English Language and Literature Online Masters program at Northwestern University

Linguistics 489: Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching.

Advance Spring Quarter registration for our open enrollment group classes (LING 380-20: Speech Acts the SPEAK Test, LING 380-21: Improv for English Communication, and LING 381-20: Academic Writing for Graduate Students) will begin on February 20, 2023, for current PhD MFA students only.

Pre-registration for our open enrollment group classes (LING 380-20: Speech Acts the SPEAK Test, LING 380-21: Improv for English Communication, and LING 381-20: Academic Writing for Graduate Students) will open to TGS Masters students on March 13, 2023, and to Postdoctoral Fellows on March 27, 2023.

Northwestern Affiliates are defined as any current member of the Northwestern University community who is not a PhD, MFA, TGS Masters student, or Postdoctoral Fellow.

You will only be able to access the registration system through the link when registration is open for your academic status.

Registration for tutoring spots in LING 482 are provided according to the following prioritized registration groups: 1) PhD MFA students, 2) Postdocs, and 3) TGS Masters students.

Our Group Classes (LING 380-20: Speech Acts the SPEAK Test, LING 380-21: Improv for English Communication, and LING 381-20: Academic Writing for Graduate Students) will be held in-person on the Evanston campus during Spring Quarter 2023.

Supported Online Speech Language Training (LING 483) will be held remotely during Spring Quarter 2023.

Additional ELP Services The default location for Language Table events is online via Zoom during Spring Quarter 2023.

Additional ELP Services The default location for Instruction and Practice Small Groups is online via Zoom during Spring Quarter 2023.

To communicate effectively, we need to understand subtle differences in language use in different social contexts. We will use the format of the SPEAK® Test to study language functions and pragmatics of English: description, narration, persuasion, presentation, reporting information, explanation, and . These language functions are essential for academic presentations, so consider this course if you wish to improve your presentation skills. Students preparing for the May SPEAK® Test will also benefit. While there will be some attention given to pronunciation, the main focus will be on the pragmatics aspects of spoken English and progress towards overall communicative competence.

This interactive course uses the principles of improvisational theater comedy to improve students' communication in English-speaking contexts. This is not a performance class, and no experience is required. Students will learn the basic principles of improv through group games, discussion, and personal reflection, building new skills week by week. Over time, students will develop the ability to make quick decisions and respond spontaneously, based on careful attention to the environment and their classmates. They will develop confidence in their ability to communicate and collaborate.

An important skill for a successful academic career is the ability to write effectively in a variety of genres. This course helps nonnative speakers of English develop their writing skills by focusing on the mechanics of English sentences and paragraphs, as well as the local and global discourse structure of written texts. I encourage a workshop atmosphere where student work is reviewed and discussed by the class. I also provide direct feedback on regular writing assignments. The assignments encourage you to focus on your skills as you write your research and personal interests. Active participation and evidence of progress in written English are the criteria to achieve a satisfactory grade in the course.