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.
Note: This program does not lead to a brevet d’enseignement, the credential required to teach in primary and secondary schools in Quebec.
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: |
| 3 | credits chosen from:
|
| 12 | credits from any of the following course groups: Focus on Theory Courses Focus on Language Courses
Focus on Pedagogy Courses Other Applied Linguistics Elective Courses
Note: Of the 12 credits of course groups, up to 6 credits may be taken outside the Applied Linguistics program with approval of the graduate program director. |
| 3 | credits: |
| 18 | credits: |
Applied Linguistics MA: Course-based (45 credits)
| 9 | credits of Required Courses: |
| 24 | credits from any of the following course groups: Focus on Theory Courses Focus on Language Courses Focus on Pedagogy Courses Other Applied Linguistics Elective Courses Note: Of the 24 credits of course groups, up to six credits may be taken outside the Applied Linguistics program with approval of the graduate program director. |
| 3 | credits:
|
| 9 | credits: |
Focus on Theory Courses
| • 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) |
Focus on Language Courses
| • 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) |
Focus on Pedagogy Courses
| 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) |
Other Applied Linguistics Elective Courses
|
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:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form. Confidential letters of reference, preferably academic, should outline the applicant’s research abilities
- Statement of purpose that outlines your primary area or field of concentration and research goals
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
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.