Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy

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The MA provides advanced training in the field of Language Pedagogy with a specialization in Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan. The programme provides an appreciation of the concepts, modes of analysis and theoretical approaches in the area of Language Pedagogy, including second language learning theories and teaching methodologies. Students will also be familiarised with the general areas of linguistic inquiry (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and discourse structure) and how they are relevant to the study of second language acquisition.

As a practical component, students will also become familiar with the intent and design of instructional material and teaching/testing techniques, and will evaluate second language learners performance through the analysis of empirical data and adequate descriptive terminology; they will also be able to design appropriate lesson plans, and will have carried out a certain amount of practice in the language of their chosen pathway.

Graduates will be qualified and well prepared for such professions as teaching the target language in higher education in the UK or in other countries, North America, and other parts of the world, teaching the target language at private institutions or at company, administrative or consultative staff at educational organizations, and editing staff at publishers related to language teaching.

The MA Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy consists of three components: core courses, option courses and dissertation research. This degree programme is currently formulated with four different pathways; specialising in Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan.

Compulsory Core Unit Core courses must be passed to gain the degree

* Language Pedagogy - 15PLIC015 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Choose one core unit from the following As determined by your language pathway. NB:Korean Linguistics and Language Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism must be taken together to gain a full unit.

* Japanese Language Learning and Teaching - 15PEAC024 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Chinese Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy - 15PLIC020 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Tibetan Linguistics and Language Pedagogy - 15PLIH039 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism - 15PLIH038 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Korean Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy - 15PLIH037 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

For students with a background in Linguistics Entering students who already hold an undergraduate major in linguistics/applied linguistics, or an MA in linguistics take the equivalent of one full unit of option courses from the list below or from any linguistics course approved by the programme convenor.

* Introduction to the Study of Language - 15PLIC008 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Topics in the History and Structure of the Korean Language - 15PEAC060 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Directed Readings in Linguistics/the Structure of Language B - 15PLIH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Syntactic Structure of Japanese 1 - 15PEAH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Second Language Acquisition in Japanese - 15PJKH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Topics in the Structure of Chinese (Masters) - 15PLIH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

For students with NO background in Linguistics The following course is compulsory.

* Introduction to the Study of Language - 15PLIC008 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Dissertation All students on the MA Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy must complete a 10,000 word Dissertation which counts for 25% of the overall degree.

* Dissertation in Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy - 15PLIC989 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second or equivalent in a BA in a relevant discipline (linguistics or applied linguistics), or a BA in other disciplines including some relevant units, and some relevant professional qualification (e.g. teacher training qualifications) or exceptional and documented experience in language teaching. Native or native-like proficiency in the language of the chosen path.English language requirementsIn order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.Score for Unconditional Entry * IELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scores * TOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scores * Pearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL iBT® test: 105 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Scholarships and Bursaries

There are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.

* The Ahmad Mustafa Abu-Hakima Bursary (programme must include studying the history of the modern Arab world)
* AKS Postgraduate Bursary (in Korean Studies)
* Bernard Buckman Scholarship (MA Chinese Studies, for UK/EU fee paying students)
* The Canon Collins Scholarships at SOAS. There are two scholarships available available in 2013-14 for study at SOAS. These scholarships are for Masters study in any subject field. Open a national of and resident in one of the following countries:
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The application process normally opens in December and closes in February, for study commencing in September the following year. Please go to the Canon Collins website and click "Apply for A Scholarship" and then "Canon Collins Scholarship for Masters Study in the UK" for further information on how to apply.
* Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (for students from African Commonwealth countries)
* D.G.Hall Scholarship (Taught Masters programmes at SOAS, for applicants holding a Burma/Myanmar passport)
* Felix Scholarships (for Indian students)
* Ferguson Scholarships (for African nationals from an African Country)
* HSBC SOAS Scholarships (MA Sinology & MA Chinese Literature, for UK/EU fee paying students)
* Kamran Djam Scholarships (MA Iranian Studies)
* Professor Stuart Wilson Scholarship (MA South East Asian Studies)
* Standard Chartered Scholarships (for a range of full-time Taught Masters programmes. The programmes relate to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East/NorthAfrica)
* Tibawi Trust Awards (for Palestinian students currently enrolled in a programme at SOAS)
* SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities - (for any full-time taught masters programme in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities)
* SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Language & Cultures (for the full-time MA Gender Studies, MA Postcolonial Studies, MA Linguistics, MA Applied Linguistics & Language Pedagogy, MA Language, Documentation and Description, MA Translation Theory and Practice (Asian and African Languages)
* SOAS Master's Scholarships- Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (for any full-time master's programmes in the Department of Development Studies, Economics, Law, Politics & International Studies and Financial & Management Studies)
* Tallow Chandlers and M. W Beer scholarship (MA) (MA Anthropology of Food, for UK/EU fee paying students)
* William Ross Murray Scholarship (LLM, for students from a developing country)