The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) is offering a program leading to the Master of Arts (MA) in Bilingualism Studies. This program is intended to offer an advanced education in several areas of applied linguistics, including bi- and multilingualism, methodological and technological innovations in adult second language instruction, assessment of adult second language competence, as well as language policy and planning.
The program is offered in English and French. Students are required to take one of their two compulsory courses in English and the other in French. The electives can be taken in either language.
In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to produce their work, their research paper, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English. The program is offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis. Three options are available for the program, the MA with thesis, the MA with research paper, and the MA with courses.
The institute, in partnership with Université Lyon 2, also offers a dual degree combining the Master of Arts (M.A) in Bilingualism Studies with a Master 2 Sciences du langage - Français langue étrangère.
The dual degree option, which leads to a dual degree with the Université Lyon 2, combines studies in Sciences du langage - Français langue étrangère with the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Bilingualism Studies. Students enrolled in this option spend the winter term in the Université Lyon 2, France where they take the mandatory courses of the Master 2 program in Sciences du langage, and during the spring term they do a 65-hour unpaid teaching-research internship at the Centre des langues de l’Université Lyon 2.
The dual degree option is offered on a full-time basis, and the courses for the Master 2 at the Université Lyon 2 are taught in French.
The program is governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.
For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.
To be admitted to the MA program in Bilingualism Studies, candidates must have one (1) of the following:
- An honours bachelor's degree or equivalent in Second Language Teaching / Didactique des langues secondes, in Applied Linguistics or in a related discipline.
- A three-year bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics or a related discipline in addition to a university-level, university-administered advanced certificate in TESOL (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), representing a minimum of 30 units.
The minimum admission average is 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines.
Once admitted to the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Bilingualism Studies, students can apply for the dual degree of Master of Bilingualism Studies (University of Ottawa) and Master 2 Language Studies - French as a Foreign Language (Université Lyon 2 ), by contacting OLBI’s Director of Graduate Studies. They should also send an email confirming their interest in this option to: artsgrad@uOttawa.ca.
Language Requirements
All applicants must be able to understand, speak and write either English or French proficiently. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable tests is indicated in the specific requirements of the program.
Additional Coursework
The Admissions Committee may, depending on the students’ academic background, require them to complete one or two additional courses beyond the basic MA degree requirements.
MA with Thesis
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2023-2024 calendars for the previous requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses: | ||
| BIL 5101/5501 | Issues in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| BIL 5102/5502 | Research Methodology in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| 9 elective course units in bilingualism studies (BIL) at the graduate level | 9 Units | |
| Thesis Proposal: | ||
| BIL 7990 | Thesis Proposal | |
| Thesis: | ||
| THM 7999 | Master's Thesis | |
Note(s)
- 1
Note that one compulsory course must be completed in English and the other in French.
Candidates must begin the process of selecting a thesis topic and supervisor during their first term in the program. The choice of thesis topic and supervisor must be registered officially no later than the end of the second term.
Thesis Proposal
The thesis proposal is prepared under the direction of the thesis supervisor and must be defended orally. The proposal must normally be successfully completed by the end of the third term. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted and defended the following term at the latest. A second failure leads to withdrawal from the program. The proposal must be successfully completed before submitting it to the Research Ethics Board (if required) and before undertaking any independent data collection.
MA with Research Paper
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2022-2023 calendars for the previous requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses: | ||
| BIL 5101/5501 | Issues in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| BIL 5102/5502 | Research Methodology in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| 12 elective course units in bilingualism studies (BIL) at the graduate level 2 | 12 Units | |
| Research Paper: | ||
| MRP 6999 | Major Research Paper | |
Note(s)
- 1
Note that one compulsory course must be completed in English and the other in French.
- 2
Two electives (6 units) may, with prior approval of the program director, be selected from graduate courses offered by other departments.
M.A. with Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses: | ||
| BIL 5101/5501 | Issues in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| BIL 5102/5502 | Research Methodology in Bilingualism Studies 1 | 3 Units |
| BIL 5001 | Practicum 2 | 3 Units |
| 12 elective units of courses in Bilingualism Studies at the graduate level (BIL) 3 | 12 Units | |
| 3 elective units of out of program/interdisciplinary course 4 | 3 Units | |
Note(s)
- 1
One compulsory course must be completed in English and the other in French.
- 2
This course is bilingual.
