Welcome

Nau mai, haere mai/welcome to the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Te Kura Tātari Reo/ the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, also known as LALS.

We specialise in teaching and research in linguistics, applied linguistics, language sciences, academic writing, New Zealand Sign Language, and language learning and teaching. You can find out more about our areas of research here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/research. And more about what we teach here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/study.

Our teaching programmes include:

• Undergraduate courses in
  • Language Sciences
  • New Zealand Sign Language
  • Academic and Professional writing
• Postgraduate courses (including MA by thesis) in
• Linguistics
• TESOL
• Applied Linguistics
• Pre-degree English for Academic Purposes courses  to develop English language and academic skills in preparation for university studies
• These courses are part of the English Language Institute, which for over 50 years has provided programmes in English Proficiency for second language speakers of English and tailored English language programmes.
• We also have a thriving and highly competitive PhD programme. Applications are handled through the Faculty of Graduate Research).
  
  

  Research carried out by our staff (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/about/staff) and students (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/lals/research/current-research-students) research contributes to our strong international profile. We are home to a number of research projects and units, such as the Deaf Studies Research Unit. Our seminar series regularly features our own staff and students, as well as a host of visiting scholars.
  
  Associate Professor Sasha Calhoun
  Head of School

  Note from 22 June to 31 December 2026 Assoc Prof Anna Siyanova is the Acting Head of School.