MAAL7001 Applied corpus linguistics

MAAL7001 Applied corpus linguistics

COURSE TEACHER:
Dr. Lisa Cheung
Email: lisa@hku.hk  

Overview 

Corpus linguistics enables us to examine how language is used in real-world contexts by analysing large collections of authentic texts. By introducing the key principles, methods, and tools of corpus linguistics, this course helps students understand how corpus-based approaches can be applied to language analysis, teaching, and learning.

The course provides a practical introduction to constructing, annotating, and analysing corpora drawn from existing large-scale datasets or students’ own collections. Students will gain hands-on experience with corpus-building processes, annotation tools, and basic automated techniques for managing and analysing large amounts of language data. Through these activities, students will learn how corpus evidence can inform English language teaching, materials development, learner language analysis, and data-driven learning.

A key focus of the course is the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) with corpus linguistics. Students will explore how GenAI-supported tools and techniques can enhance corpus analysis, including automated annotation, pattern recognition, frequency analysis, concordancing, and the identification of language use across different contexts. The course will also examine how GenAI can support data-driven learning by helping teachers and learners discover authentic language patterns, collocations, grammatical structures, and discourse features more efficiently.

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate and apply corpus and GenAI-based approaches to English language education. They will develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills for using corpora and corpus tools to support language research, classroom teaching, and learner-centred exploration of authentic language use. 

Aims 

This course introduces students to a variety of applications of corpus linguistics, including phraseology, lexicogrammar, register, English for Specific Purpose, and curriculum design. 

Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of corpus linguistics;
• Understand and evaluate current trends in applied corpus research; 
• Develop the methodological capabilities to conduct small to large scale corpus research projects using existing and self-built corpora; and 
• Identify and test how and when language corpora can be used for pedagogical purposes. 

Assessment 

You have to submit a 2500-word written assignment which will be due on 24 May 2027.

Option 1:

An assignment on a topic negotiated with the course teacher which will be related to the planning for and the integration of corpus in a language teaching context.

Option 2:

Produce a small-scale research project to build, annotate and extract meaningful results from a self-built corpus. You can also choose to consult a publicly accessible corpus (e.g. BAWE). The assignment will be an analytical discussion of the corpus findings in relation to lexis, grammar, phraseology, or register/discourse.

GenAI Policy

(To be updated)

Key References  

Atkins, B.T.S., Clear, J., and Ostler, N. (1992). Corpus Design Criteria, Literary and Linguistic Computing. Oxford University Press.

Barnboork, G. (1996). Language and computers: A practical introduction to the  computer analysis of language. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Cheung, L. and Crosthwaite, P. (2025). “CorpusChat: integrating corpus linguistics and generative AI for academic writing development”, Computer Assisted Language Learning, 1-27.

Crosthwaite, P. and Cheung, L. (2019). Learning the Language of Dentistry: Disciplinary Corpora in the Teaching of English for Specific Academic Purposes. John Benjamins.

Crosthwaite, P., Cheung, L. and Jiang, K. (2017). “Expression of stance in learner and professional dentistry corpora”. English for Specific Purposes, 46, 107-123.

Hunston, S. (2022). Corpora in applied linguistics. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press.

Kennedy, G. (1998). Introduction to Corpus Linguistics. Longman.

Meyer, C. F. (2002). English Corpus Linguistics. Cambridge University Press.

Sinclair, J. (2004). How to use corpora in language teaching. John Benjamins.

Schedule (Semester 2)