Objectives & career options

General objectives
Structure
Distinctive Features
Resources and Facilities
Further Education
Career Opportunities
Scholarships and Funding
University Life

General objectives

Train for research in the field of Applied Linguistics second language teaching / foreign languages ¿¿with application to Spanish and / or English in particular, so that students can access, once the Master, to the preparation of a doctoral thesis in any of the following individuals:
- Spanish L2/FL
- English L2/FL
- Spanish and English L2/FL
- Theoretical perspectives on teaching and acquisition of second languages / foreign languages.
Train play, effectively, professional work in teaching Spanish and / or English as a second language / foreign language.

Structure

Structure of the Master’s Degree: credits and subject groups.
Distribution of subjects by module.
General course programme.

Structure of the Master’s Degree: credits and subject groups

Type of subject	Credits
Compulsory (OB)	15
Optional (OP)	30
Work Experience (OB)	3
Master’s final project (OB)	12
TOTAL CREDITS	60

Distribution of subjects by module

SEMESTER 1 30 ECTS			SEMESTER 2 30 ECTS
SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS	SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS
LINGUISTICS APPLIED TO TEACHING SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY	OB	6	NEW INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGES	OB	6
LINGUISTIC BASES FOR COURSE PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT IN TEACHING SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGES	OB	3	SPECIALISATION ROUTE SPANISH L2/FL ROUTE ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE SPANISH/ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE	OP	9
SPECIALISATION ROUTE SPANISH L2/FL ROUTE ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE SPANISH/ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE	OP	21		OP	9
			WORK EXPERIENCE	OB	3
			MASTER’S FINAL PROJECT	OB	12

Routes

The three routes included on the Master’s degree course have been designed to respond to the specialist interests of potential students.

Spanish L2/FL is designed for students seeking specialist training in teaching Spanish as a second/foreign language, and who wish to continue in this line of research for their doctoral thesis. Students opting for this specialisation must take the group of subjects providing advanced instruction in linguistic aspects pertaining to teaching Spanish at different levels (phonetics, grammar and lexicon), communication skills (oral comprehension and expression, and written comprehension and expression), specific methods and types of activities for teaching/learning Spanish at different skill levels, integrating Spanish literature and culture into teaching Spanish L2/FL, and understanding the sociocultural context of the language, as well as specific lines and methods of research in these areas.
English L2/FL is designed for students seeking specialist training in teaching English as a second/foreign language, and who wish to continue in this line of research for their doctoral thesis. Students opting for this specialisation must take the group of subjects groups providing advanced instruction in linguistic aspects pertaining to teaching English at different levels (phonetics, grammar and lexicon), communication skills (oral comprehension and expression, and written comprehension and expression), specific methods and types of activities for teaching/learning English at different skill levels, integrating English literature and culture into teaching English L2/FL, and understanding the sociocultural context of the language, as well as specific lines and methods of research in these areas.
Spanish/English L2/FL combines the study of various levels in one language (Spanish or English) with teaching in skills, literature and culture in the other language. Consequently, students choosing this route will obtain a global perspective of the methods, materials, activities and strategies, etc., that comprise the components and skills and use of literature and culture, involved in teaching second/foreign languages. The course also covers specific methods and lines of research in these subjects, similar to the monolingual routes. The linguistic elements of the two languages are examined from two complementary perspectives: levels and skills. Added to this is the advantage of a bilingual education and a dual perspective of linguistic analysis, as well as the advantage brought by studying these same contents from and in two different languages.

The three routes involve the same studies in terms of the conceptual tools that students need to deal with the challenges of research in teaching second/foreign languages and the search for suitable responses to the questions that can be raised by the factors involved in the process of teaching and learning second languages. They also help to focus students’ linguistic interests. Consequently, those opting for a monolingual route will specialise in the language chosen, whereas the lesser specialisation in one of the languages of those choosing the bilingual option will be compensated with a richer and broader perspective of linguistic insight, which is ideal in the multilingual and multicultural Europe of today for the process of teaching a foreign language.

SPANISH L2/FL ROUTE
SEMESTER 1			SEMESTER 2
SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS	SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS
PHONETICS. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6	WRITTEN COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6
GRAMMAR. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6	SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN SPANISH L2/FL TEACHING	OP	3
LEXICON. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	3
ORAL COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6

ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE
SEMESTER 1			SEMESTER 2
SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS	SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS
PHONETICS. ENGLISH L2/HIM	OP	6	WRITTEN COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6
GRAMMAR. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6	ENGLISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN ENGLISH L2/FL TEACHING	OP	3
LEXICON. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	3
ORAL COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6

SPANISH AND ENGLISH L2/FL ROUTE
SEMESTER 1			SEMESTER 2
SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS	SUBJECT	TYPE	ECTS
OPTION A
PHONETICS. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6	WRITTEN COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6
GRAMMAR. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6	ENGLISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN ENGLISH L2/FL TEACHING	OP	3
LEXICON. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	3
ORAL COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6
OPTION B
PHONETICS. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6	WRITTEN COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6
GRAMMAR. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	6	SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN SPANISH L2/FL TEACHING	OP	3
LEXICON. ENGLISH L2/FL	OP	3
ORAL COMPREHENSION AND EXPRESSION. SPANISH L2/FL	OP	6

