Second Language Studies, PhD

The PhD program in second language studies at UH Mānoa was established in 1988. The graduate faculty of the PhD program comprises all members of the SLS faculty, as well as faculty members of the Departments of East Asian Languages and Literatures, Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas, and Linguistics.

The courses in the program are organized into four areas of specialization:

1. Second language analysis—Structural analysis of learners’ language development; comparison of native and nonnative languages; second language varieties; differences arising from social and geographical contexts; phonological, grammatical, and discoursal properties; typological factors; putative universals.
2. Second language learning—Studies of the biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors in the language learning process; the role of universals; interlanguage; processes of comprehension and production.
3. Second language use—Studies of social functions of second and foreign languages; pidgins, creoles, and dialect variation; roles of social and geographical contexts; pragmatics; discourse analysis; cross-cultural and interethnic communication; sociopolitical factors; language policy and planning.
4. Second language pedagogy—Research into learners’ language needs (including immigrant needs); formulation of needs-based curriculum objectives and syllabi; taskbased and content-based language teaching; computer-aided instruction; program administration; evaluation and language assessment; critical pedagogy.

The basic requirement for admission into the PhD program is the completion of an MA in second language studies, applied linguistics, or second or foreign language education. Applicants with graduate degrees in related disciplines such as anthropology, education, modern languages, linguistics, and psychology are also welcome.

Entry into the PhD program is possible in both the fall and spring semesters. The GRE is required for all PhD program applicants. Most applicants whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or the IELTS. Additionally, those required to take the TOEFL or IELTS have the following minimum scores to work as a teaching graduate assistant (GA): 100 TOEFL iBT, with subtest scores 25 listening and 25 speaking; 7.0 IELTS.

Prospective PhD students are automatically considered for a graduate assistantship at the time of application. Each year, four years of guaranteed funding are offered to the four most qualified applicants to the PhD in SLS program, pending availability of funds.

Application materials are required for both the Graduate Division and the Department of Second Language Studies. For details about how to apply, go to: www.hawaii.edu/sls/graduate/phd/phd-admissions/.