Different Applied Linguistics courses are offered online each semester. The following courses have been previously offered online by the Applied Linguistics department:
APLING 601 Linguistics
This course examines the nature and origin of language, the history of linguistics, and new theoretical developments in the field. Principles of language analysis phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics are discussed. The course systematically compares the structure of English with a variety of other languages.
APLING 603 Cross Cultural Perspectives
This course is designed to help students develop perceptions of cultural similarities and differences from knowledge of concepts and meanings of culture. Special emphasis will be given to issues of linguistic and cultural discontinuities, the acculturation process, minority education, and interethnic communication. Discussions and research will be directed toward developing multicultural educational programs and activities.
APLING 605 Theories and Principles of Language Teaching
This course is designed to present students with a theoretical background in the principles and methods of teaching English as a second language. It presents concepts from the fields of linguistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and education as they relate to language teaching theory. In addition to these influences on the field of ESL, the course will include a survey of major methodological approaches to ESL teaching in order to evaluate how well theory has been applied to practice.
APLING 611 Methods and Materials in Foreign Language Instruction
This course seeks (1) to relate methods of teaching a foreign language to current Second Language Acquisition (SLA), research and theory and evaluate these methods; (2) to discuss classroom problems in light of current SLA theory; (3) to look critically at textbooks and create new, specific course material to be tested and shared among all class participants. The course's hands on approach bridges the gap between theoreticians and classroom practitioners: Students are encouraged through reading, discussion, teaching demonstrations, and classroom observations to explore and define the language teacher's role and to question their experience as language learners and teachers.
APLING 612 Integrating Culture into the Language Curriculum
This course takes a hands-on approach and bridges the gap between theoreticians and classroom practitioners. Participants can tie in their critical understanding of cross-cultural perspectives into numerous aspects of the language curriculum. They explore how culture has been taught traditionally and how cultural values are embodied in authentic documents. They gain awareness of potential cultural conflicts between their own culture and the culture they teach or their students’ culture. Discussion and research are directed towards developing instructional units based on a large variety of authentic documents that reflect multicultural diversity and help students discover and resolve cultural conflicts. Prerequisite: Apling 603.
APLING 614 Foundations of Bilingual/Multicultural Education
This course is designed to expose students to issues pertaining to the historical, philosophical, legal, and theoretical foundations of bilingualism, bilingual & multicultural education. Through the study of the relevant literature, students will develop a theoretical/philosophical framework that will enable them to better understand the politics of diversity and multiculturalism and their implications for education in the United States and across the globe.
APLING 618 Teaching ESL: Methods and Approaches
This course will familiarize students with methods of language teaching, such as audiolingualism, cognitive code and notional functionalism, and the more specific methodological models that represent extensions and adaptations of these differing perspectives. In addition, approaches to teaching English language skills and techniques that transcend skill areas will be studied and evaluated.
APLING 621 Psycholinguistics
Contemporary issues in the fields of first and second language development and bilingualism will be addressed within the framework of the psychological development of the individual, from early childhood through adolescence. Theories of learning will also be addressed, particularly as they have been used to explain language development, including behaviorism, cognitive psychology, Piagetian constructivist theory, Vygotsky’s Social Interactionism and Freirean critical consciousness and praxis.
APLING 623 Sociolinguistics
This course will focus on the study of language variation, and its social, political and cultural significance. Students will evaluate current sociolinguistic theory and research and will conduct mini-projects of their own. Topics of study will include language attitudes, language identity and language and power.
APLING 625 Second Language Acquisition
Exploring the acquisition of representative language forms or language functions by second language speakers, this course draws on contrastive linguistics for patterns of systematic variation among languages, or continua along which languages vary; and draws on empirical second language research for regularities in learners’ performance that reveal how their individual, internal representations of the target language systematically change with meaningful exposure to that language.
APLING 627 Phonetics and Phonemics
This course will cover the sound system of English and the principles of phonetics and phonemics as well as provide an introduction to phonology. Students will practice using this knowledge to do error analysis and to teach aural/oral skills.
APLING 629 The Structure of the English Language
This course covers ways of describing the structure of English, starting with traditional methods used in many textbooks and finishing with alternative methods. It will discuss teaching methodologies and sociolinguistic considerations, and provide opportunities for practice in applying these theories and techniques.
APLING L669 Writing Theories in Second Language Instruction
This course will consider the key issues in writing theory, research and pedagogy as they are specifically related to writing in a second language. It will introduce students to the existing research and developing theories on the composing process and examine, critique, and evaluate current traditional theories and practices by exploring the ways in which theory and research can be translated into instruction.
APLING 670 Testing in the Bilingual/ESL Classroom
Students will become familiar with language proficiency and language dominance testing and with other measurement and evaluative procedures needed in the administration and instruction of limited English proficient students in ESL and bilingual programs.
APLING L673 Teaching Reading in the Bilingual/ESL Classroom
Current reading theories are analyzed in reference to bilingual and ESL reading practices. Specific reading methodologies, materials and strategies are explored.
APLING 678 Technology in Language Education
This course has three primary goals: (1) to help the students become computer literate; (2) to survey the various kinds of technological resources available for use in the ESL classroom; and (3) to critically evaluate the use of technology in the ESL classroom and the extent to which it is compatible with current theories of language acquisition.
APLING 698 Practicum/Field Experience
A supervised, on-site experience in the teaching of bilingual education or ESL on an elementary or secondary level, or in a social or educational agency serving limited English proficient students. Students must meet with their academic advisor to discuss available practicum options. Students interested in a certification practicum must meet with the certification specialist to discuss options.
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