The M.Phil. in Applied English Linguistics offers training in applied linguistics research. The required course in theoretical linguistics includes a survey of phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic analyses, as well as historical linguistics with specific reference to English. The required courses in applied linguistics cover the major interdisciplinary branches of language studies that address practical language-related problems: psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and second language learning/acquisition. Students are also required to take a course in research methods in which they develop their research proposal. In addition, the programme provides electives on current applied linguistics in such areas as curriculum design and materials preparation, discourse and pragmatics, second language pedagogy, evaluation and testing, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), second language classroom research, intercultural communication, and second language writing. Students are expected to seek an understanding of language?related problems in their research, which should lead to original contributions to the field of applied linguistics. This programme is intended for those who have a good undergraduate degree in a language-related field and have a strong interest in applied linguistics research. M.Phil. students with an outstanding performance may, upon completion of their M.Phil. course work, be recommended for advancement to the Ph.D. in Applied English Linguistics programme, subject to the approval of the Graduate Panel and the Graduate School.