About This Course
Please note that this is a Welsh language course.
The number of bilingual and multilingual communities and workplaces is growing, and language planning is an area of increasing importance. Consequently, there is a greater demand for individuals who have the necessary knowledge and skills to formulate effective strategies and systems to promote linguistic equality. As linguistic considerations become a priority for many fields - development, planning, education, health, IT, marketing – there is a requirement for staff across a wide range of areas to develop an understanding and skills in the field of language planning. Furthermore, the publication of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure (2011) has changed the legal framework regarding the use of the Welsh language and therefore means an even greater demand for a bilingual, versatile workforce.
The MA in Language Policy and Planning explores, in an innovative and comprehensive manner, a field that is becoming increasingly important in Wales and beyond. The programme benefits from the expertise of a number of Bangor University schools in the fields of Social Sciences, Linguistics, Law, Business, Welsh, and Health Sciences that will give students an understanding of the theoretical questions regarding Language Planning, as well as the vitally important applied questions.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
The course aims to address the needs of individuals, communities, and organisations to gain a more sophisticated understanding of language planning, including theoretical information. The programme is offered as an MA (180 credits), a postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) and as a postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) with the possibility of exiting following completion of any level. The programme is designed at all levels (Masters, Diploma and Certificate), to offer students the necessary knowledge to enable them to implement successful systems of language planning in the workplace, the community, the education system and within the family. At Masters and Diploma levels, students will also be expected to develop a sound understanding of research methods. The Master's programme, through the dissertation, offers students the opportunity to further explore a specific aspect of language planning, and is a step towards studies at doctoral level if students so wish. The combination of modules from Schools across the University takes full advantage of Bangor's ability to explore language planning and related issues from both theoretical and applied perspectives.
Core Modules:
- The Research Process* (40 credits) or Research Methods in Education (30 credits) * and Quantitative Methods (10 credits)
- Language Planning (20 credits)
- Dissertation Module (60 credits)
Optional Modules:
- Aspects of Bilingualism (20 credits)
- Work Based Learning* (20 credits)
- History of the Welsh Language (20 credits)
- Linguistic Rights (20 credits)
- Diversity and Human Rights (20 credits) *
- Public Sector Management* (20 credits)
- Law & Devolution in Wales & Europe (20 credits)*
- Current Issues in Bilingualism* (20 credits)
* bilingual module
Funding
The School offers various bursaries each year to students towards the tuition fees of the Language Policy and Planning MA. In addition, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offers various bursaries to students studying full time. Students are required to follow the course through the medium of Welsh, as far as that is possible. The bursaries are awarded as a discount on course fees.
Entry Requirements
Normally, a 2.1 or above in a first degree in a relevant area and/or relevant professional experience with evidence of recent study. Applicants will be interviewed.
Careers
This course will prepare you for a range of roles – in the public sector, the private sector and the third sector – including as a language officer, policy development officer, manager, or in marketing. The course will also prepare you for study at doctoral level in the broad field of language planning. This course is also highly suitable for practitioners and professionals who already work in the field of language planning but would like to apply a theoretical framework and international context to their daily work.
