Other Programs...Maybe

While UMass seemed to have the best program online in linguistics, here's the list of the others that I passed over (the University of Indian doesn't have an entire degree online, just some courses):

http://www.gradschools.com/search-programs/online-programs/linguistics/masters

Master's in Applied Linguistics Online from UMass!

http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/Online-Degree-Master-Applied-Linguistics.cfm


English as a Second Language, Foreign Language Pedagogy(Concentrations)
The MA Program in Applied Linguistics at UMass Boston is comprehensive in its scope and designed to introduce students to the theoretical, empirical and practical dimensions of applied linguistics. The Program emphasizes both theory and practice. These areas of inquiry are reflected in faculty and student research and the intellectual diversity characterizing the content of the various courses that students will be taking.
Curriculum:

Its interdisciplinary core curriculum includes courses in:

• basic theoretical linguistics, applied linguistics
• psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics
• discourse analysis and ethnographic research methods
• ESL/EFL methodologies
• cross cultural studies

The program is thus designed to enable students to understand the diversity of issues inherent in the study of language so they are well prepared to teach and do research in applied linguistics. Students pursuing the MA in Applied Linguistics have a wide range of opportunities, including conducting research, working with community-based organizations, or preparing to teach in various contexts, such as public schools, K-12, adult education, and language schools outside the United States. Many of our students go on to pursue doctoral work in such fields as linguistics, education, and literacy studies. Prospective students need not have teaching experience to be considered for acceptance into the program.
The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study over a two-year period.
Program Highlights:

• First - Rate Faculty
• Flexibility and Convenience
• Teaching English as a Second Language Concentration 

Financial Aid:

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
2. Next, download your required Financial Aid Forms here.
3. Check your financial aid status using WISER.
4. For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu

Contact:
For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.

Notes From 1st Class with Larissa

Here was the outline of what we went over on our first class on Saturday, June 4th, 2011.

Top of the Line Material

This is an expensive program, but if you really want to see and master all the science of how the mouth moves, there is probably nothing better:

http://www.primalpictures.com/speech_language_pathology.aspx

On the other hand, you could start with this for FREE, and it is pretty awesome too, especially for the comparison's between English and Spanish:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/

Thoth

Reducing a Native Spanish Speaker's Accent in American English

My first thought is that, in addition striving for a scientific mastery of language sounds, you should probably try to find some formal program or course to work through.  Adult learners learn most things through independent study.  Your consultant will help connect you to resources, but finding a way to advance through your own independent routine and work is the key to mastery.  Something computer or video driven would probably be good to help pull you along and infuse more of a feeling of personal relevance into your work.  Here is one option, and it even has some free videos:

http://www.speakingyourbest.com/freevideolessons.html

http://www.speakingyourbest.com/americanenglishtips/spanishaccentreduction.html

Good programs these days usually have a lot of free material to get you started available on YouTube because they are confident that people will use enough of their material and find it helpful that that will then buy more advanced levels later.  Use that principal to find things to try out and then ONLY BUY what is usual personally to you.  (For example, other people who want to learn Arabic should use http://www.arabicpod101.com/ after they have the basics down.)

ALSO, in your scientific study of the language, you will need to master much of the international phonetic alphabet.  If you are really going to become a true master of the accent in a new language as an adult, you have to master the science of language: linguistics.  I will post more on that later.

Thoth