MSc in Applied Linguistics - Essay Example

MSc in Applied Linguistics The intensive focus on classroom methodologies and testing is, in my understanding, a particular strength of the MSc in Applied Linguistics programme at Oxford as opposed to other such courses in the United Kingdom. The faculty at Oxford brings together scholars with specialisations in various linguistic backgrounds and perspectives; this shall make it possible to raise many significant disciplinary issues about the aims of second language acquisition and teaching. The modules offered by the MSc at Oxford share a great degree of inter-linkages, meaning that the concepts and ideas learnt in one module can readily be applied and tested in the others, making for an intellectually stimulating learning experience. This is a significant distinction I perceive from other similar UK Masters programmes. In addition, this course encourages cross-fertilisation of knowledge and experience between English as a foreign language and other foreign languages, along with training in language pedagogy, which should prepare me well for a career in the academia. The concentration on TESOL or TEFL in the Oxford programme makes it a perfect fit my long-term interests in the discipline. Such a concentration is unavailable at other programmes in the UK. Indeed, modules such as Input and Interaction, Individual and Group Differences, and Producing and Communicating Meaning, which undertake a thorough analysis of certain aspects of classroom discourse to understand their overall impact on SLA, and involve a detailed exploration of psychological models of language processing and social models of linguistic identity make the programme at Oxford an exciting prospect. Finally, I perceive that the methodological rigour of the modules that form part of the MSc curriculum is stronger than elsewhere in the UK, where there is a proliferation of MA programmes in the subject. Even after extensive engagement with the conferences and publications of the Polish Association for Applied Linguistics and surveying the courses available at Polish universities, where I could have the opportunity to study my native language in the wider context of the discipline, I still would like to study at Oxford since the programme would ensure a diverse, multicultural experience and the possibility of applying theories in the field. 2. Could you please identify what you consider are the major issues or themes within the study of Applied Linguistics? From my experience and understanding, I consider language acquisition in children, bilingualism, vocabulary acquisition, and accessing meaning to be the major issues within the study of Applied Linguistics. Beyond these, I feel that language development and education, language assessment (including testing and error analysis), communicative modes of language pedagogy, and interaction hypothesis in SL teaching, the role of Chomsky’s Universal Grammar in L2 acquisition are salient concerns of the discipline. In fact, the spread of the English language as a socio-cultural phenomenon, especially its development as a lingua franca or ‘vehicular language’, and its effects on socio-linguistics remains a recurrent theme that I have encountered during my studies at the undergraduate level. The linkages of the same with psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and critical discourse analysis in stylistics has broadened the scope of Applied Linguistics, making it an essential tool for understanding socio-cultural events and developments. My acquaintance with these aspects of the discipline, gathered through my undergraduate coursework and personal reading, makes me confident my ideas shall be further enhanced at Oxford, as I am introduced to newer concepts or novel approaches to already familiar ones. 3. As you are undoubtedly aware, a dissertation forms part of the assessment for this course. Could you please identify what you intend to research or investigate if you were to be granted a place on this course? I am not a native speaker of English and hence have always been interested in SLA, and my experiences during English as L2 and German as L3 learning turned this curiosity into an academic fascination. Though these experiences, I have been able to develop a basis of judgment for the efficacy of different learning strategies like meta-cognitive, cognitive, social mediation, etc. My extensive experience within the classroom as teacher of English as a foreign language has helped me observe the language acquisition process in children; I intend to put this know-how to good use during the programme. At the moment, I do not have any particular topic in mind for my dissertation: this is in part because I would like to take the advice of the Oxford faculty with regard to my research ideas, and in part because I remain sure that my thoughts shall evolve as I undertake graduate coursework at the university. Nevertheless, some of the areas I am most interested in are: bilingualism – focusing on bilingual acquisition in children, ‘code-switching’ and bilingual language development; linkages between verb semantics and Morpho-Syntax, researching the phenomenon of dative, locative, and causative or inchoactive alternations. Moreover, I am extremely interested in the methods of processing second language lexicons, especially how words are represented and given meaning in bilingual lexicons, and assessed in language production and comprehension. In addition, the area of critical age hypothesis, where the relationship between age and SLA (particularly pronunciation and level of advancement) is explored remains another area of interest in which I could conduct graduate research. E-mail: “I apologise for the late reply. Due to certain unforeseen circumstances of a personal nature, I could not respond to your e-mail right away. Given the gravity of the communication, I did not wish to jeopardise my chances by sending an incoherently drafted set of answers. Instead, I took the time for some careful introspection and responded accordingly. I hope this does not cause any undue inconvenience. If so, I apologise profusely once more. Thank you for your time and patience. I look forward to hearing from you very soon. Sincerely, …” Read More