Master of Philosophy in English Linguistics and Language Acquisition

– About the programme of study

In a multi-lingual global world, knowledge of how language is learned and how one uses it is of paramount importance for the educational system as well as for society at large and attitudes to language.

Master of Philosophy (M. Phil.) in English Linguistics and Language Acquisition was formerly known as ‘M. Phil. in English Language and Linguistics’.

Master of Philosophy (M. Phil.) in English Linguistics and Language Acquisition is an international master’s programme which provides successful applicants with the opportunity to specialise within the fields of, language acquisition, language processing and cognition and English language and linguistics. The programme is linked to one of the priority research areas at the Department of Modern Foreign Languages: Language and Cognition.

The programme of study consists of two academic years of full-time study, divided in four semesters, awarding a total of 120 ECTS Credits. The first year of study consists of courses/modules, whereas the second year is devoted to work with the master’s thesis. Courses within the programme cover topics such as First and Second Language Acquisition, Theories and Methods in Linguistics, Cognitive and Theoretical Aspects of Language and Translation as well as other topics within English linguistics.

The thesis is an academic study of a particular topic within English language and linguistics, language acquisition, language processing, and/or language cognition. You will get supervision throughout the year. Since the programme of study is research-based, students are encouraged to choose a topic for their master’s thesis that can be linked to ongoing projects within the research area. The Department has an advanced laboratory for experimental language processing studies, the Language Acquisition and Language Processing Lab.

In the summer period between the first and second years of study, candidates are given the opportunity to return to their home countries to do fieldwork if this is necessary for the completion of their theses.

The programme of study endeavours to deepen the students’ qualifications and skills in subjects such as:

• First and second language acquisition
• Translation theories
• Language processing
• Modern English grammar and syntax
• Communication studies
• Language and cognition

Current research projects within the Department’s research area Language and Cognition concentrate on structural and contrastive aspects of language.

We intend that the planned 2010 research seminar ‘Advanced Experimental Paradigms and Methods in Spatial Cognition and Language Studies’ may be fruitful to students.

Today knowledge about language acquisition and language processing is increasingly important in an international context, in blilingual societies such as Canada as well as in developing countries where linguistic diversity may be manifold and complex.

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