AUT - Master of Arts in Applied Language Studies
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Master of Arts in Applied Language Studies
The Master of Arts – Applied Language Studies is relevant to those people who would like to take their language skills to a higher level.
This programme covers language analysis and looks at the impact of language, culture and communication on our society. A significant component of this programme is research based.
Students carry out research into specialised areas, such as language teaching, translation and interpreting, and literacy development.
- Master of Arts – Applied Language Studies study guide
(32 pages/684kb)
On this page
- Who is this programme for?
- How is this programme taught?
- Entry criteria
- What this programme offers
- Our graduates - Julia Zelenkova
- Career opportunities
- Papers
Who is this programme for?
- Graduates with a background in language, education, translation and interpreting
- Graduates and professionals in the above areas who are interested in a research masters
Recent graduates of the programme completed a thesis in topics such as:
- Aspects of discourse in advertisements
- politeness strategies in film subtitles
- the effectiveness of increasing awareness of learning strategies
- first and second language development from birth
- task-based instruction in second language classrooms
- ethnographic investigations of literacy in the workplace.
How is the programme taught?
Students can do the programme full time over 2 years, or part-time over 5 years.Classes are in the late afternoon/early evening to suit students who are also working.
All papers include some blended learning - this can range from readings and the handbook posted online, to online tutorials and discussions.
Entry criteria
Students need to have:
- A relevant undergraduate degree with B pass average or better
- Academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 6 in each band and not less than 7 in speaking and writing.
What this programme offers
The Applied Language Studies major in the MA offers graduates in English and other languages the following features:
- Advanced education and professional study in the areas of second language teaching and learning, general and social linguistics, discourse analysis, intercultural communication and research methodology
- Specialisation in one of the following areas:
- International organisational communication (both government and private sectors)
- Second language teaching and learning (including ESL)
- Translation
- interpreting
- Literacy development and language awareness studies (for the secondary school English curriculum)
- Discourse studies
- Sociolinguistics
- New Zealand English
- Academic literacies
- Digital literacies
- English
- Japanese
- Chinese culture and language.
Our graduates speak - Julia Zelenkova
Originally from Russia, Julia says the academic support she received while doing her Applied Language Studies Masters was “unbelievable”.
Career opportunities
- First and second language education
- Literacy development (school to workplace settings)
- Research
- Translation and/or interpreting
Papers
Applicants must discuss their intended papers and study sequence with the programme leader before enrolling in papers.
Taught papers (representing one year full time study):
- Language Analysis
- Language Culture and Communication
- Research Methods
- Language in Virtual Worlds
- Specialty Reading Paper
Thesis (equivalent of one year full time study)
Students who successfully complete the taught papers and then decide that they don’t wish to continue with a thesis (or do not meet the grade criteria) can exit the programme with a Post Grad Dip Arts in Applied Language Studies.
168101 Language Analysis
168102 Language, Culture and Communication
168104 Discourse Analysis
168105 Specialty Reading Paper
168106 Translation: A Critical Approach
169014 Interpreting: A Critical Approach
169013 Language in Virtual Worlds: Presence, Theory, Practice
288501 Qualitative Research Methods
288502 Quantitative Research Methods
289702 Social Research Design and Analysis
288600 Policy Research and Evaluation
948410 Tikanga Rangahau: Research Methodologies
Thesis
109500 MA Thesis