- 3
One elective course (3 units) may, with prior approval of the program director, be selected from graduate courses offered by other departments.
- 4
This elective course (3 units) must mandatorily be selected from graduate courses offered by other department, with prior approval of the program director.
Dual Degree Master in Bilingualism Studies (University of Ottawa) and Master 2 Sciences du langage – Français langue étrangère (Université Lyon 2)
Students enrolled in the dual degree option will pursue the following course sequence ;
- Fall term: Affiliation university
- Winter and Spring Term: Host university
- Thesis proposal and thesis writing: Affiliation university
MA with Thesis
Affiliation university: University of Ottawa
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term 1 | ||
| BIL 5101 | Issues in Bilingualism Studies | 3 Units |
| 3 elective course units in bilingualism studies (BIL) at the graduate level | 3 Units | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| 4 cours obligatoires, selon l’offre annuelle, pour un total de 10 ECTS minimum | ||
| Méthodologie de recherche – 21 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Usage des outils numériques – 17,5 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Littératies et alphabétisation – 10,5 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Littérature en classe de FLE ou un séminaire au choix en Sciences du langage – 10,5 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| Stage non rémunéré de 65h enseignement-recherche au centre de langues de Lyon 2 (observation, préparation de matériel, prise en main de groupes, évaluation, animation, recueil de données, etc.). Ce stage peut commencer au trimestre d’hiver – 10 ECTS | ||
| Thesis proposal | ||
| BIL 7990 | Thesis Proposal | |
| Thesis | ||
| THM 7999 | Master's Thesis | |
MA with Research Paper
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2022-2023 calendars for the previous requirements.
Affiliation university: University of Ottawa
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term 1 | ||
| BIL 5101 | Issues in Bilingualism Studies | 3 Units |
| 6 elective course units in bilingualism studies (BIL) at the graduate level | 6 Units | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| 4 cours obligatoires, selon l’offre annuelle, pour un total de 10 ECTS minimum | ||
| Méthodologie de recherche – 21 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Usage des outils numériques – 17,5 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Littératies et alphabétisation – 10,5 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Littérature en classe de FLE ou un séminaire au choix en Sciences du langage – 10,5 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| Stage non rémunéré de 65h enseignement-recherche au centre de langues de l’Université Lyon 2 (observation, préparation de matériel, prise en main de groupes, évaluation, animation, recueil de données, etc.). Ce stage peut commencer au trimestre d’hiver – 10 ECTS | ||
| Research Paper | ||
| MRP 6999 | Major Research Paper | |
Affiliation university: Université Lyon 2
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term at Université Lyon 2 | ||
| Curricula et ingénierie - 17,5 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Évaluation et certification -21 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Grammaire et enseignement du FLE - 21 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Conception de parcours en ligne et Pratiques pédagogiquesen ligne - 38,5 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Français sur objectifs spécifiques 21 h (2 ECTS) | ||
| Élaboration de matériel pédagogiques - 21 h (3 ECTS) | ||
| Winter Term at University of Ottawa | ||
| BIL 5102 | Research Methodology in Bilingualism Studies | 3 Units |
| 6 elective course units in bilingualism studies (BIL) at the graduate level | 6 Units | |
| Spring Term at University of Ottawa | ||
| BIL 5001 | Practicum 1 | 3 Units |
| Mémoire de recherche (25 ECTS) | ||
Note(s)
- 1
Stage non rémunéré de 65h enseignement recherche à l’Institut des langues officielles et du bilinguisme (observation, préparation dematériel, prise en main de groupes, évaluation, animation, recueilde données, etc.). Ce stage peut commencer à la session d’hiver (3 crédits)
Duration of the Program
Full-time students are expected to fulfill all requirements of the thesis option within two years and of the research paper option within sixteen months. The maximum time permitted is four years from the date of initial enrollment in the program.
Research at the University of Ottawa
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:
- Creating a sustainable environment
- Advancing just societies
- Shaping the digital world
- Enabling lifelong health and wellness
From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.
Research at the Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state of the art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.
Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Arts
- Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française,
- Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies,
- Institute for Science, Society and Policy,
- Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
- Morisset Library.
For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb.
IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.
BIL 5001 Expérience pratique / Practicum (3 crédits / 3 units)
Mise en application pratique des principes théoriques et méthodologiques des études du bilinguisme dans un contexte professionnel. Expérience orientée vers l’enseignement et l’évaluation, la politique et l’aménagement linguistique et/ou la recherche. Noté: S (Satisfaisant) ou NS (Non-satisfaisant). / Application of theoretical and methodological principles of Bilingualism Studies within a professional setting. Experience geared towards teaching and assessment, language policy & planning, and/or research. Grade: S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not Satisfactory).
