The Applied Linguistics Unit at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok is a division of the Department of Language Studies, School of Languages, Civilization and Philosophy (SLCP). Our unit was established in 2005 (formerly at the Faculty of Communication and Modern Languages) with the aim of providing a stimulating, friendly, and supportive learning environment for the students and staff. Its focus is on the interdisciplinary nature and problem-solving of the development and understanding of language learning and usage and its application in business and various contexts.

The postgraduate programs in Applied Linguistics are designed to prepare students to teach and conduct research in the field of Applied Linguistics by utilizing the discipline’s knowledge fields. Due to the complexity of these activities, and the multidisciplinary nature of language practice, the programs incorporate an interface of theoretical, practical, and experiential knowledge and abilities. Students pursuing a postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics have a variety of career options as language practitioners, including conducting research, collaborating with community-based organizations, or preparing for teaching assignments and training in a variety of settings, including public or private institutions locally and internationally. Additionally, students may pursue doctoral degrees in fields such as Applied Linguistics and Literacy Studies. Admission to the program does not require prospective candidates to have prior teaching experience.

Our exceptional unit is passionate about teaching and guiding students. Presently it consists of fifteen academic staff who are also research active. They are internationally experienced academicians renowned for their interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research that spans a range of languages and contexts. Their expertise in subject areas and enthusiasm for research and teaching contribute to this being a dynamic and supportive environment in which to study and develop transferable skills for future career. Among the areas of specialisation are as follows:

• Applied Linguistics
• Corpus Linguistics
• Discourse Analysis
• Discourse-based grammar
• English Language Studies
• English for Academic and Professional Purposes
• Forensic Linguistics
• Intercultural Communication
• Instructed Second Language Acquisition
• Language Acquisition (Including First Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, Foreign Language Learning)
• Language Assessment
• Language and Business
• Language and Discourse
• Language, Identity and Culture
• Language and Law
• Language Learning and Teaching
• Language Literacy
• Language and the New Media
• Language Skills (Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening, Grammar and Vocabulary)
• Lifelong Education and Training, Online Learning, Open Distance Learning/Open Learning
• Pragmatics
• Second Language Acquisition
• Sociolinguistics
• Phonetics and Phonology
• Pragmatics
• Psycholinguistics, and
• Teaching English through Literature.

The unit currently offers two graduate degrees:

• PhD (Applied Linguistics) (PhD in Applied Linguistics)
• Master in Applied Linguistics (Master in Applied Linguistics)

The unit also offers the following undergraduate degree program:

• Bachelor of Applied Linguistics and Business Administration (BALBA) with Honours (Bachelor of Applied Linguistics and Business Administration With Honours )