This MSc course is the first master’s programme in Wales to offer courses in typical and atypical language development in both monolingual and bilingual (simultaneous and sequential) populations. It consists of a taught component including a combination of core and optional modules, and a research dissertation of 20,000 words.

The course aims to develop your understanding of monolingual and bilingual development and acquisition in typically-developing children, and adults, as well as children with language impairments. The purpose of the MSc programme is to provide you with the necessary theoretical and methodological skills to undertake research in this field.

What will you study on this course?

Compulsory Modules:

Language Acquisition: The main objective of this module is to introduce you to central questions in language acquisition research (e.g. How do we learn the meaning of words? What are the advantages of bringing up a child bilingually? Are children better language learners than adults?). The focus will be on first language (L1) acquisition.

Research Methods in Linguistics: This module aims at equipping you with the necessary foundations and tools to design and carry out experimental research within linguistics, as well as preparing for your dissertation.

Optional Modules vary from year to year, and can include:

• L2 Speech Learning
• Bilingual and Acquisition Issues
• Second Language Acquisition
• Psycholinguistics
• Phonology in Bilingual Acquisition
• Language Contact and Bilinguals
• Language Disorders and Bilinguals
• Welsh Linguistics
• EFL Theory
• SLA and Language Teaching

Non native English speakers must take zero-credit courses with ELCOS to help with their English, unless exempted by their tutor.

Successful completion of the programme will provide you with the requisite skills, understanding, and knowledge to work effectively and increase your employability in organisations working with bilingual populations and second language learners with and without language impairment, such as speech and language therapists and teachers.

Bilingualism is the study of the way speakers of two (or more) languages acquire and use their languages and how these languages are represented in the mind. Our courses provide the necessary theoretical, analytical and methodological tools and skills to undertake advanced research in a specialist field.