Second Language Acquisition (SLA) occurs when people acquire a language in addition to their native language. Study of the field of SLA incorporates insights gleaned from the fields of psychology, sociolinguistics and other related disciplines to provide students with an understanding of cognitive and social factors that affect the process of acquiring a second language (L2). The study of SLA covers a wide range of topics, which may include the investigation of the acquisition of phonological, morphological, syntactic and lexical phenomena by L2 learners, the variable nature of Interlanguage, developmental sequences and form-function studies, L2 conversational analysis, sociolinguistic/ pragmatic aspects of L2 acquisition (e.g., gender and age issues), learning strategies, communication/ discourse strategies, and the effects of individual variables (e.g., personality, hemisphericity, learning styles, aptitude, affective factors [attitude, motivation]), the use of different types of foreign language instruction, the context of learning (classroom vs. study abroad vs. immersion settings) and the use of language learning technology on the acquisition process.
Applied Linguistics provides the theoretical and descriptive foundations for the investigation and solution of language-related ‘real-world’ problems, especially those concerning language education (first-language, second-language and foreign-language teaching and learning). As a result, this type of research draws on key concepts from discourse analysis and sociolinguistics and touches on a particularly wide range of issues - psychological, pedagogical, social, political and economic as well as linguistic.
The Masters in Second Language Acquisition/Spanish Applied Linguistics is appropriate for students wishing to acquire a deep and broad understanding of the field in preparation for doctoral level study in second language acquisition or foreign language education and teach at the university or community college level. Candidates must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate level work (24 hours of coursework, 6 hours of Thesis [SPA 599]). At least 15 out of 24 hours of coursework must be taken in Spanish (under the SPA rubric).
After completion of coursework, which includes a variety of required and elective courses, students are required to write a thesis based on their original research. Thesis topics in this area could include themes related to the topics mentioned in the first paragraph of the description of this track.
PROGRAM OF STUDY (SLA/Applied Linguistics)(30 hours)
Prerequisites
- SPA 400/598: Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
(or approved equivalent e.g. FLA 400/598) - SPA 412: Advanced Conversation and Composition
(or approved equivalent)
Requirements (18 hours)
- SLC 598: Research Methods (3)
(or approved equivalent, e.g. LIN 500: Bibliography and Research Methods for Linguists) (3) - SPA 544: Spanish Phonology (3)
- SPA 543: Structure of Spanish (3)
- SLC 515: Second Language Acquisition (3)
- SPA 598: Spanish Applied Linguistics (3)
- SLC 598: Teaching Pragmatics (3)
Six hours of electives, chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor, may include
- SPA 591: Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages (or approved equivalent) – in Summer
- SPA 540: History of Spanish (3)
- SPA 541: Spanish Language in America (3)
- SPA 542: Spanish in the Southwest (3)
- SPA 598: Spanish Oral Discourse (3)
- SLC 598: Language Learning Technology (3)
- SLC 598: Language Evaluation and Assessment (3)
Thesis (6 hours)
- SPA 599: Thesis (6)
The Portfolio for the MA in Spanish Linguistics shall contain:
- A narrative/statement (2-4 pages) contextualizing the selected papers within your broader program of study and your development as a scholar.
- Two high quality research papers (10-25 pages) that:
- are revised final papers from two of your Program of Study classes.
- are original, empirical works.
- substantially incorporate professor’s comments and suggestions for development.
- contain thorough, relevant literature review, discussion of theoretical framework, description and justification of methodology, analysis of data, and discussion of results.
- Transcript/Program of Study including courses taken toward degree and MA committee membership
- be scheduled roughly two weeks after the portfolio is submitted.
- cover the papers in the portfolio as well as general knowledge related to SLA/Applied Linguistics.
- be attended by you and your committee, the members of which will ask questions.