M.A.(German) for visual handicapped student?

Dear Forummembers

my daughter has finished her B.A. at a British University last October and now would like to continue with a M.A. by thesis or course work in German or Linguistics.

The University of South Africa was her first choice, but they require a B.A.(Hons) for admission.
(Charlotte's ordinary B.A. includes 360 credit points, including German up to level 3 and she has a teaching diploma).

Is anyone aware of a distance programme
- with no residency requirents
- taking no longer than 16 month
- completely accredited
- accepting visual handicapped students (90% blind)
- and not too expensive?

Many thanks,

Deirdre

 

Usually this is a good starting point:
http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/destedprog.html

Or for all Australian options try the goodguides

www.thegoodguides.com.au

Good luck

 

Hmmm

I wish your daughter a great deal of success in her studies. It's wonderful that she's done this well so far, especially considering her visual limitations.

If she is also trying to decide between two courses of study, German or linguistics, allow me to suggest a couple of things.

First, I have a graduate degree in German. I don't think it's advisable to try and pursue a graduate degree in a spoken language without living in a country where the language is spoken (I'm assuming she has not done so and was not brought up bilingual).

Immersion is really the only way to learn a language well. There are programs that provide an immersion experience without going to the country itself, but the best path is to go to a German-speaking country.

You learn so much just going to the grocery store, doing your banking, ordering coffee! You can't get that from audiotapes.

I'm sure there are schools abroad where they could be sensitive to her needs -- particularly institutions that provide a year or so abroad. I'm not sure that they would be inexpensive.

If it truly isn't an option to spend time in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, then my suggestion would be to focus on linguistics. BAin4weeks.com is a great place to check.

http://www.bain4weeks.com/mastermenu.html

- Vie

 

Dear Friedrich

thank you for the fabulous links- the USQ indeed offers linguistics at master level with a B.A. as entrance requirement and the tution looks reasonable, too. I will check next Monday on the availability for special-needs students.

Thank you again & ein frohes Neues Jahr!

Deirdre

 

Re: Hmmm

Dear Vie

thank you for reply and your explicit advise!

In fact, Charlotte struggles a bit with the decision and you put valuable input on the scale.
She grew up with Afrikaans, English and German, and should be able to get along with her Deutschkenntnisse except for the accent (well, but this is seen from her mother's eyes....)

In fact she would prefer linguistics, but feels that German could be easier integrated into her teaching career. On the other hand, choices are be limited and linguistics might enhance her life and she enjoys research.

Vielen Dank für die Link from Lawrie Miller, the reference to the Australian universities, esp USQ seem the most suitable options.

Happy New Year and success for your PHD!

Deirdre

 

A linguist at heart!

Oh, my, your daughter is quite lucky. She has options, and it sounds like she's going to have a wonderful time teaching. Which of course means that her enthusiasm will translate into students who love her classes.

I'd like to get a linguistics degree myself eventually, and can imagine nothing more delightful than teaching History of the English Language, or even some Old and Middle English! With her background in English, German, and Afrikaans, this should make courses on etymology even easier for her.

Once again, much success to both of you. And the best of everything in the new year!

- Vie

 

Deirdre,
yes, don't hesitate to - at best Your daughter herself - get in contact with Associate Professor Francis Mangubhai. At a student meeting I heard very good comments on the flexibility of the staff at the linguistics "faculty". They should figure something out for her - usually USQ cares about their distance education students very much.

Again, viel Glück