Applied Linguistics (Teaching English As a Foreign Language) – (M.A.)

The one-year programme focuses on the process of learning and using a second language. It covers various fields of study because second language acquisition can be approached from many different angles, including cognition, psychology, social interaction, language teaching and culture. The programme enables students to specialize in their language of choice, not only English and Dutch but also German, French, Spanish, Swedish, etc.

This Master´s degree programme introduces students to the field of linguistics, language acquisition and language teaching theory, and enables them to apply the insights acquired to teaching a foreign language to groups of students with different language backgrounds. It also prepares students for further academic research in the field of language learning and language use and to apply the knowledge acquired to setting up language teaching courses and programmes.

However, this Master is not a degree in the Faculty of Education; therefore, it does not focus on curriculum development and practical applications. It is an academic degree that offers theoretical insights to help assess language teaching methods and other applied linguistics research.

Graduates of the programme will be able to participate in the important debates concerning theory, methodology and interpretation in the field of Second Language Teaching. They will have developed skills and gained the practical experience needed to undertake further research, and will be competent at setting up language-teaching projects. They are also equipped to take positions on a European level that deal with issues of language policy. They may have careers in language research, language education, language policy and publishing.