Chair
Ron Thomson
Professors Emeriti
Hedy M. McGarrell, John Sivell
Professors
Thomas S. C. Farrell, David Hayes, Gary Libben, Ron Thomson
Associate Professors
Lynn Dempsey, Andrew Lee, Cheng Luo
Academic Advisor
Tayler Shannon
General Information
Administrative Assistant
Arlene Arch
905-688-5550, extension 3374
Mackenzie Chown D450F
brocku.ca/appliedling@brocku.ca
Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field focused on the application of findings and techniques from research in linguistics and related areas. Students studying Applied Linguistics at Brock University learn about the structure of language and how to apply linguistic theories and methods of linguistic analysis to such areas as first or second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, language teaching methodology, and communication sciences and disorders.
Applied Linguistics provides an opportunity to apply scientific reasoning to language-based problem solving. A background in applied linguistics is essential for language teachers, translators, speech-language pathologists, audiologists and many other language professionals. Linguistic knowledge can also provide a valuable foundation for human interaction and communication in a wide variety of other fields.
The Department of Applied Linguistics offers programs of study leading to Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Applied Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language, and Speech Language and Hearing Sciences. Students completing the Honours Speech Language and Hearing Sciences degree select a specialized concentration in either Hearing Sciences or Speech and Language Sciences after Year 1.
The Department also offers a four-year program of study leading to a BA with Major in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, Pass BA degrees in Applied Linguistics, and Speech Language and Hearing Sciences and Certificates in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, and Teaching English as a Second Language as well as a Minor in Applied Linguistics.
Skills-development courses in American Sign Language and Academic English as a Second Language are also offered.
Applied Linguistics
Students have the opportunity to learn about theories concerning the analysis of language and their applications. Along with Introduction to General Linguistics (LING 1P94 and LING 1P95 ), the Department offers foundation courses focusing on the sounds of language (phonetics and phonology), relationships among words in language (syntax), mutual influence between culture (and other group membership) and language (sociolinguistics), and ways in which language is used in context (pragmatics and discourse analysis) and is acquired.
Students wishing to major in any of the programs of study offered by the Department of Applied Linguistics must apply to declare their major. Declare or Change Major Application forms are available on-line at https://brocku.ca/registrar/toolkit/forms/ from the Office of the Registrar. Students in three- and four-year degree programs normally register for courses according to the program of study effective at the time they first declared their major.
The faculty of the Department of Applied Linguistics believe that students benefit from a broadly based liberal arts background in conjunction with a Major in Applied Linguistics, Applied Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language, and Speech Language and Hearing Sciences. Students are therefore encouraged to acquire some background in other academic disciplines as part of their undergraduate education. Students who wish to pursue a four-year Honours degree must apply to be admitted to Year 4 after completing 15 credits. Application forms for Year 4 admission are available on-line at brocku.ca/webfm_send/1377 and in the Office of the Registrar.
The requirements for graduation with a BA (Honours) are a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average. The requirements for a BA with Major are a minimum 60 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average.
Applied Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language
This program provides background in theories and methodologies relevant to the learning and teaching of English as a second language. Teaching English to non-English speakers is a complex process that requires an appropriate background in the theories and methodologies of language teaching and learning and a period of supervised teaching. For example, students have opportunities to learn about first- and second-language acquisition, the structure of English, language testing and methodologies for teaching specific language skills. Practice teaching is an essential feature of this program.
Graduating students from the Applied Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language program normally are eligible for employment as teachers of English as a Second Language in a variety of Canadian and International settings. Outstanding graduating students may be eligible for admission to graduate programs in Applied Linguistics (TESL).
Speech Language and Hearing Sciences
Students in this major have the opportunity to learn about basic sciences (e.g, biology), basic communication processes, including the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, acoustics, linguistics, child language development and about selected disorders of human communication. Students who have successfully completed Year 1 of the Honours program will select a Concentration in Hearing Sciences or Speech and Language Sciences. To be admitted to a concentration students must have a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average with a minimum grade of 60% in each of LING 1P93 and LING 1P94 . Students must submit a Declare or Change Major Application form (https://brocku.ca/registrar/toolkit/forms/) to the Office of the Registrar to apply to a concentration. The deadline to submit a concentration application is May 15. Only those students admitted to a concentration who graduate with a BA (Honours) will have their concentration recognized on their diploma or official transcript.
Concentration in Hearing Sciences
The Concentration in Hearing Sciences is designed for Honours Speech Language and Hearing Sciences students who are seeking a specialized course of study relevant for careers in Audiology and related fields. Students have the opportunity to prepare to apply for admission to masters or clinical doctorate programs in Audiology (AuD); admissions to graduate schools are, however, offered only on a competitive basis. The minimum qualification to practice Audiology in Canada and the United States is currently a Master’s degree.
Concentration in Speech Language Sciences
The Concentration in Speech Language Sciences is designed for Honours Speech Language and Hearing Sciences students who are seeking a specialized course of study relevant for careers in Speech-Language Pathology and related fields. Students have the opportunity to prepare to apply for admission to graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology. The minimum qualification to practice Speech-Language Pathology in Canada and the United States is a Master’s degree.
Students in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences 4-year with Major and BA Pass programs have the opportunity to prepare for admission to a variety of post-baccalaureate programs including Communication Disorders Assistants (CDA) programs and Faculty of Education.
Program Notes
- BIOL 1P91 and BIOL 1P92 are strongly recommended for Speech Language Sciences students intending to complete courses in human physiology. LING 2P90 and one of BIOL 2P97 , HLSC 2P09 meets the human physiology requirement for some graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology. Students should consult graduate programs prior to making course selections.
- Applied Linguistics and Child and Youth Studies students must take one-half credit from two separate clusters.
- Admission to year 4 (Honours) Applied Linguistics and Child and Youth Studies program is by application through the Child and Youth Studies Department. Students wishing to apply for the course work option are required to have a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 70 percent average in CHYS 3P10 and CHYS 3P15 . Students wishing to apply for either an individual thesis or applied research project are required to have a minimum 75 major average and a 75 percent combined average in CHYS 3P10 and CHYS 3P15 .
- In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.