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MA Bilingual Studies

The MA Bilingual Studies takes full advantage of the rich linguistic experience offered by Wales’ own bilingual context, as well as Trinity University College’s long established expertise within this field. Trinity is a part of an extended network of institutions across Europe where bilingualism and language planning is an everyday phenomenon.

Since the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999, there has been a renewed focus on safeguarding and revitalising the Welsh language within communities across Wales. Indeed, the creation of a bilingual society is a key theme within the Assembly Government’s strategy for Wales. The MA Bilingual Studies aims to place these exciting national developments in their historical, political, social, and international contexts.

This is the first degree of its kind in Europe and is a part of the University’s mission to contribute to the exciting range of initiatives in the field of language planning and bilingual development both in Wales and elsewhere.

Who is it for?

The degree aims to equip students with the background information and necessary skills to work confidently in the field of bilingualism and language planning.The course offers a range of experiences and would appeal to anyone involved in the development of the use of language in modern society, including:

• Language Officers
• Policy Makers & Government Officers
• Teachers & Trainers
• Translators
• Youth/Community Workers
• Those currently working in adult education in various countries
• Those developing learning opportunities for both youth and adult contexts

The degree has a broad focus and is, therefore, suitable for a range of professional fields.

Course Content

The degree offers different pathways to meet the professional demands of a variety of fields. It consists of 6 modules and a dissertation of 20,000 words. Students may choose from a range of modules according to their personal interests including:-

• Introduction to Bilingualism (definitions and differences)
• Bilingualism in Society (political aspects of language vitality)
• Cognitive Aspects of Bilingualism
• Models of Bilingual Teaching
• The Development of Bilingual Education in Wales
• The Nature of Enquiry
• Independent Study

Students will choose their own research subjects for the dissertation, based on aspects of the modules studied previously, and agreed in advance with the Course Co-ordinator. It is intended that students can conduct in-depth research into an area of professional interest.

On the successful completion of three modules, students will be eligible to exit the course with the University of Wales Postgraduate Certificate in Bilingual Studies. On the successful completion of six modules, students will be eligible for a University of Wales Postgraduate Diploma in Bilingual Studies. Students wishing to progress to the MA Bilingual Studies will undertake the additional dissertation.

Mode of Study

This course is offered on a part-time basis of up to four years.

Why Trinity?

• The University has expertise in the field of bilingualism and language planning
• Trinity is a part of a network of institutions across Europe involved in bilingualism and language planning
• The University has excellent resources in this area, as well as for continuing professional development
• The course is also part of the Modular Masters’ Programme which means that there is a choice of modules available to suit professional needs and personal interests

Programme Specification

Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• provide students with various aspects of bilingualism in Wales, whilst also referring to relevant international contexts;
• develop students’ ability to critically analyse the various factors involved in studying bilingualism and to relate those factors on an international level to the situation of Welsh in Wales;
• equip students for various vocations involved with bilingualism and enable them to apply basic principles, together with knowledge, understanding and subject based skills, to their daily vocational needs;
• introduce students to the most relevant research and thinking in the field which forms the basis for the most recent theories and learning;
• develop students’ transferable skills and enable them to research, interpret and critically evaluate;
• develop students’ cognitive skills including their ability to reason, to critically analyse, as well as to think creatively in appraising any current policies in the field of bilingualism and to propose improvements.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, understanding and relevant skills

On finishing the degree MA Bilingual Studies, it is expected that students will have developed the following knowledge, understanding and skills at the appropriate level of Higher Education.

• A knowledge and critical understanding of other linguistic and cultural contexts at an international level in communities and societies where bilingualism exists which will enable students to compare and contrast them with their own linguistic contexts, developing sensitivity and awareness of the linguistic similarities or dissimilarities between them.
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding. By developing the ability to critically analyse the various factors which are an integral part of the vitality of minority languages such as Welsh, it is expected that students will have respect for similar situations at an international level.
• A critical understanding of the policies practised in the linguistic contexts of a variety of countries.
• The ability to critically evaluate the factors which in the future could have a positive or negative influence on the vitality of their own mother tongue and culture,  including, for example, the policies of local authorities and public bodies regarding economics and housing.
• Knowledge of a range of specialist terminology pertaining to various aspects of bilingualism including aspects such as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language planning, language acquisition and their role in relation to educational  systems.
• Thorough knowledge of the main conceptual frameworks and the most recent research available in the field of bilingualism, together with the ability to consider the superiority and weaknesses of opposing ideas, explanations and testimonies.
• An understanding of alternative analyses of data and the ability to make an informed evaluation of those.
• The ability to exhibit an understanding of the relationship between the various factors which can influence the vitality of a language including political, social, cultural and educational factors.
• An awareness of the role of language in relation to nurturing, supporting and developing a national identity.
• Technological skills appropriate to the discipline, such as formulating bibliographies and referencing sources in a standard and consistent manner.
• The ability to apply recognized conceptual and analytical frameworks to new data.
• The ability to interpret data and quantitative and qualitative analyses presented in graphs, tables etc and to present similar data in the same way themselves.

Cognitive Skills

The cognitive skills connected with this programme allow students to:

• reflect critically in the light of a variety of evidence and viewpoints;
• collect, compile, synthesize and assimilate information from different written, oral and electronic sources, critically evaluate them and create a cohesive summary;
• organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and logical viewpoint;
• think analytically and appraisingly;
• endorse, describe and analyse problems and devise appropriate strategies for solving them;
• exhibit an understanding of key issues and problems and decide which type of data to collect in order to solve them;
• present / enunciate relevant evidence and use the appropriate data which is already available in order to solve problems.

Professional / Vocational Skills

The professional/vocational skills related to this programme will enable students to:

• rise to the challenge which faces individuals in the field of bilingualism and language planning;
• undertake projects concerned with various aspects in the field;
• undertake individual and team research to promote linguistic plans and strategies;
• analyse and interpret data concerned with various developments;
• exhibit proficiency in the use of ICT in presentations and in communication.

Key Transferable Skills

The key skills connected to this programme will enable students to:

• use ICT effectively as a means of communication, as a medium for learning and research, and to create organised and standard documentation;
• convey knowledge, ideas and debates convincingly and logically both orally and written;
• further cultivate their analytical and problem solving skills;
• adopt various and appropriate methodologies for conducting research, assessing their effectiveness and their individual practical and technological advantages and disadvantages;
• write essays using appropriate phraseology and correct referencing;
• manage their education in a self critical way, think and work independently making effective and efficient use of their time;
• plan and conduct an investigation or piece of research with the minimum of help, or completely independently;
• take part in scholarly discussion and present a body of ideas either orally or in written documentation which exhibits advanced literacy skills.

Fees

Fees are reviewed annually – contact us for further information.
Grants may be available through the General Teaching Council for Wales

How to Apply

For more information and to make an application, please contact:

Dr Hywel Glyn Lewis
01267 676680
h.lewis@trinity-cm.ac.uk

International Students please contact

International Office
+ 44 (0) 1267 676601
international@trinity-cm.ac.uk

This information is intended as a guide only. Please contact us to discuss the course.