Francophile1

Hi all, I am seeking some advise regarding getting into a PhD program in Linguistics. I have an MA in Foreign Language and Lit and have been teaching for a number of years, however I have always been very interested in Linguistics and keep coming back to this option. Currently I am trying to decide what would be the best, plausible option for me as far as getting into a reputable program. I did some research on some highly regarded programs and saw that most students and Professors do have some kind of Linguistic background (before getting their PhD's). Some have a major, minor in it etc. I only had a minor in Undergrad (which was like 8 years ago). What would be the best path for me to get accepted? - MA Linguistics - Summer courses (to strengthen my app) - Apply straight to the Program My concern is that a.) I really don't have any writing samples in Linguistics (I mean maybe I could dig up, a paper that I did in undergrad for one of my classes, but not sure if that would be enough.) b.) I know I am interested in Syntax, based on the fact that I took several courses, as part of my minor but again I have not taken any courses recently and I do not have any papers that I wrote on this matter. Ultimately, I want to find the best option financially and time wise. I have already taken some time off from school and want to avoid wasting time. I really cannot just take courses as a non matriculated student and pay out of pocket. What would be your advise? I appreciate all responses. P.S I currently also enrolled in a TEFL course, as I am planning to teach English online as well. Stay safe.

Hello everyone, Could someone help me with some advice. I have decided that a General Linguistics PhD is what I want. I won't go into the many details why, but after much research, class observations etc...it is the route I want to go in. I need advice now as to how to proceed, because I want to apply to competitive programs, but am lacking an MA or any graduate courses in Linguistics. This is my brief education background: BA in a foreign language, minor in Linguistics MA in foreign Language 2nd MA in another foreign language (in progress) In order for me to be competitive, I know I probably need graduate Linguistics courses- right? What would you advise to do? I do not particularly want to be in a Terminal MA (for financial reasons). Maybe, it is possible to simply take a few courses at the Graduate level before applying to the PhD? Would this be looked at favorably, if I only take a few courses and don't actually get an MA in Linguistics before applying to the Phd? Thanks for all the input.

Thanks I will a bit later. Well for me I am a native speaker and a teacher of several languages- so that is not an issue. I do teach currently at the school level but am interested in linguistics that is why I'm exploring my options.

Just saw your post and gonna return the favor and reply. I went to Rutgers to a different department but I have had some communication with the Linguistic department as well, as I have reached out to them to observe several classes and find out more about their program. It is theoretical, so if that's what you are looking for- that's great! As far as classes: You will have to take classes that you are probably not interested in- at least for the 1st - 2 years. Any PhD program in the U.S will make you take at least some general coursework, because they want you to have a broad range of knowledge in the subject as a whole. You can probably research all of this on the Linguistics site at Rutgers, but you will be required to take your standard, Syntax, Semantics, Phonology etc.. courses. If you have an M.A they might let you transfer some credits, but probably not more than 12 or 15 credits max. As far as research and getting help from Professors: This is generally applied to all U.S programs. Faculty are there to help you but you have to seek out the help. They will not treat you as an undergrad. and follow up with you all the time. You have to do the work, to reach out to them etc. An MA/PhD in the U.S is about you being extremely independent and well organized and the faculty are there in the background to help you if you seek it. I would definitely compare it to a sink or swim approach. Not to scare you- but that is just how it is! Teaching: It is almost guaranteed that you will NOT teach the classes that you want. I would say whatever humanities PHD it is, the 1st year- you get to teach very elementary courses and then advance on. Seniority is also in place so Grad. students who are further in the program get better priority of interesting classes to teach. Hope this helps. P.S most of the above information is from my experience at Rutgers but NOT directly in the Linguistic department. As far as my experience with them, their advisor seems very open minded and helpful and their grad classes are small and diverse.

Thanks! I appreciate your detailed response. It definitely confirms many of my worries/concerns about the different types of paths. Yes, I noticed that in the US most programs in foreign language departments mostly are Literature focused- about 20% have a PhD in foreign language linguistics, and I do see limitations with that. I also noticed during my past MA that many Professors that are hired need to have a specialization in a century (so literature) rather than linguistics. Language itself is often taught by adjuncts or TA's (in big universities), so yeah I would be somewhat weary of specializing in a Foreign language Linguistics and then not being able to find a job. I already went through a Literature MA- which was really not my thing, and as I complete now a second MA in language Philology, I really want to make the best decision as far as what PhD to pursue. I still have some time, so gathering information- I appreciate your response! I saw that you were in Oxford. Is this correct? Let me know, because if so I would like to message you about a few England specific questions.

