SASS - School of Arts and Social Sciences

MPhil Applied Linguistics

Program Description

MPhil Applied Linguistics is designed to help students develop the skills and experience they need for a successful career in teaching English as a second language. Pakistani education institutes are in need of graduates with qualifications and expertise in teaching English. It will also be of interest to those who are already teachers and would like to increase their professional expertise by advancing their analytical knowledge and teaching theories. This program will equip students with an in-depth understanding of the language structure at different levels of analysis and the relationship between language and its use. Students will critically analyze how people learn languages, how English can be taught, gain an in-depth understanding of the assessment and testing used to teach English. Students will discuss and evaluate a range of perspectives in the language teaching curriculum and its delivery with which informed decisions about policy and practice can be taken. Students will also have the opportunity to study a range of optional modules in an area that is of particular interest and suits their career plans.

Career Prospects

There are excellent opportunities within Pakistan and around the world for teachers with an MPhil in Applied Linguistics. This program is specifically tailored to meet the job requirements of the education sector. The MPhil Applied Linguistics program opens up career prospects in the higher education sector in Pakistan. It prepares the graduates for a diverse range of professional fields, including English language teaching, journalism, and publishing. Related career possibilities include policy adviser, trainer of trainers, and even designer of teaching materials. Applied linguistics is a beneficial basis for a range of careers in publishing, editing, and communication.

Program Objectives

The program objectives are:

To provide students with the necessary background in linguistic theory and related topics at an intermediate and advanced level using a range of approaches and methodologies;
To enable students to acquire expertise in their specific research interests in part by offering the opportunity of specialization through pathways in the linguistics of particular languages;
To offer the opportunity to participate in the research culture within and beyond the Faculty, for example within the Language Sciences community, by attending and contributing to postgraduate seminars and reading groups; and
To develop the research skills required to conduct independent research such as:

formulating a realistic research proposal, with suitably delineated aims, objectives, methods and scope;
mastering the construction of a valid theoretical argument;
selecting and mastering suitable research methods;
collecting relevant bibliography;
using computer databases and corpora;
using the relevant software, including statistical packages where appropriate; and
presenting well-argued academic material to the wider research community.

Program’s Learning Outcomes

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the core theories and concepts in linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, research methods and English language teaching.
Students will analyze and interpret linguistic phenomena using linguistic theories and concepts in real-world contexts, such as language teaching and learning, language assessment, language policy, language planning, and language use in various social and cultural settings.
Students will cultivate critical thinking skills, enabling them to evaluate and critique existing research, theories, and methodologies in applied linguistics and to propose innovative approaches to addressing language-related issues.
Students will produce effective materials relevant to applied linguistics, including lesson plans for language learning and clearly articulated policy position papers.
Students will develop strong research skills, including formulating research questions, designing research studies, collecting and analyzing data using appropriate methods and techniques, and interpreting research findings.
Students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for professional development and career advancement in fields related to applied linguistics, such as language teaching, translation and interpreting, language policy and planning, language assessment, and academic research

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Graduates holding BS English, MA English, MA English Language Teaching (ELT), MA Teaching of English as Second Language (TESL) degrees or any other equivalent qualification recognized by the HEC, with minimum 2.45 CGPA or second division via the annual system, are eligible to apply.

Note:

Courses will be offered subject to the availability of Faculty.
Courses within Core and Elective modules are interchangeable on the discretion of the Dean and BOF.