Theoretical and Applied Linguistics University of Cambridge

Overview

The Theoretical and Applied Linguistics course from the University of Cambridge aims:

• to give students the opportunity to acquire expertise in their specific research interests in part by offering the opportunity of specialisation through pathways in the linguistics of particular languages (eg English, Romance, Celtic etc.), or areas such as applied linguistics;
• to provide foundations for continuation to PhD research;
• to offer the opportunity to participate in research culture within and beyond the Faculty, by attending and contributing to graduate seminars and reading groups; and
• to develop the research skills required to conduct independent research such as:
• formulating a realistic research proposal, with suitably delineated aims, objectives, methods, scope and expected outcome;
• preparing written work based on the proposal;
• selecting and mastering suitable research methods;
• collecting relevant bibliography;
• using computer databases and corpora;
• using relevant software, including statistical packages where appropriate; and
• presenting well-argued academic material to the wider research community.

Key facts:

By the end of the programme students will have developed:

• a deeper knowledge and understanding of linguistic theories and problems addressed in cutting-edge research in theoretical and applied linguistics and related areas;
• the skill of critically assessing current research and methods in theoretical and applied linguistics and related areas;
• the methodological and other technical skills necessary for research in their chosen area;
• improved presentation skills through presenting their research in progress; and
• the skills and confidence to engage in scholarly debate.