I have been interested for some time in possibly either getting a PhD in Foreign language linguistics (leaning towards Russian right now) or Linguistics (General). I received already 1 MA in a foreign language and am currently a teacher who will be completing a second MA (in Russian) focusing on Linguistics of that language. While I do this I would like to start researching further options down the line. My linguistic knowledge right now is limited- I have only a minor (undergraduate), so bear with me while I try to explain the answers I'm seeking. What I would like to find out, is a couple of nuances relating to the two (PhD-foreign language-Linguistics vs. Linguistics). From, the research that I have done, it seems like that the main differences in seeking a linguistic - foreign language degree vs. Linguistics (through Linguistic department) is that the latter is concerned with exploring Linguistics in a scientific way and is not language specific. It seems that most of the Faculty research in Linguistic departments is based on a topic ( semantics, syntax et...) and they may use different languages in their research but it is not about exploring a particular language. When it comes to linguistics in a foreign lang. department, whether it is Slavic, french, spanish..etc- it is about the language and exploring the linguistic aspects of that language. This is the area that I would like to clarify for myself. If I am more interested in exploring the syntax of 2 particular languages which program would be a better fit? I am very interested in Syntax, but I want to make sure that I get to explore the syntax of particular languages. Would that be easier to do in a foreign lang. department or if I find a Professor in Linguistics who specializes in this language, that might work too? Most PhD linguistic professors list their research as syntax in general, while when I look at language departments it's more language specific. I am also aware of the fact the getting a Linguistics degree is more of an open approach for job prospects, as I have talked to faculty indicating that and indeed sometimes Linguistic PhD's a re cross-listed in both departments while a PhD in a foreign language (linguistic emphasis) would almost always end up only in a foreign lang. department). What would you all advise job prospect wise? For the moment I am most interested in Syntax of Russian and Finno ugric languages (i.e Hungarian) Much appreciated

Yes I will attack a post, if I believe what they are saying does not apply to my question. Obviously in my post I referred to graduate essay writing skills not blogging. I even specifically mentioned PhD level graduate work, so I do not see how you or anyone else might think that what I was asking was to correct my grammar here. If you read my question carefully you will see that I asked about writing workshops, and of course I can go to a writing center just as anyone here posting a question can ask the same question from their advisors, school etc- but they choose to come here to get advice from fellow classmates.

I'm not going to warrant any further responses to this topic since I am quiet busy, but I do not find his/her comments to be helpful at all since I did not ask to correct my blogging grammar. I do not believe it was "sympathetically written", rather it is an arrogant attempt to show one's "intellectualism" or lack thereof.

Thanks for your reply. It seems the most helpful! Yes my main issue seems to be about not making strong enough arguments and every time I try to research how to do this, I think I did better yet the result is not excellent. The argument is not deep enough and although I present interesting ideas they are not developed enough for the PhD level. I need that push from ideas to strong arguments

Again an example of someone who does not even try to offer advice

This comment just makes me laugh as I was not writing this question to have someone correct my grammar. This is not a sample of my work. I don't know who you are or what kind of education you have but any normal person should have figured that much! I don't need anyone to tell me how to write emails or short paragraphs that ask for advice. If you cannot provide advice about my question, then just don't reply. Lol let me guess you will attempt to analyze these sentences as well. Guess what? Of course I do not edit my writing here!

So, I spent the better half of my MA program struggling with research papers, from the hardest professors I usually got B's. I asked for comments and tried my hardest to incorporate their ideas and words of advice, researched on my own how grad papers need to be written, but I still find myself getting B's in some of these classes. If I am ever going to go to a PhD program I need to master this skill but how? What would be your advice? I'm sure there are people here who have struggled with this. I just see such a real gap between undergrad and grad levels. My major was foreign languages and so significant time was devoted to the language and not paper writing per-se. Now there is this gap that I am trying to fill. Any help is appreciated. If you know of any workshops etc...I would also welcome that

I am curious how tough the summer middlebury graduate programs are...do they leave time to prepare for anything else? I have to prepare for a big exam during the summer and am worried about both commitments during the summer? But then, if I do not go there, I would still have to work almost full time, so I am trying to find out how doable attending this program is while preparing for another major exam...Any advice about this summer program is appreciated!

I will actually reply to your post as well because that is precisely what I am doing. It is feasible but not easy as the first 2 years you do have to commute 3-4 times a week because of classes and teaching duties. Although I am not a fan of NB, it is much easier to experience the whole student life if you like there- and cheaper! Message me if you have other questions