunity to learn more about grant applications and event planning.

Our alumni are highly sought after by universities, colleges, language schools, government institutions, school boards, publishers, software industries, and banks, both within Canada and internationally. Recent graduates are working as professors, language teachers, project managers, pedagogical advisors, academic co-ordinators, testing specialists, dialect coaches for theatre and film, and client service managers.

Graduates have also found success as freelance writers, editors, translators, and language consultants within the gaming and mobile application industries. Several alumni have established and operate their own language schools and businesses specializing in pedagogical services for language teachers and learners.

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