Testimonials
Studying TESOL in the Department of Applied Linguistics at GSU was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I learned not only linguistic knowledge of the English language but also crucial pedagogical skills and attitudes to be a qualified ESL professional.
Kyeongseon Lee(Korea), MA, 2005
MA Program
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The Department of Applied Linguistics and English as
a Second Language offers a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics that
integrates the study of linguistic theory with practical applications
and focuses on the language acquisition needs of the adult or near-adult
learner of an additional language. Students receive the theoretical and
practical foundational knowledge needed to teach language at the postsecondary
level and to progress to doctoral work in applied linguistics or other
language-study or language-teaching related areas.
In addition to required courses in such areas as second language acquisition
theory, approaches to language teaching, pedagogical grammar, and intercultural
communication, students may choose elective courses in sociolinguistics,
pragmatics, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, assessment, second
language literacy theory and a number of other areas. Course work culminates
with the compilation and presentation of an academic and professional
preparation portfolio, which may be digitized and Internet-accessible
if the graduate wishes.
All students acquire language teaching experience while in the program
either by teaching in the Atlanta area, at Georgia State University or
for one of a number of volunteer programs for immigrant learners, or by
going abroad in the Peace Corps or other programs. Study abroad opportunities
also exist, with exchange programs established in Canada, Mexico, and Turkey.