The central theme in this module is the practice of social and behavioural research. Regularly, results of scientific research are presented in multi-language discussions. This course introduces students to the methods and techniques used in linguistics and trains them to use basic statistical analyses. The starting points of behavioural research will be taught on the basis of examples and cases and teaching practice will be based on do-it –your-self and self-experience.

This course presents Friesland as a laboratory for studying multilingualism in action. Students are offered first-hand knowledge of language use in Friesland, as well as lectures on a selection of topics particularly applicable to Frisian. Classes will consist of visits to Frisian cultural and government institutions as well as to institutions where interesting sociolinguistic situations can be observed. Experts from a number of different fields will introduce topics of theoretical relevance that students will get a chance to test empirically themselves

The central theme of this module is how multiple languages are acquired, how they develop and how they are represented in the brain. It looks at how the processing of the languages in a multilingual takes place at phonological, grammatical, lexical and pragmatic levels. Topics dealt with include early and late acquisition of additional languages, processes of production and perception, language attrition, cognitive consequences of multilingualism and the multilingual brain.

Joana Duarte PhD, specialised in multilingualism and educational linguistics, presents bi- and multilingual education as a laboratory for pupils, students and teachers in action. Students are offered first-hand knowledge of bi- and multilingual education at various levels and with respect to a range of target languages: dominant or majority languages, traditional and new foreign languages as well as regional & minority and immigrant languages. Classes will consist of lectures, group work, guest input and visits to schools in Fryslân as well as to guidance institutions supporting bi- and trilingual education. Experts will introduce education topics of theoretical relevance and with regard to their applicability in practice. Students are assessed by means of five weekly assignments and a final essay. This is a 5 ECTS course.

In this module the students will learn about the theoretical aspects of language testing and evaluation, such as validity and reliability, and basic statistic procedures for testing. The second important topic concerns the use and development of tests (standardized and non-standardized), the grades, the student’s portfolios, and other classrooms assessments pertaining to multi-language learning. The third topic, Dr. Hilde Hacquebord discusses,  concerns the development of language surveys in multilingual settings. Students are assessed on the basis of several papers, a portfolio, and an essay. This is a 10 ECTS course.

By means of a discourse and conceptual analysis of key texts on nationalism and minority thinking, the close relationship between language and political power is dealt with from a global, historical as well as anthropological point of view. In particular, the connections between language, state and nation(s) will be topics of discussion. Prof. Goffe Jensma will introduce the importance of language for the formation of a civic national or an ethnolinguistic minority identity as well as the role ideas on language can play to include or exclude population groups will also be discussed. Professor Jensma is specialised in social cultural history or minorities. For this course the students will be assessed on the basis of several papers, a portfolio, and an essay. This is a 10 ECTS course.

The student can do an internship at an institution that offers the possibility for the student to work with issues that are particularly prevalent in multilingual communities. The internship can be carried out in Leeuwarden, elsewhere in the Netherlands, or with an organisation abroad. The student carries out his or her own small research project, or actively participates in a larger project carried out by the local project group. Students doing an internship will work with a supervisor at the internship and a mentor at the university specialised in the subject.

In order to prove their expertise Students write a Master’s Thesis (of approximately 17,000 words, excluding bibliography and appendices). There will be several seminars to help the students to formulate a problem definition, choose suitable theoretical, and methodological framework for research. This task is supervised on an individual basis by a teacher specialised in the subject chosen by the student. The student will conduct research which they will present in writing. The students will be assessed on basis of their thesis and present their work to an audience. This is a 20 ECTS course.