TOP Graduate School Foreign Studies Research Division Graduate School Foreign Studies Research Division English Linguistics Major

Graduate School Foreign Studies Research Division English Linguistics Major

Master’s Program

English Linguistics and Education

Aiming to nurture individuals who can take on societal issues through language

In the English Linguistics major, students study linguistic theory and analytical methods to expand on the understanding of English usage and structure they have accumulated in their undergraduate years and conduct research in English linguistics and English education. In the future, they are encouraged to aim toward becoming individuals who can meet the needs of today’s society, equipped with expertise in linguistics, applied linguistics, and education, as well as the research and teaching skills, broad cultural literacy, international mindset, and practical competence they have gained here.

Specifically, students acquire the linguistic and educational knowledge and skills essential for conducting research in English linguistics and English education, engage in fundamental research, and work toward obtaining a master’s degree (in English linguistics or English education). Those who wish to pursue their research further can continue into the doctoral program, refining their research and working toward a Ph.D. in English linguistics or English education.

In the specialized classes of the master’s program, students learn the basic principles of languages, such as English, through classes such as Syntax and Semantics. Additionally, to pursue research in English linguistics, students study linguistic theory and analytical methods related to various features of English through classes like Phonetics/Phonology, Research in English Linguistic History, Research in British and American Literature/Culture, and Special Research in English Linguistics. To pursue research in English education, students will address practical issues in English education through classes such as Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory, Communicative Grammar, and Research on English Teachers and Learners. Moreover, in Integrated Seminar, students study research methods and academic writing in preparation for their master’s thesis.

Class Subjects, etc.

Category Subject Year Credits
Specialized Classes Syntax A 1 2
Syntax B 1 2
Semantics A 1 2
Semantics B 1 2
Research in English Linguistic History 1 2
Research in Phonetics/Phonology 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics A 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics B 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics C 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics D 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics E 1 2
Research in British and American Literature/Culture 1 4
Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory 1 2
Communicative Grammar 1 2
Research in Measurement/Evaluation of English Learning Achievement 1 2
Research on English Teachers and Learners 1 2
Research in English Communication A 1 2
Research in English Communication B 1 2
Special Research in English Education A 1 2
Special Research in English Education B 1 2
Special Research in English Education C 1 2
Special Research in English Education D 1 2
Special Research in English Education E 1 2
Specialized Seminar Classes Integrated Seminar I A 1 2
Integrated Seminar I B 1 2
Integrated Seminar II A 1 2
Integrated Seminar II B 1 2
  Master's Thesis 1 4
Special Research Project 1 4

Doctoral Program

Nurturing highly skilled professionals capable of conducting research and education in English linguistics and English pedagogy

The objective of the English Linguistics doctoral program is to prepare university educators and other individuals who possess advanced English proficiency and the ability to conduct independent research in English linguistics or English education, as well as the educational skills to nurture individuals who can thrive in today’s global society.
To realize this objective, the curriculum in this major offers three types of classes: specialized classes, specialized seminar classes, and optional classes. The specialized classes are Special Research in English Linguistics and Special Research in English Pedagogy, for students majoring in each field. Special integrated seminars are available as specialized seminar classes. Students proceed through their first, second, and third years of study in accordance with their specialization in either English linguistics or English education, receiving guidance from their research supervisors and others and working toward the completion of their doctoral thesis. The optional classes include Higher Education Theory and Academic Career Development, which are designed to provide knowledge to students on higher education and the scholarly competence expected of university faculty.
We welcome students who aspire to conduct independent research in English linguistics or English education at a university or other higher education institution in the future and who seek to nurture individuals for our global era through English language teaching and education in English linguistics and pedagogy.

Class Subjects, etc.

Category Subject Year Credits
Specialized Classes Special Research in English Linguistics I A 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics I B 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics II A 1 2
Special Research in English Linguistics II B 1 2
Special Research in English Pedagogy I A 1 2
Special Research in English Pedagogy I B 1 2
Special Research in English Pedagogy II A 1 2
Special Research in English Pedagogy II B 1 2
Specialized Seminar Classes Special Integrated Seminar I A 2 2
Special Integrated Seminar I B 2 2
Special Integrated Seminar II A 3 2
Special Integrated Seminar II B 3 2
Optional Classes Higher Education Theory 1 2
Academic Career Development 1 2

Obtainable Certifications

Obtaining a Teacher’s License

The master’s program in English Linguistics offers a curriculum for the obtaining of teacher’s licenses.

1. Obtainable License Types and Required Class Subjects

License Type
(Subject)		 Minimum number of credits required under the Educational Personnel Certification Law Classes related to school subjects/teaching profession Credits Required Elective Remarks
Advanced Junior High School Teacher’s License (English)

Advanced Senior High School Teacher’s License (English) 		24 SyntaxA 2   ◯ At least 4 credits from these subjects
SyntaxB 2   ◯
Semantics A 2   ◯
Semantics B 2   ◯
Research in British and American Literature/Culture 4   ◯
Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory 2 ◯    
Communicative Grammar 2 ◯    
Research in Measurement/Evaluation of English Learning Achievement 2 ◯    
Research on English Teachers and Learners 2 ◯    
Research in English Communication A 2 ◯    
Research in English Communication B 2 ◯    
Special Research in English Education A 2 ◯    
Special Research in English Education B 2 ◯    
Special Research in English Education C 2 ◯    
Special Research in English Education D 2 ◯    

2. Requirements for Obtaining Advanced Teacher’s Licenses

Students must have already acquired a Type 1 “Junior High School Teacher (English)” or “Senior High School Teacher (English)” license or fulfilled the requirements for doing so.
Students who have not fulfilled these requirements must first take the classes offered at an undergraduate level and fulfill the requirements for obtaining a Type 1 license.

Message from the Faculty

Professor Takeshi Omuro English Linguistics Major

Professor Takeshi Omuro English Linguistics Major

From English syntax and grammar to generative grammar theory

Language is a mirror reflecting the nature of the human mind. Language is composed of the combination of form (phonology and syntax) and meaning. I focus my research specifically on modern English, and through this research, I also seek to explore the nature of humanity. For this reason, I work within the framework of generative grammar theory, which presumes universal grammar as the innate and genetic basis of natural languages. Recently, I have been utilizing large-scale electronic corpora of modern English, focusing on basic forms and variants of English constructions, as well as studying complements and adjuncts, constructional idioms, mismatches between meaning and form, and dynamic patterns of expansion from the core to the periphery. My teaching philosophy emphasizes cultivating the ability to deeply understand the generative grammar approach, observe subtle linguistic phenomena using authentic language data (as a grammarian of English), describe them (as a descriptive grammarian), and explain them (as a generative grammarian).