Department of Linguistics
M.A. in Linguistics
Option: Teaching English as a Second Language
- Graduate Study in Linguistics | Program Strengths | Our Graduate Students | Resources and Support | Faculty | Quick Facts
Dr. Chris Golston, Department Chair
Dr. Brian Agbayani, Graduate Coordinator
Graduate Study in Linguistics
Linguistics as a discipline is relatively young, although the study of the nature of human languages is as old as recorded history. The first department of linguistics was established in 1935 and only six departments existed until 1960. Today, 132 departments award undergraduate and graduate degrees, with 96 awarding the M.A. degree and 57 awarding the Ph.D. The graduate degree program at California State University, Fresno was established in 1967 and has continued as one of the finest in the western United States.
The Master of Arts degree in Linguistics is designed to increase the student's knowledge and understanding of linguistics and its application to fields like computer science, law, and teaching English as a second language. The M.A. degree is in general linguistics and the program also provides an option in Teaching English as a Second Language. Both options have a minimum requirement of 30 units of coursework, both provide the background needed for independent inquiry into language issues, processes and structures, and both prepare students for employment in any field where the ability to analyze human language is required.
- The general linguistics program is designed to train students who expect to do further graduate work, to teach linguistics at the college level, to do linguistic field work on less-studied languages, or to specialize in computational linguistics or forensic linguistics.
- The option in Teaching English as a Second Language prepares students for further graduate work in applied linguistics and serves those who wish to teach English to speakers of other languages at any educational level, either abroad or in this country. The TESL option specifically meets the needs of English language teachers in this region, where the number of English language learners (ELLs) has increased to over 30% in regional school districts.
Program Strengths
The major strength of the advanced degree program in Linguistics is the strong foundation in general linguistics provided to all M.A. students, including those selecting the TESL option. Because of their excellent training, graduates from the program are very competitive in seeking jobs.
A particular strength of the program and the department is that it also offers non-Western languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Hmong. In keeping with the growing multilingual arena in the San Joaquin Valley, the department has begun a concentration on the teaching of Hmong and the training of teachers of English for Hmong speakers. A number of the faculty are now working on the structure of Hmong and related languages, contributing to language maintenance and preservation, and supporting the development of successful teaching materials and learning strategies.
Our Graduate Students
The Linguistics Department has done an excellent job in the development of its master's degree program and in recruiting, training, and graduating outstanding students. Since 1992-93, over 150 M.A. degrees have been awarded, with an average yearly enrollment in the program of 35
The employment records and the doctoral programs to which M.A. recipients have been admitted attest to the very high quality of the students and the program. Most of our alumni are teaching in the United States or overseas, or are currently enrolled in Ph.D. programs around the world.
International students comprise 60-65% of the departmental enrollment, with the largest number coming from the Pacific Rim countries, but also a fair number from Europe, the mid-east, and Africa.
These students are particularly attracted to the program because they want a strong grounding in current developments in general linguistics plus a program in TESL. With this invigorating mix of international students, we boast one of the most diverse student populations in the state.
Resources and Support
The American English Institute (AEI), an intensive English program for international students, plays a crucial role in the training of graduate students in the TESL option of the degree. Graduate students can observe classes and are hired by AEI to teach English language courses and, under the supervision of faculty, acquire valuable classroom experience.
The Linguistics Department offers a number of graduate assistantships to graduate students who can work as graders, tutors, or computer lab assistants.
The Linguistics Department encourages students with superior writing skills to apply for TA positions teaching ESL writing courses.
The department offers a number of teaching and graduate assistantships to graduate students who can assist in the teaching of beginning Japanese, Chinese, and Hmong languages.
The Linguistics Department recommends several new students for the Provost's Scholarships and President's Fellowships.
New international students are encouraged to apply for New Student Tuition Waiver Scholarships. (Contact the Graduate Coordinator or International Programs Office).
The Department offers two Keiko Weitzman Memorial Scholarships each year.