Volet / Course Component: Stage / Work Term
BIL 5101 Issues in Bilingualism Studies (3 units)
Theories of language and language learning. Social factors, processes, conditions, and learner factors in second language learning. Bilingualism, multilingualism, and cross-cultural communication. Political, social, and cultural factors in planning and implementing language policy. Language planning and policy evaluation. Research applications in these areas.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5102 Research Methodology in Bilingualism Studies (3 units)
Approaches to the design of studies, data collection instruments and procedures and analysis of data in second language learning and use. The role of statistics. Experimental and quasi-experimental methods. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5103 Assessment of Second Language Competence (3 units)
Theoretical issues related to the assessment of second language skills. Descriptive frameworks and standards for testing receptive and productive language skills. Assessing knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Construction of language tests. Development of rating scales. Review and critique of commercial language tests.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5104 Trends and Issues in Research on Technology-Assisted Learning (3 units)
Critical analysis of trends and issues in research on the design, integration, use and evaluation of multimedia and information and communication technologies in adult second language learning. Overview of innovative research and development methods, and tools and unique techniques used in Computer-assisted language learning (CALL).
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5105 Electronic Corpora in Second Language Learning (3 units)
The use of electronic corpora in second language learning. Corpus linguistics. Techniques and tools (taggers, concordancers, etc.) enabling the gathering, annotation and analysis of electronic corpora in second language acquisition research. Computer-aided analysis of language learners written and oral production errors. Impact of learner corpora on the design of language learning resources. Use of online French, English and bilingual corpus resources for language learning.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5106 Adult Second/Foreign Language Skills Development (3 units)
Critical examination of the theoretical principles underlying learning of the major language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and component skills (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation). Survey of research and practice related to learning language skills.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5107 Language Planning and Policy in Canada (3 units)
History and current concerns of official bilingualism in Canada. Multilingualism within an official bilingualism framework. Marginalisation, linguicism, and social class. Federal-provincial relationships and language issues. Language and social development.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5108 The Politics of Language, Power and Identity: Canada and the World (3 units)
Exploration of the politics of language, language policy, planning and practice of global languages in a second, minority or foreign language teaching contexts. Critical evaluation of social control of language use and through language. Macro (national) to micro (classroom) contexts of teaching. Reproduction, resistance and transformation of sociopolitical and linguistic ideologies and practices.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5109 Bilingualism in the workplace (3 units)
Issues of bilingualism in the workplace in Canada and beyond, from an interdisciplinary perspective. Analysis of language policies and uses in the workplace; their sociological and pragmatic impacts, as well as their social, economic, political, and linguistic contexts.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5120 Special Topics in Bilingualism Studies (3 units)
In-depth study of a selected topic in bilingualism studies.
Course Component: Seminar
BIL 5501 Questions en études du bilinguisme (3 crédits)
Théorie du langage et de l'apprentissage des langues. Facteurs sociaux, processus, environnement et caractéristiques individuelles en apprentissage des langues secondes. Bilinguisme, plurilinguisme et communication interculturelle. Facteurs politiques, sociaux et culturels en planification et politique linguistiques. Évaluation de la planification et des politiques linguistiques. Mobilisation des résultats de recherche dans ces domaines.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5502 Méthodologies de recherche en études du bilinguisme (3 crédits)
Approches méthodologiques à la planification d'études pour les études sur l'apprentissage et l'usage des langues secondes. Application des méthodes statistiques. Approches expérimentales et quasi-expérimentales. Méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5503 Évaluation de la compétence en langue seconde (3 crédits)
Questions théoriques se rapportant à l'évaluation des habiletés en langue seconde. Cadres descriptifs et standards d'évaluation des habiletés langagières réceptives et productive. Évaluation de la connaissance lexicale et grammaticale. Construction de tests de langue. Développement d'échelles de mesure. Revue et critique des tests commerciaux.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5504 Tendances et enjeux de la recherche en apprentissage des langues assisté par ordinateur (3 crédits)