General course programme

The compulsory Core Module (15 ECTS credits) covers subjects relating to common aspects of teaching second/foreign languages, which can be applied equally to Spanish and English. The module covers advanced aspects of linguistic models and theories in teaching and acquiring second/foreign languages, research processes and methods, as well as the bases for the various planning and development methods and tools used in the process of teaching and learning second/foreign languages. Also covered are the possibilities provided by information and communication technologies as a research tool, for independent learning and for developing the teaching and learning process of second/foreign languages.
The Spanish L2/FL (30 ECTS) provides advanced instruction in linguistic aspects pertaining to teaching Spanish at different levels (phonetics, grammar and lexicon), communication skills (oral comprehension and expression, and written comprehension and expression), specific methods and types of activities for teaching/learning Spanish at different skill levels, integrating Spanish literature and culture into teaching Spanish L2/FL, and understanding the sociocultural context of the language, as well as specific lines and methods of research in these areas.
The English L2/FL (30 ECTS) provides advanced instruction in linguistic aspects pertaining to teaching English at different levels and in different skills, including specific methods and types of activities for teaching/learning English at different levels (phonetics, grammar and lexicon), communication skills (oral comprehension and expression, and written comprehension and expression), integrating English literature and culture into teaching English L2/FL, and understanding the sociocultural context of the language, as well as specific lines and methods of research in these areas.
Work Experience Module (3 ECTS): Work experience in a teaching environment, with the possibility of placement in a foreign university belonging to the European Higher Education Area. Work experience takes place in the second term, and agreements have been signed with various foreign universities for this purpose. However, not all students may be able to undertake their work experience abroad, due to family commitments or other reasons; consequently, the Master’s course also offers placement experiences within the university itself, as well as in other education centres in Alicante. During work experience, students are required to undertake activities such as producing an analysis of the institutional framework and the curriculum project, class observation (methods used, materials and activities, programming, etc.), as well as planning and carrying out teaching activities, under the supervision of a tutor. In addition to promoting mobility within the European Higher Education Area, the work experience module also enables students to come into contact with those involved in the teaching-learning process and their social and cultural surroundings, acquire first-hand experience in teaching Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages in another country in the European Higher Education Area, assess the relevance and applicability of some of the concepts, theories, strategies and tools learned, and define their Master’s Final Project, since the practice of teaching raises questions that can lead to particular lines of research, as indicated in other sections. This module also meets the recommendations of the CEF with regard to promoting international co-operation between institutions involved in developing teaching and evaluation methods in the field of modern language learning, and in promoting educational links and exchanges.

Upon completion of their work experience, students must write and submit a report on the activities carried out, their observations on methods and programmes used, etc., and the cultural experiences that most stood out for them.

All students are assigned two tutors: one from the University of Alicante, and one from the centre where the student has completed his or her work experience, who must submit a report on the student’s activities during that time.
Master’s Final Project Module (12 ECTS): In accordance with regulations, the Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish and English L2/FL includes a Final Project worth 12 ECTS credits (20% of the total course credits). This project involves designing and producing a preliminary piece of research on any aspect relating to the subjects taken during the course. The aim is for students to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge acquired on the Master’s course and to articulate their knowledge, arguments and conclusions clearly, thus demonstrating their ability to undertake further research. The project is supervised by teachers holding doctorates themselves and, in accordance with the regulations, is presented and defended publicly before a panel, once all other subjects have been successfully completed.

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Distinctive Features

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Resources and Facilities

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Further Education

After completing an official Master's degree, students can take a PhD degree or third-cycle university studies, related to the Master's degree they have completed or to related areas. A list with all PhD degrees offered by the University of Alicante at:

PhD DEGREES (Royal Decree 99-2011).

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Career Opportunities

Focus

Professional and research.

The Master’s degree constitutes a training period for the Doctorate in Spanish and English as Second/Foreign Languages. To this end, the course includes teaching on research methodology in the field of Applied Linguistics as it pertains to teaching second/foreign languages, on the theories that have shaped or continue to shape research in this field, and on the application of new technologies in this area. The course also covers the latest advances in linguistic levels and the different aspects of communicative competence in English and/or Spanish, the specific problems posed by the peculiarities of each language, the use of literature and culture in developing linguistic competency in Spanish and/or in English, and specific lines and methods of research in these subjects.

Students that complete the 60 credits of the Master’s course will therefore be equipped to produce a doctoral thesis on one of the following lines of research:

Spanish L2/FL
English L2/FL
Spanish/English L2/FL
Theoretical perspectives in teaching and acquiring second/foreign languages (with emphasis on Spanish and/or English).

The Master’s course also prepares students for professional practice in teaching Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages, as well as in other fields, such as the design of materials for teaching Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages.

Degree course specialisation profile

Introduction to research into Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages.

Master’s degree profession profiles

Professions for which the degree qualifies its holder.

In accordance with the academic and research profile cited above, the Master’s Degree course equips students to conduct research in the field of Applied Linguistics as it pertains to teaching second/foreign languages, in this case Spanish and/or English.
Whilst the above is the main objective of the course, the teaching provided on the latest advances in linguistic models and methods, and on specific aspects of Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages, etc., prepares students for professional practice in teaching Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages, as well as in other fields, such as designing materials for teaching Spanish and/or English as second/foreign languages.

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Scholarships and Funding

Information on existing scholarships and grants to study university degrees is available here:

Scholarships and Funding. University of Alicante.

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University Life

Further information on our campus and the activities and resources available, organised by or related to the UA:

University life in the University of Alicante.

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