Bilingualism and Multilingualism (MA) - 2012/2013 entry

This programme provides a solid background in applied linguistics and will give you the opportunity to explore the linguistic, social and cognitive implications of bilingualism – in the individual and in social groups. It will also provide you with the necessary skills to carry out research in various areas of bilingualism.

We offer research supervision in a variety of sub-disciplines: second language acquisition; bilingualism; sociolinguistics; psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics; pragmatics; linguistic analysis; cross-cultural communication; and translation studies. Your dissertation can cover one or more of these areas.

We are committed to an ongoing programme of innovation in teaching and research, which makes extensive use of a sophisticated IT base. Staff specialise in research into various aspects of language use and language functions in both the individual and society at large. Teaching and research are characterised by a strong cross-linguistic perspective, with academic staff combining an interest in the theoretical underpinnings of their various disciplines with an awareness of the practical implications of those disciplines. All academic staff are active in state-of-the-art teaching and research, and bilingualism at Birkbeck enjoys a strong international reputation for quality teaching and research.

We have established links with professional bodies such as SIETAR and charities such as CISV and Raleigh.

• Applied linguistics has been taught at Birkbeck for over 30 years, (making this one of the oldest departments in the world), by leading researchers in the field.
• Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach, with staff expertise in a wide range of sub-disciplines, from humanities to social sciences and life sciences.
• Strong research culture with a large number of PhD/MPhil students.

You will take the following compulsory modules, providing a grounding in linguistics and applied linguistics, as well as research methods training:

• Introduction to Applied Linguistics
• Research Methods and Design.

Option modules are chosen from a wide range of subjects, leading to specialisation in an area of focus for your research. These may include:

• Core Issues in Language Teaching and TESOL
• International Management Communication
• Issues in Translation
• Language Behaviour and Brain Mechanisms
• Language, Culture and Communication
• Linguistic Analysis
• Marketing Communications: An Introduction 
• Professional and Business Communication
• Professional Development for Language Teaching
• Psycholinguistics of Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism
• Second Language Acquisition
• Sociolinguistics.

Note: option modules are subject to change.

We have a multimedia library and computing facilities. Birkbeck Library has a large holding of books, as well as over 40 current print journal subscriptions in the subject area, with an additional 100 available electronically. We are located within walking distance of libraries at the Institute of Education, School of Oriental and African Studies, University College London, and Senate House. Students benefit from intercollegiate seminars and lectures offered by various departments located in Bloomsbury. There is an active student-run Linguistics Society, which hosts events and speakers throughout the year.

The department hosts one of the leading international refereed journals in the field: The International Journal of Bilingualism. The editor is also Chair of the International Symposia on Bilingualism.

Find out more about the student support and facilities we offer.

If you are interested in further research, we offer an MPhil/PhD in Applied Linguistics.

Graduates go on to careers in language teaching and education, publishing, translating and interpreting, and education management. 

• We recommend you apply as early as possible. Later applications may also be considered, subject to availability of places.