Analyse critique des tendances et enjeux de la recherche portant sur la conception, l'intégration, l'utilisation et l'évaluation du multimédia et des technologies de l'information et de la communication en apprentissage des langues assisté par ordinateur (ALAO). Vue d'ensemble des méthodes innovantes de recherche et développement sur les outils ainsi que techniques utilisées en ALAO.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5505 Corpus électroniques en apprentissage des langues secondes (3 crédits)
Utilisation de corpus électroniques en apprentissage des langues secondes. Linguistique de corpus. Techniques et outils (étiqueteurs, concordanciers, etc.) permettant la collecte, l'annotation et l'analyse de corpus électroniques pour la recherche en acquisition de la langue seconde. Analyse assistée par ordinateur d'erreurs dans les corpus écrits et oraux d'apprenants de langue. Impact des corpus d'apprenants sur la conception de ressources pour l'apprentissage des langues. Utilisation de ressources en ligne: corpus français, anglais et bilingues, pour l'apprentissage des langues.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5506 Développement des compétences en langue seconde étrangère chez les adultes (3 crédits)
Exploration critique des principes théoriques sous-jacents à l'apprentissage des compétences langagières (écouter, lire, parler, écrire) et linguistiques (grammaire, vocabulaire et prononciation). Examen des recherches et des pratiques liées au développement des compétences en langue seconde.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5507 Planification et politique linguistiques au Canada (3 crédits)
Historique du bilinguisme officiel au Canada et questions de l'heure. Plurilinguisme individuel et sociétal dans le cadre d'un bilinguisme officiel. Marginalisation, minorisation, glottophagie et classes sociales. Relations fédérales-provinciales et les questions linguistiques. Développement sociétal et langues.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5508 Langue, pouvoir et politiques identitaires: Le Canada et le monde (3 crédits)
Exploration des politiques liées à la langue, politique linguistique, planification et pratique des langues mondiales en contextes d'enseignement de langue seconde, minoritaire ou étrangère. Évaluation critique du contrôle social de l'usage de la langue et par la langue. Contextes macro (national) à micro (la salle de classe) de l'enseignement. Reproduction, résistance et transformation de diverses idéologies et identités sociopolitiques et linguistiques.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5509 Le bilinguisme en milieu de travail (3 crédits)
Étude interdisciplinaire d’enjeux de bilinguisme en milieu de travail, en contexte canadien et à l’international. Analyse des politiques et des pratiques linguistiques en milieu de travail, de leurs effets sociologiques et pragmatiques, ainsi que des contextes sociaux, économiques, politiques et linguistiques dans lesquels elles s’inscrivent.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5520 Thèmes choisis en études du bilinguisme (3 crédits)
Étude approfondie d'un thème choisi en études du bilinguisme.
Volet : Séminaire
BIL 5920 Thèmes choisis en études du bilinguisme / Special Topics In Bilingualism Studies (3 crédits / 3 units)
Étude approfondie d'un thème choisi en études du bilinguisme. / In-depth study of a selected topic in bilingualism studies.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
BIL 7990 Projet de thèse / Thesis Proposal
Projet individuel. Examen critique approfondi de documents dont la liste est établie conjointement par l'étudiant et le directeur ou la directrice de thèse. Rédaction d'un projet de thèse soumis à l'évaluation de deux autres membres du corps professoral. Noté S (satisfaisant) ou NS (non satisfaisant). / Individual Project. Critical review of a set of readings selected jointly by student and advisor. Drafting of a thesis proposal. Submission of the thesis proposal for evaluation by two other professors. Graded S (Satisfactory)/ NS (Not Satisfactory).
Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research
Préalables : BIL 5501 et BIL 5502. / Prerequisites: BIL 5101 and BIL 5102.
BIL 7998 Mémoire / Research Paper (6 crédits / 6 units)
Mémoire d'une longueur de 12,500 mots (sans compter la bibliographie) préparé sous la direction d'un ou deux membres du corps professoral choisis en accord avec la personne responsable des études supérieures. Le mémoire est évalué par le ou les personnes qui l'ont dirigé et un autre membre du corps professoral. Noté S (satisfaisant) / NS (non satisfaisant). / Research paper (about 12,500 words, excluding the bibliography) prepared under the direction of one or two professors chosen in consultation with the director of graduate studies. The paper is evaluated by the (co-)advisor(s) and another professor. Graded S (Satisfactory)/NS (Not satisfactory).
Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research
Préalables : BIL 5501, BIL 55 02 et 12 crédits de cours au choix / Prerequisites: BIL 5101, BIL 5102 and 12 elective course units.