English Linguistics Division

Master's Programs

English Linguistics Course

Developing the skills needed to address social issues through language

Students in the English Linguistics Course will learn about the theories and analytical methods of linguistics and conduct research in English linguistics to acquire in-depth knowledge on the topics covered in the undergraduate curriculum on the usage and structure of English. The goal of the course is to create human resources who can address the needs of the modern society in the midst of globalization and localization from a linguistic standpoint, thereby applying English proficiency, specialized knowledge, research skills, educational grounding, internationality, and practical skills developed here.

The English Linguistics Course is structured as follows. The initial two-year master’s program enables students to acquire specialized knowledge and skills essential for conducting research in English linguistics, as well as for conducting basic research in the field to obtain a master’s degree in linguistics. The subsequent three-year doctoral program further develops individual research, with the goal of obtaining a doctoral degree in linguistics.

There are various career options after completing the course. One option after progressing to the doctoral program and earning the Ph.D is to work as an academician.

The English Linguistics Course presents the basic principles of languages, particularly English, in Syntax and Semantics, two specialized subjects in the master’s program. Students will learn about theories and analytical methods related to various characteristics of English in three other subjects: Research in Phonetics/Phonology, Research in English Linguistic History, and Special Research in English Linguistics. Furthermore, in the seminar and master’s thesis classes, two specialized seminar subjects in the master’s program, students will develop the basic qualities essential for a researcher, including logical and critical thinking. Additionally, there are opportunities to study alongside students in the English Education Course, who are conducting research on English as a second language. Here, students will learn about the theories and analytical methods related to the process of acquiring English as a second language, as well as TESOL methods (in Communicative Grammar, Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory, Research on English Teachers and Learners, etc.).

English Education Course

Nurturing English educators with a solid command of English

In today’s global society, there is great demand to nurture individuals having a solid command of the English language. In the near future, the ability to use English as a global language to express feelings and ideas and negotiate with others will be increasingly in demand. The English Education Course offers a wide range of subjects with the aim of nurturing educators who can meet these requirements.

These subjects include Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory, Communicative Grammar, Research in Measurement/Evaluation of English Learning Achievement, Research on English Teachers and Learners, and Research in English Communication, among others. Thus, English education encompasses a wide range of subject areas. The course will enable students to make new discoveries, such as the importance of understanding educators’ and learners’ perspectives and how they affect teaching and learning, and the importance of teaching not only rules but also how languages are used in practice when it comes to grammar instruction. In addition to English education, students may study subjects related to English linguistics, such as Syntax, Semantics, Research in English Linguistic History, and Research in Phonetics/Phonology, and subjects in the areas of literature and culture, such as Research in British and American Literature and Culture. Students in the course will be allowed to choose subjects according to their preferred field of specialization, especially among subjects such as those mentioned above.

Students will be expected to complete a master’s thesis or a special research project at the end of the course, for which small-group seminar lectures will provide detailed guidance over a two-year period to deepen understanding of specialized subjects and enable thesis research to be organized. It is hoped that the experience of this process will instill confidence in students pursuing the master’s course as they progress toward their career as educators. In addition, those who wish to continue their research at a higher level should also consider continuing the doctoral program after completion of the course.

Class Subjects, etc.

Doctoral Program

Nurturing highly specialized professionals with research and teaching skills in English linguistics and English pedagogy

The objective of the English linguistics doctoral program is to prepare academicians and educators with advanced English skills and the ability to conduct independent research in the fields of English linguistics or English pedagogy, as well as the educational skills required to develop human resources who can contribute to today’s global society.
To realize this objective, the curriculum is composed of three types of subjects: specialized subjects, specialized seminar subjects, and elective subjects. The specialized subjects are Special Research in English Linguistics and Special Research in English Pedagogy, for majors in each field. Special comprehensive seminars are available as specialized seminar subjects. As students progress through the first, second, and third years of study in accordance with their chosen area of study in English linguistics or English pedagogy, they work toward completing the doctoral thesis with guidance from a research supervisor. Elective subjects (Higher Education Theory and Academic Career Development) are provided to help students acquire knowledge of higher education along with scholarly competence required as an academician.
The university welcomes students whose future goal is to conduct research independently in English linguistics or English pedagogy at a university or higher education institution, while nurturing human resources for the global era through English language teaching and education in English linguistics or English pedagogy.

Class Subjects, etc.

Obtainable Qualifications

Teaching License Acquisition

The master’s program in English linguistics includes a teacher’s license acquisition curriculum.

1. Obtainable Licenses and Required Class Subjects

List of Subjects

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 subjects offered at undergraduate level and fulfil the requirements for obtaining a Type 1 license.

Message from the Faculty

Professor Nobuo Okada　 English Linguistics Course

Arming students with advanced English skills and strong English teaching expertise through a thorough program of coursework

Through the study of recent research on English linguistics, British and American literature/culture, and English pedagogy, the English Linguistics Course aims to nurture educators with the ability to plan and teach lessons, which will equip junior and senior high school students with English abilities needed to thrive in the global era, as well as those capable of playing leading roles in junior and senior high school English education in the future.

Therefore, the emphasis is on coursework, including specialized subjects in the fields of English linguistics (syntax/morphology, semantics/pragmatics), British and American literature/culture, and English pedagogy (communicative grammar, second-language acquisition, four-skills teaching methods, teaching materials, measurement and evaluation, action research, lesson design, and teacher/learner factors). Seminar classes are also conducted in small groups as specialized comprehensive seminar subjects. Students can study specialized subjects systematically and develop advanced English skills and strong English teaching expertise through detailed, individualized guidance during comprehensive seminars. To complete the course, students must complete either a master’s thesis or a special research project. Whichever option they choose, they will be able to write this piece with confidence, having developed a solid foundation through specialized subjects and specialized seminar subjects.