Course Description (M.A. English Language Studies and Teaching)

Pre-foundation Courses (non-credit)

ND 4000   Foundation for Graduate Studies    3 credit (non-credit)

An overview of Thai government, Thai economy, Thai business, Thai society, codes of ethics for executives and academics, personality development, physical and mental health, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Thai for communication, academic report writing, and sufficiency economy and development.

 

Foundation Courses (3 credits) Track A(2) , Track B

MLT 5000 Academic and Research Writing    3 credits

This course introduces students to important concepts used in the preparation of M.A.-level academic and research writing and thinking skills. The course will help students develop essential academic writing skills in English for clear and accurate written communication. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to articulate a knowledge-base in written format with reference to conventions of style and organization as well as to develop critical thinking skills necessary for academic and research writing.

 

Core Courses (9 credits) Track A(2) , Track B

MLT 6000 English Linguistics    3 credits

This course examines the nature, structure, and variations of languages in general and English in particular. Aspects of language discussed include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The course ultimately aims at providing students with tools to effectively understand language, especially English language.

MLT 6001 Principles of English Language Studies and Teaching    3 credits

This course focuses on understanding English language and language teaching essentials from various theoretical perspectives within linguistics, language studies, and pedagogies. It introduces systemic functional linguistics, text and discourse analysis, and formal approaches to linguistics, and language teaching. It also demonstrates applications of these approaches to reveal how people use English language in society, how learners learn the language, how human brains process language, and how English should be taught.

MLT 6002 Research Methods for English Language Studies and Teaching    3 credits

This course aims to help students establish understanding of research approaches, terminology, and proposal writing in the areas of English language studies and teaching. The content will include the key issues in the process of designing and conducting methodologically sound quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research, and the issues related to research ethics and the convention associated with research paper writing.

 

Elective Courses

Track A(2)   9 credits     Track B  15 credits

MLT 7101 English Phonetics and Phonology    3 credits

This course aims at offering practical training in the English phonetic transcription of consonants, vowels, and connected speech. Significant features and characteristics involving speech acoustics and phonological rules will be introduced. Current research problems in sound analysis produced by speakers who use English as a second or a foreign language will be explored.      

MLT 7102 Sociolinguistics    3 credits

This course presents aspects of linguistics concerned with the connections between language and society and the way people use language in different social situations. The content includes regional and social dialects, language and gender, age, and social status. It further covers studies on societal multilingualism, language change and language planning.

MLT 7103 Discourse Analysis and Applications    3 credits

This course analyzes the dialectical construct of language, language users, and context. Emphasis is on how meaning is interpreted in situated contexts and how these constructions relate to social and cultural norms, preferences, and expectations. It gives an introduction to the major approaches in pragmatics and discourse analysis. The course also provides an overview of discourse analysis research and its applications.

MLT 7104 Media and English Language    3 credits

This course explores English as an international language for communication in various media platforms.  It also covers communication principles and aspects of media in the use of English.  The course emphasis is on applications and practices.

MLT 7105 Intercultural and Cross-cultural Communication in English    3 credits

This course redefines roles and implications of intercultural and cross-cultural communication in English in a VUCA world that is more unstable, unpredictable, multilayered, and difficult to comprehend. Learners will have the opportunity to explore culture-based values that undergird intercultural and cross-cultural interaction. The course also aims at developing learners’ intercultural communication flexibility through constant exposure to real-life situations in which culture interrelates with and influences communication processes in various contexts. 

MLT 7201 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition    3 credits

This course introduces students to theories and principles that have been advanced to explain second language acquisition from the cognitive-psychological and social perspectives, with an emphasis on the former. It explores how linguistic and non-linguistic factors influence second language learning in the naturalistic and instructional settings. The course also presents students with opportunities to discuss how these SLA theories and principles can be applied in onsite and online classroom teaching practices.

MLT 7202 English Language Teaching Methodology and Assessment    3 credits

This course focuses on practical methods of English language teaching that reflect current major trends as well as alternatives. Also discussed are how different learning contexts may influence pedagogical practices, and how teaching methods are practically connected with contemporary assessment principles. Students will discuss opportunities and challenges in implementing contemporary instructional methods in various teaching and learning contexts.

MLT 7203 English Language Teaching in Professional Contexts    3 credits

This course focuses on current approaches to English language teaching for specific purposes. The content includes an introduction to key concepts and good practices in the teaching of a variety of branches of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) as well as issues in the areas of needs analysis, course design, language audits, material design, program evaluation and accountability, and testing techniques. Students will be familiarized with key concepts, theories and methodology of ESP and the range of research in this field along with opportunities to develop a comprehensive understanding of ESP which can be useful for a specific, professional context. 

MLT 7204 Translation for English Language Studies and Teaching    3 credits

This course explores translation principles and practice in language teaching and learning. This course introduces translation as an aid to language acquisition, and language pedagogy. It also provides translation mechanism as an educational insight into relationships between languages and cultures through hands-on practice using various translation case studies. Emphasis is also placed on codes of conduct and ethical considerations in this field.

MLT 7300 Directed Studies     3 credits

This course focuses on a topic not available through regular coursework.  Students work under supervision on a carefully planned and student-initiated project, which may also include an internship or preparation for thesis writing. Prior approval is necessary.

 

Seminar Course (3 credits)

MLT 8000  Seminar in English Language Studies and Teaching    3 credits

This course emphasizes discussion on various dimensions of English language studies and teaching. The discussion aims to stimulate a desired level of critical thinking. That is, students will be able to explain theoretical concepts and ideas, draw connections among them and justify a stand or decision.

 

Independent Study (6 credits)

MLT 9000 Independent Study    6 credits

This course prepares students to conduct an independent study on a topic under their advisor’s supervision. The independent study should be sharply focused an must be finished within a single semester.

 

Thesis (12 credits)

MLT 9004 Thesis    12 credits

The thesis involves a student-initiated research report on a topic related to English language studies and teaching to be carried out under an advisor’s supervision, in conjunction with an oral examination (i.e., oral defense of a thesis proposal and a completed thesis). The study must be extensive and meet the stipulated research standards.