Graduate Program
This graduate school welcomes both domestic and international students
who are interested in language, linguistics, and language education.
Nurturing Specialists in Language
and Language Education
The question "What is language?" is one that leads us to examine what it means to be human. The graduate programs
explore the structures and
systems of language as well as issues of language communication and the learning and teaching of foreign or second
languages from theoretical and practical perspectives.
As the world becomes more globalized where the need to communicate across cultures and countries is increasing, it
is important and beneficial for individuals to master more than one language with cultural awareness and to become a
world citizen. The Graduate School of Language Sciences aims to foster language specialists capable of playing a
leading role in
English and Japanese language education in a variety of school and other professional settings, both in Japan and
abroad.
The program is especially suitable for students who wish to acquire specialized knowledge and teaching/research
skills based on insights gained from latest theory and research on language learning and teaching
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1 Master's Program (Japanese Linguistics)
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The Japanese Linguistics major offers a Japanese Language Education course designed to cultivate individuals with advanced expertise who can play active professional roles in fields related to Japanese language education, both in Japan and abroad.
* This program is conducted in Japanese and graduate-school-level Japanese proficiency is required.
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Developing Professionals in Japanese Language Education
The program develops professionals with advanced expertise and practical skills relevant to language education and other language-related fields. It prepares students with linguistic knowledge and technical skills that can be applied to various settings, including international contexts.
Integrating Theory and Practice
Through theory and research into the acquisition and use of Japanese—particularly as a second or foreign language—the program supports students in making connections between theory, research and practice and in developing creative and adaptable skills to address the varied needs of learners and educational settings in Japan and abroad.
Linguistically Grounded Analysis for Effective Teaching
The program trains students to develop the knowledge and ability to analyze the structures and functions of the Japanese language and to conduct contrastive analyses with other languages. It prepares students with linguistically sound knowledge of Japanese, enabling more effective and informed pedagogical practices.
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Yukie Horiba, Ph.D. Director of Japanese Language Major
Graduate School of Language Sciences
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A specialist in cognitive psychology and second language acquisition. Dr. Yukie Horiba's research investigates the cognitive processes of reading and writing, focusing on how language proficiency and task demands influence text comprehension and production.
Courses Taught Advanced seminar, M.A. research
project, Applied linguistics, Japanese language teaching, etc.
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Enoch Iwamoto, Ph.D. Graduate School of Language Sciences
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A theoretical linguist specializing in semantics and generative grammar. Dr. Enoch Iwamoto proposes "Event Projection Theory" to analyze a wide range of aspectual phenomena across languages, exploring how human conceptualization of events is structurally reflected in language.
Courses Taught Advanced seminar in linguistics, Japanese linguistics (semantics, lexicon, syntax), M.A. research project, etc.
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2 MA TESOL Program
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The MA TESOL Program aims to cultivate educators who can make principled and contextually appropriate decisions based on a solid understanding of current theories of foreign and second language learning and teaching.
* This program is conducted in English.
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This program supports both in-service and pre-service teachers in becoming reflective practitioners who can critically examine and systematically develop their classroom practices. Recognizing the diversity and complexity of today’s language learning environments, the program equips students with a broad repertoire of instructional approaches, strategies, and professional knowledge to address the varied needs of learners.
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Gordon Myskow, Ph.D. Director of M.A. TESOL Program
Graduate School of Language Sciences
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Gordon Myskow's research investigates evaluative language in historical discourse and school genres, focusing on appraisal theory. His interests include second language writing and the pedagogical application of linguistic analysis in textbooks.
Courses Taught Principles & Practices of the TESOL Classroom, Pedagogical English Grammar, and Introduction to the MA Research Project, etc.
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3 Doctoral Program (Language Science)
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Building on the academic foundations developed at the master’s level, the Doctoral Program in Language Science deepens students’ specialized expertise while fostering a broad, interdisciplinary perspective. The program aims to cultivate scholars and educators who can take leading roles internationally in linguistics and language education.
* This program is conducted in Japanese and graduate-school-level Japanese proficiency is required.
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Training Professionals for Leadership in Language Studies
Drawing on fields such as linguistics, English studies, Japanese linguistics, second/foreign language education, and language communication, the program supports advanced, independent research. Students are encouraged to position their work within a wider academic and social context, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the global scholarly community.
Developing Advanced Analytical and Creative Research Skills
Through theory-driven research design, high-quality data collection and analysis, and the exploration of emerging theories and applications, students develop strong analytical and creative research skills. The program also promotes interdisciplinary approaches, enabling students to extend their research beyond narrowly defined specializations and to pursue innovative
lines of inquiry.