Applied Linguistics

Course Overview

​​The discipline of applied linguistics investigates a range of issues around language in contemporary society. Among these, the most prominent issues — and the central topics of the M.Phil. in Applied Linguistics — are those surrounding second and foreign language education. It is often said that globalisation has made the learning of additional languages an essential goal in education, but in truth, language learning has been important in most places at most times. In spite of this, language education in its various aspects was under-researched until the 1960s, so applied linguistics is a relatively young but increasingly important field.



There are two central strands in the applied linguistics of language teaching and learning. One, usually called second language acquisition, investigates the psychology of language learning, which is a phenomenon that is not confined to the classroom or other instructed contexts. The other, second language pedagogy, focuses on instruction at various different scales: language education policy, curriculum, teaching methods, and learning tasks. Given this educational focus, applied linguistics draws not only on linguistics, but also on educational psychology, educational philosophy, social psychology, and cognitive psychology, among other disciplines.



Is This Course For Me?

Students need not have any background in linguistics or applied linguistics. They are normally expected to have language teaching experience. Indeed, many of our students have been practising teachers who wish to expand their career horizons by deeper study of the current state of the art in language education. In particular, CLCS has from the start been closely involved with the development of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the associated European Language Portfolio. The rationale for and practical use of these increasingly important tools are a recurring theme in the course.



Course Structure

This course can be taken full-time across one year or part-time across two years.

Each term, full-time students take two core modules and one elective, for a total of four core modules and two electives across the year.



Part-time students take one core module each term in their first year. In their second year, they take the remaining two core modules. They take one elective each year.

Course Content

Students take four core modules, including: Describing Grammar; Language Acquisition; Second Language Curriculum Planning and Implementation; and Language Testing.



Students then choose two electives among the following menu of elective modules available every year: Corpus Linguistics; Computer Assisted Language Learning; Linguistic Pragmatics; Multilingualism; Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching; and Speech and Language Technology in Education; Technology, Language, and Communication.



In the final phase of the course, students prepare and write a 15,000-word dissertation.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a good honours degree (at least an upper second or equivalent; GPA of at least 3.2). Previous knowledge of applied linguistics is not a requirement. Normally only graduates with language teaching experience are admitted to the course in Applied Linguistics.



Applicants must provide a Personal Statement explaining their motivation in applying for their chosen course(s).



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band C (Higher Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band C, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date 30th June 2025

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this programme have followed various career paths in language education and other language professions, in a variety of roles such as linguistics researcher, interpreter, business consultant and language programme manager. Many have opted to pursue research at a higher level through the Ph.D., here in CLCS or elsewhere. For some, Ph.D. research has led to professional academic employment.