Duration & Credit Requirement

Programme Aims

The Doctor of Applied Language Sciences (DALS) programme aims to help nurture and develop a critical mass of future leaders in language-related professions. The students will be informed of the developments in language sciences and develop an advanced understanding of the inextricable link between theory and practice. They will be able to integrate linguistic knowledge and research skills with reflective practice in coping with the demands and development of their careers as language professionals in an age of globalization and digitalization.

Programme Characteristics

The DALS curriculum provides four strands or areas of enquiry for the students to choose from and within which to develop their specialism(s):

1. Second Language Education

2. Intercultural and Professional Communication

3. Translating and Interpreting

4. Language and Information Technology

Significant features of the programme are:

1) Interdisciplinary, cross-linguistic and/or cross-cultural perspectives of epistemology

2) Integration of international perspective and local context

3) Interaction and dialogues between academics and practitioners

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of their studies, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an advanced understanding of current approaches and theories that underpin the study of language;

2. develop a sophisticated understanding of issues in intercultural communication and relate this understanding to their professional practice and/or chosen area of study;

3. critically evaluate the literature and current trends in their chosen area of study, primarily second language education, intercultural and professional communication, translating and interpreting, or language and information technology;

4. adopt appropriate research design and method(s) to obtain and analyze primary data from language and profession-related areas;

5. use appropriate information technology tools for evidence-based investigation of aspects of language and professional communication;

6. express complex ideas clearly, accurately and in compliance with the conventions governing idea presentation in the academic and professional genres.

Programme Structure

Students are required to complete 48 credits for graduation, of which 24 credits are assigned to coursework and 24 credits to thesis preparation and writing.

Coursework

Compulsory Subjects

· Intercultural Communication (3 credits)

· Research Methods in Applied Language Sciences I (3 credits)

· Trends in Applied Language Sciences (3 credits)

Compulsory Subjects with Options (Choose 3 out of the 6 below)

· Computational Linguistics (3 credits)

· Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics (3 credits)

· Language in Society (3 credits)

· Linguistic Theories (3 credits)

· New Media (3 credits)

· Research Methods in Applied Language Sciences II (3 credits)

Elective Subjects (Students can choose two of the following subjects in consultation with their potential supervisors.)

Strand 1: Second Language Education

· Perspectives in Second Language Education (3 credits)

· Psycholinguistics and Language Acquisition (3 credits)

· Curriculum and Assessment (3 credits)

Strand 2: Intercultural and Professional Communication

· Glocalisation and Media Communication (3 credits)

· Professional and Organizational Communication (3 credits)

Strand 3: Translating and Interpreting

·Theories of Translation (3 credits)

Entrance Requirements

In addition to meeting the academic entrance requirements, applicants are required to have substantial and relevant work experience, i.e.,

A Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field PLUS 5 years of post-undergraduate work

OR

A Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field PLUS 2 years of post-Master's work experience

The English Language Requirements for those who do not have a degree from a recognised university at which the language of instruction is English are:

- A score of 6.0 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or

- At least 550 or above in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for the paper-based test, at least 213 in the computer-based test, or at least 79 in the internet-based test.

Alternatively, consideration will be given to acceptable scores in other internationally-recognised public examinations.

Individual cases will be considered on their own merits. Applicants may be required to attend interviews and/or tests to demonstrate they possess the required level of language proficiency needed for carrying out research in their area of enquiry.

Other Information

Limited scholarships are available for outstanding candidates. More information on the programme can be found on our website www.polyu.edu.hk/FH/DALS/.

Enquiries

For further programme information, please contact the Faculty Office:

Email: fh.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk

Tel no.: 3400 8212

Fax no.: 2363 8955

For information on academic matters, please contact:

Dr. Doreen Wu

Tel: (852) 2766 7441

Email: ctdwu@inet.polyu.edu.hk

Programme Name

Applied Language Sciences

Required Credits

48 (24 credits for coursework and 24 credits for thesis)

Tuition Fee

HK$6,000 per credit

Initial Registration Credits

3