The course is a principled approach to the study of the English language and how it works in contexts.  This is designed to equip the graduate students with a comprehensive knowledge of language and linguistics. It focuses on the English sound system, the external structure of words, the grammatical structure of sentences as well as the formation of meanings and the way these are communicated through words and larger grammatical units. Further, it explores how these meanings are affected by context of use and context of situation. It also includes the exploration of implications to English language pedagogy and research. The students are expected to critique existing articles in applied linguistics and English language studeis and to write a review of related literature as a stand-alone paper demonstrating critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and ethics in research.

The course is a principled approach to language testing designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge on language assessment as one area of instruction. It focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of language assessment and their application to language teaching and learning.  It also includes the exploration of methods in designing language tests in the different language areas such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing including grammar with the application of ICT, and the discussion of issues in language testing and studies conducted that pertain to assessment of language skills.  It is task-oriented, and it allows the students to construct, present and critique formative and summative language tests applicable to the English subjects they are teaching.