Third-Year Thesis (?) on Linguistics and Applied Linguistics*1IntroductionnLearning by being taughtuListening memorizing reproducingnLearning by exploringuRaising questions trying to find answersSearch for questionsSupport your answers with evidenceu- Challenging your ability for critical thinking and independent research*2IntroductionWhat is linguistics? nThe study of languageuMeaningSemantics uWordingGrammar and lexicologyuSounding (signing)Phonology (phonemics)Graphology *3IntroductionWhat is applied linguistics?nThe use of linguistics in other fields, e.g., the study of language learning and language useuHow a child learns L1uHow a young adult learns L2English as L2; Chinese as L2uHow an L2 learner handles communication pressureuHow an L2 learner develops L2 writing skillsuWhat a teacher can do to help out the students *4IntroductionWhat is a thesis? nAn argument in which you put forth your opinion and support your opinion with evidence that comes from your researchnA report on the results of your research What is research?nThe core: raising and answering questions*5IntroductionWhat is primary research? nthe Research in which you gather evidence by collecting primary data, e.g., uinterviewing students uconducting a questionnaire surveyuadministering a testPrimary researchncollects data that have not been collected in the past; nproves a point that is debatable;ncan be replicated by another researcher.*6Introduction*7ExercisesIn the following, what is primary research? What is not?nReporting your classmates opinion on whether third-year students should have P.E. classnReporting on how you prove that English and Chinese differ in intonationnReporting your opinion on how English should be effectively taught in high schoolnReporting on your teachers opinions about the weaknesses of New Oriental School*8ExercisesInterview a classmate of yours, and write up a short report on what he or she thinks is the most effective way of improving his or her English?nPart One reports the setting of the interview, the background of your interviewee and the interview questions.nPart Two summarizes your interviewees opinion.nPart Three reports the details that support that opinion. Use summary, paraphrase and direct quotation.nPart Four discusses what the interview does not clarify and should be explored in the future.*9Methods to ConsiderYou may conductnTestsuoral or writtennSurveysuquestionnairenInterviewsustructuredunon-structurednObservations uparticipantunon-participantnA combination of the aboveuE.g. interviews following a test *10Ideas for ResearchTopic selectionnFollow your interest. Select a topic you truly fall in love with.nConsider the triage approach. Select a topic that is manageable uwith the current literatureuover a period of two semesters uwith accessible technology *11Ideas for ResearchFocusing on the nature of EnglishnThe use of communication or politeness strategies by a character in a novel, e.g., the use of deference strategies by Collins in Pride and Prejudice (how and why)nHow Chinese address forms are translated in literature, e.g., address forms in the English translation of A Dream of Red MansionsnSexism in the use of English, e.g., “chick,” “baby,” “pretty face,” “pretty legs”nDo men and women use English differently?*12Ideas for ResearchFocusing on the nature of EnglishnWhat words and grammatical patterns do English advertisements tend to use?uMore smiles per gallonuThe newest eye-deanRhetorical devices as used in newspaper headlines and leadsnRhetorical devices as used on webpagesnHow personal pronouns are used in advertisementsnHow questions are used advertisements *13Ideas for ResearchFocusing on the nature of EnglishnHow international students code-switch (use English with Chinese phrases) in their speech, e.g., “He nihaoed me, and I nihaoed him” nThe role of ambiguity and fuzziness in communication, e.g., “I will study with my friend in Beijing”nHow differently Chinese and American journalists cover the same event?*14Ideas for ResearchFocusing on L2 learningnDifficulties Chinese students encounter in learning English pronunciationnThe influence of a local dialect on English pronunciation, e.g., CantonesenHow international students learn tones in ChinesenThe effect of topic familiarity and syntactic complexity on EFL listening comprehension*15Ideas for ResearchFocusing on L2 learningnHow do students practice their oral English? Do they use English in group discussions?nDo English movies help with the learning of English? If so, in what way? nIs the English Corner is a good way of improving ones English?nHow English songs help students with their English learning?nThe influence of Chinese culture on learning Chinese as a foreign language*16Ideas for ResearchFocusing on L2 learningnIs there sexism in the teaching of English? E.g., textbooks, terms of professions (e.g., “governor”), comparison of English majors