Purdue University College of Liberal Arts

Information for

Department of English

English as a Second Language

Graduate Courses

The ESL program offers the following courses on a regular basis.  Clicking on the course will direct you to a typical course syllabi.  For an ESL reading list, click here. For a list of ESL Research tools, click here.

English 506: Introduction to English and General Linguistics
General study of language and linguistic theory with emphasis on English. Problems and methods in phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Current techniques of linguistic analysis.

English 516: Teaching ESL: Theoretical Foundations
Survey of theories of learning and teaching English as a second/foreign/
international language. Focus is on current theories and their implications for practice.

English 518: Teaching ESL: Principles and Practices
Study of issues and principles in ESL program development. Emphasis is on practical application of theory in a variety of English learning and teaching contexts in the United States and abroad.

English 565: Sociolinguistics
An introduction to language in its social context, focusing on uses and users of language. Topics include: social class, ethnic group, gender, language attitudes, bilingualism, language contact, and dialects.

English 618: Research Design in Language and Linguistics
An introductory survey of the research methods and designs associated with language-related questions.

English 630: Seminar in Second Language Writing
An overview and examination of major issues in the theory, research, and practice of writing in a second language.

English 631: Seminar in World Englishes
A seminar addressing the global impact of World Englishes as a linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pedagogical phenomenon. Readings, discussions, and projects examine second, foreign, and international contexts of English and theoretical and practical issues associated with its spread as a world language.

English 674: Seminar in Language Testing
An examination of language testing and evaluation with an emphasis on ESL/EFL/FLL contexts. Seminar topics will include classical test theory, validity, reliability, standardized exams, norm- and criterion-referenced tests, test bias, alternative assessment, and computer-based testing.