Major Areas
The SLAT program is interdisciplinary, designed to provide rigorous, advanced training for researchers, teachers, and administrators concerned with second language teaching, learning, and acquisition. The program has four significant areas of research and specialization that draw on the strengths of its faculty across 19 department units on the University of Arizona campus. SLAT students must choose one of these areas of specialization as a major.
To view our faculty in each area of specialization, click on the Faculty page and filter by the area of specialization you want to look at.
- Cognitive dimensions of L2 learning: In this research area, students focus on the cognitive, linguistic, and social processes involved in second language learning and processing.
- Instructional Dimensions of L2 learning: In this research area, students focus on current theoretical approaches and applied approaches to second/foreign language teaching, learning, and language program administration.
- Linguistic Dimensions of L2 learning: In this research area, students focus on the formal analysis of linguistic and textual aspects of second language acquisition.
- Socio-cultural dimensions of L2 learning: In this research area, students focus on the analyses of discursive, sociolinguistic, sociopolitical, and sociocultural factors in the use and acquisition of a second language.
Minor Areas
SLAT doctoral students may select a minor in SLAT, choosing from one of the 4 areas of specialization or from one of the two additional minor areas below.
- Technology in Second Language Teaching: In this specialty, students focus on theoretical and practical applications of technology in second language pedagogy and acquisition.
- Language Program Administration: In this area of specialization, students focus on theoretical and practical aspects of administering a variety of programs dedicated to second language teaching and acquisition.