PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

As a response to the changing needs in the field of English language education, the Department of Language Education launched Ph.D. in English Language Education program in 2020. This program made a departure by putting less emphasis on coursework with increased emphasis on substantial research-related requirements leading to a thesis on the substantive areas of specialization. The dissertation entails an independent, original, and closely defined research project carried out under the mentoring of an assigned supervisor. By its nature, the purpose of this 40-50 credit program is to put emphasis on capacity building of potential research of Nepali and international scholars whose research is likely to become a basis for improving practices in their professions. Given this perspective, the program can accommodate qualified post-graduate students in English from diverse fields of study: English language education/teaching, English literature, English linguistics, etc. We envisage that the program framework will enable research students to be highly creative and innovative in their research productivity, thereby serving as a platform for them to explore newer avenues in English language education. Research students are expected to create their own learning spaces, thereby enabling themselves as prominent researchers in their respective fields.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND ATTRIBUTES

By completing PhD in English Language Education program, research students are expected to demonstrate

• an ability to identify research issue(s) and to formulate viable research questions;
• capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a distinct research program;
• ability to define, derive and apply appropriate quality standards for their research;
• a sound understanding of the major areas, focus and contours of local, regional and international research in their respective research area;
• capacity for critical assessment of relevant scholarly literature in their field of study;
• well-developed flexible problem-solving abilities (skills, knowledge and attitudes) appropriate to the area of study;
• ability to analyse and interpret research data as per the ethos of paradigm(s), methodologies and methods employed in their research;
• the capacity to share effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
• sound understanding of scholarly conventions in their fields of study;
• sound understanding of the need to respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and the ethics of research and scholarship;
• capacity to collaborate with other researchers and organizations; and
• ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems, software and online databases where appropriate to the student's field of study.

 POSSIBLE COURSES

In case of candidates requiring specific course works, they will be offered one or more out of the following list as recommended by the supervisor(s)

EDUC 600 Educational Dimensions

ELED 620 Quantitative Research in English Language Education

ELED 630 Qualitative Research in English Language Education

ELED 640 Mixed Methods Research in English Language Education

EDUC 650 Transformative Education Research and Practice

EDEL 609 Language Teacher Education and Development

EDEL 619 Contemporary Thoughts in English Education

EDEL 629 Issues in English Language Education

EDEL 639 Trends in Applied Linguistics

EDUC 642Academic Writing and Research

EDUC 652 Statistical Methods in Research

EDUC 662 World Englishes

ELED 631 English and the Postcolonial Discourses

ELED 632 English in Nepal

DURATION 

Generally, full-time Ph.D. students are expected to complete their research in 3 years. Part-time students can submit their research work after 4 years.  The maximum duration for the completion of the degree requirements for full-time students is 6 years, and 8 years for part-time students.  

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLMENT:  

• For English Language Education, minimum of 17 years of schooling with master in English language Education/teaching, English Literature, and English Linguistics
• Passing the admission test

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of the application blank,
• Copies of credentials,
• A copy of the curriculum vitae, and
• Reference letters
• A fully developed research proposal of around 5000 words (written in English)
• A 5000-word research paper (published or unpublished) on any topic (written in English)
• If the concerned department is satisfied, it recommends the applicants to the Research Committee.
• The Research Committee evaluates the proposal and makes the final decision.
• The Research Committee considers the following aspects while making its evaluation:
• Past academic records
• Research proposal
• Writing ability [written test]
• References
• Relevant work experience (if any)
• Interview
• Presentation based on the research proposal
• 5000-word paper on any subject (published or not published)

PATHWAY 

Generally, the following pathway is suggested for the successful completion of the program in the case of fulltime students:

• Demonstration of knowledge and skills necessary to conceptualize a research project by completing the research methodology related Courses (semester one)
• Demonstration of the ability to conceive and plan a closely defined research program by presenting the research proposal to the research committee (between the end of semester one and middle of semester two)
• Demonstration of adequate knowledge of research methodologies, and relevant literature by satisfactorily completing the qualifying assessment by producing two papers on methodology and thematic areas respectively (within semester two)
• Research field work (after completion of two qualifying papers)
• Publication of related requirements and participation in the conferences (during the time of study)
• Submission of the written thesis
• External reviews of the thesis
• Viva voce

EVALUATION OF THE THESIS 

The modus operandi of the thesis evaluation will be followed as specified in Research Guidelines for PhD developed by/for Kathmandu University