Master of Applied Linguistics – MAppLing

The Master of Applied Linguistics provides professionals in all language-related areas of expertise (including language teaching and TESOL) with a combination of practical and research skills which is increasingly important in both domestic and international settings.

Get real-world skills

You’ll use theories, methods and problem-based approaches that address real-life language issues in our globalised, and digitally mediated world.

Draw on Massey’s research strengths

Massey’s research strengths include:

• heritage language learning
• mother tongue maintenance
• online second-language communities
• distance/online language learning
• sociocultural adjustment of international students and their teachers to their presence in New Zealand universities
• language learning and emotion
• bi/multilingualism
• oral proficiency
• teaching and assessment
• language education policy.

Research opportunities

In the Master of Applied Linguistics you’ll complete a research report (60 credits) or thesis (120 credits). Recent areas of student research include:

• investigating needs of non-income-earning students in community English classes
• the development of teacher identity among student teachers in Thailand
• navigating cultural conflict and dissonance in the immigrant ESL classroom
• the role of motivational beliefs in self-regulated learning for Kanji acquisition
• vocational tertiary students’ imagined experiences of learning English with native speakers in an Indonesian rural setting
• perceptions of Bhutanese students, parents and teachers of their learning progress in a New Zealand secondary school
• a case study of heritage language transmission in a Catalan-speaking migrant family to New Zealand .

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Applied Linguistics you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a relevant bachelor's degree with at least a B grade average across the 200-300 level courses, or
• have been awarded or qualified for a postgraduate diploma in second language teaching or a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics, or equivalent, with at least a B+ grade average for entry to the Research Pathway, or at least a B grade average for entry to the Coursework Pathway.

In addition to these requirements, entry to the Master of Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), you will:

• have completed relevant teaching and related experience approved by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences as appropriate for entry.

If you have a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning.

You will need to provide:

• copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
• a copy of your CV (Curriculum Vitae) containing details of teaching and related work experience.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

• Massey University English language requirements

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.

• Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
• Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the Get advice button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.