Second Language Writing at ASU
Arizona State University provides various opportunities for specializing in second language writing, an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that draws from and contributes to various fields, including applied linguistics, composition studies, linguistics, literacy studies, foreign language teaching, rhetoric, and TESOL. Graduate students can specialize in second language writing in several programs, including:
- Ph.D. Program in Rhetoric, Composition and Linguistics
- Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Applied Linguistics
- Master's Program in Teaching Englislh to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)
Faculty Expertise. Faculty members in the English Department who have actively been publishing in the field of second language writing include Paul Kei Matsuda and Mark A. James. In addition, there are many faculty members--both within the English Department and across the university--who provide relevant theoretical and methodological perspectives, such as technology and language instruction, content-based language teaching, curriculum design, discourse analysis, English for academic purposes, language assessment, language policy, literacy studies, multilingual education, pragramtics, situated learning, second language acquisition and world Englishes.
Coursework. Two graduate-level courses on second language writing--a 500-level course focusing on instruction and a 600-level course focusing on research--are offered in alternating years, usually in the Fall semester. In addition, students can work closely with faculty members in developing their research and publication projects focusing on second language writing through independent studies and research credits as well as Applied Project (MTESOL) and dissertation (Ph.D.).
A Community of L2 Writing Specialists. Outside the classroom, you can join the community of faculty and students who share an interest in second language writing by participating in monthly reading group meetings and other social events. You will find various opportunity to learn professional practices in the field by working with faculty members on various research and publication projects. You will also have opportunities to contribute to the organization of the Symposium on Second Language Writing, an annual international gathering of second language writing teachers and researchers. (For information about Paul's approach to mentoring, please read "Mentoring as a Long-Term Relationship: Situated Learning in a Doctoral Program.")
Which Program is Right for You? If you have a bachelor's degree in a related field, you can apply to any of the three programs mentioned above. If you already have a master's degree in a related field but not TESOL, you can either start with a second master's degree in TESOL or apply to one or both of the Ph.D. programs.
If you are interested in specializing in second language writing at ASU, please feel free to contact Paul Kei Matsuda at (Please read the guidelines for submitting queries before sending your email query.)
If you have general questions about admissions procedure, graduate programs, possible funding sources and other general questions about ASU, please use the contact information provided at the program website.
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