International Area Studies

LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Graduate Coordinator: Randall Lund
4088 JKHB
Provo, UT 84602-6104
(801) 378-4961

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The College of Humanities offers one collegewide degree in language acquisition: Language Acquisition—MA.

Generally not more than two students per language are admitted to the language acquisition program per year. Most students complete the degree within two years.

Language Acquisition—MA

This program offers professional preparation to students seeking careers in applied linguistics, foreign language education, computer-assisted language learning and instruction, and other related areas.

Students become familiar with current theories of second language acquisition and develop basic skills in applying that knowledge to teaching, testing, and classroom-oriented research in their language of specialization.

The program is quite flexible, with emphases varying according to students' interests and faculty members' expertise. It is ideally suited to the needs of the following types of students:

• Students who have completed undergraduate majors in foreign languages, applied linguistics, or related fields, and who are contemplating eventual careers in academics.
• Foreign language teachers at the secondary school level who wish to further their professional education and acquire more specialized competency in their fields.
• Students seeking the necessary preparation for advanced research and work in the field of high-
  technology applications to language learning and instruction.

Students are admitted to the program with a specific language specialization in Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Scandinavian.

Admission and Entry.

• Application deadline: February 1 (U.S. and international).
• Application requirements: entrance examination is GRE general test; fifteen-minute interview in the language of specialization addressing applicant's academic goals. May be completed in person, by telephone, or on tape in conversation with a second party.
• Sample of student's scholarly writing.
• Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree and strong background in the language of specialization.

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours (33): minimum 27 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (699R).
• Required courses: Ling 540, 600, 641, 660, 677.
• Elective courses: 3 hours of advanced linguistic study of the language of specialization, plus 9 hours as approved by the graduate committee for a total of 12 hours.
• Language requirement: reading and speaking ability (202 level) in language other than English in addition to language of specialization.
• Thesis: 6 hours of 699R in language of specialization.
• Examination: oral defense of thesis.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Fellowships and full or partial tuition scholarships are available, depending on merit and funding. Applicants should contact the respective language department directly to apply for a teaching assistantship.

Limited funds are also available for participation in professional conferences.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Humanities Research Center. Students in the language acquisition program utilize the Humanities Research Center for world-class computer-assisted language instruction and translation.

The Foreign Language Student Residence. Students who desire a more intensive language study experience and practical application of the language under the direction of faculty and native residents may apply to live in the Foreign Language Student Residence. All activities in the individual apartments in the residence are conducted in the foreign language. Housing is available for men and women in the languages of specialization. Graduate students may participate as students or as senior residents.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, send for a copy of the degree bulletin.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

See course descriptions under Linguistics section of this catalog and desired area of specialization.

FACULTY

Over thirty faculty members are associated with the program and are available for consultation, although the primary advisor is usually associated with the language of specialization. See faculty names and research interests under both the Linguistics section of this catalog and the various language departments.

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