Masters Degrees (Elt)

Take your career to the next level

Looking for an internationally-recognised professional qualification that can help take you to the next stage of your career? Or perhaps you want to deepen your understanding of the latest issues and practices in English language teaching, to help you deliver the best possible education to students of English language around the world?

With our flexible course structure, the research excellence you’d expect from one of the world’s top universities, and a close, supportive community around you, the MA English Language Teaching (ELT) at the University of Warwick is the course for you.

Professional development, whatever your experience

The students who join our course each year come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Whether you have a wealth of teaching experience as a head of department or curriculum developer, or you’re yet to complete your first year of teaching, our course will offer you research-led teaching to further your professional development.

If you have less than two years’ experience teaching English to speakers of other languages, our ELT (Studies and Methods) course will introduce you to a variety of academic disciplines relating to teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL/ELT). And at the same time, you’ll gain a solid professional foundation for developing your practical teaching skills.

Or if you’re a more experienced teacher, our diverse range of course streams will develop your in-depth understanding of the links between theory and practice in English language teaching, while allowing you to specialise in areas such as ICT, Young Learners and Teacher Education.

Find out more about which specialist pathway is right for you: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/study/ma/

Don’t just take it from us

Here’s what some of our former students have told us about their experience on the MA ELT at Warwick:

“Studying the MA ELT at Warwick has been quite an exciting experience. First, from among a wide range of courses, I think the program design allowed me to make a successful combination for my career. Besides my Testing and Assessment specialty, I chose a Teacher Development course for my elective, which will help me a lot because I will be involved in offering teacher training courses on testing when I go back to my country. Secondly, I really valued the team teaching professionally planned and led by a team of high-calibre professors. Last, but most interesting, is the qualitative research orientation I got here. Besides promoting my academic knowledge I feel that I have also developed my research skills. Now I’m confident I will be qualified for excellent career prospects.”

Yasir El Hag, MA English Language Teaching (Testing and Assessment programme)

“What I learned from the MA programme helps me a lot in various ways at work. I have become more proficient in terms of conducting research. I can use the knowledge I learned from the programme to help teachers adopt efficient teaching methods and questioning skills. Honestly speaking, without studying this programme, I wouldn't be this confident and comfortable at work.”

Kiki Sun, MA English Language Teaching (Studies and Methods programme)

Want to find out more? Our website (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/study/ma/) has full details of our course options, including funding opportunities and module information.

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Combining recent developments in drama education, second language acquisition and ELT methodology, this course offers an innovative approach to teaching drama as a key way of promoting learning and language acquisition in more creative and personalised ways. It is taught in conjunction with the Centre for Applied Linguistics, which has a particular expertise in ELT.

Balancing the study and practice of drama and ELT as both academic and practical subjects, it is suitable for experienced teachers interested in combining both disciplines (Drama and English Language Teaching) at Master’s level, or for teachers of English as a Foreign Language. You’ll examine how drama can motivate your students, improve their speaking confidence, and enable them to use language in cultural contexts, as well as improving your teacher-student relationships.

Core modules develop and extend your understanding of key approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and English Language Learning (ELT), and provide a solid grounding in drama techniques and approaches. You’ll also complete a dissertation based on an individual research project, with support from a member of academic staff.

Course structure

Students will split the taught aspects of the course between the Centre for Education Studies and the Centre for Applied Linguistics.

Core modules

-The Role of Story in Drama & Theatre Education
-Drama and Literacy
-ELT Methodology for pre-experience students
OR
-Issues and Research in ELT for post-experience students
-Second Language Acquisition and Classroom Language Learning
-Literature and Drama in ELT
-Research Methodology for ELT
-Dissertation

Optional modules

Students taking ELT Methodology will also take one of the following optional modules:
-Language Testing
-ICT in ELT
-English for Young Learners or Teacher Education and Development
-Teaching Language and Culture or Management and Leaderships of ELT Institutions

Course delivery and learning styles

The course is delivered through a range of teaching and learning methods: lectures, seminars, practical workshops which involve group work and self-study.

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Course description

This Master's course will give you a completely new insight into how language really works and the way people use words to create meaning.

If you would like to learn how to explore language using innovative techniques and computer tools, then our course will offer you cutting-edge, research-led training of the highest quality, taught by leading researchers in the fields of linguistics and computer science.

You will have options enabling you to study:
• How people use words to make meanings;
• How to analyse real language usage;
• The role of phraseology, metaphor, and idioms;
• Creative and poetic uses of language;
• New approaches to language teaching;
• Translation tools such as translation memory systems;
• Creating dictionaries using new kinds of evidence;
• Using computer tools for teaching and translation.

For further information, please download our flyer here: http://rgcl.wlv.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MA-Practical-Corpus-Linguistics-for-ELT-Lexicography-and-Translation.pdf

Why choose Wolverhampton?

MA Practical Corpus Linguistics for ELT, Lexicography and Translation is an innovative, unique, and up-to-date course based on high-quality interdisciplinary research, with a selection of modules that is unparalleled both on a national and international level. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. As a result, the knowledge and practical skills developed on the course will allow you to meet the most recent and relevant demands of the industry.

You will become proficient in the use of sophisticated corpus tools such as the Sketch Engine (https://www.sketchengine.co.uk), as well as state-of-the-art specialist software for professional translators and lexicographers. You will also be given an option to learn basic computer programming in Python, which is one of the most robust, popular, and widely used programming languages in the field. By the end of the course, you will have developed a unique set of transferrable skills that will make you highly competitive in the marketplace and allow you to find employment as a language professional in industry or in academia.

Figures speak louder than words: the University of Wolverhampton boasts an outstanding graduate employability rate – 98% of our postgraduate students are in work or further training six months after graduation!

What will I learn?

This course will introduce you to the use of corpora – large electronic collections of written and/or spoken text that serve as a reliable source of evidence in linguistic analysis. (‘Corpora’ is the plural of ‘corpus’.) You will learn how to design, analyse, and exploit corpora in language teaching, dictionary writing, and translation for English or any other language.

You will be given freedom and flexibility to tailor the course content to your needs and research interests as we offer a unique selection of general and specialized elective modules from which to choose. Our teaching staff will provide you with support and guidance in selecting the most suitable combination for your research topic.

Semester I will focus on developing general linguistic knowledge and research skills, which you will be able to apply to your chosen area of expertise in Semester II. You will learn about words, meanings, and linguistic creativity, broaden your knowledge of grammar, and acquire basic research and professional skills. You will also have an opportunity to learn the essentials of computer programming by attending our elective module in Python.

Semester II will introduce you to corpus linguistic methods and their application to three areas of research: language teaching, lexicography, and translation. You will start planning your dissertation and engage in one-on-one consultations with your supervisor.
For further information on modules and assessments, please visit our website: http://rgcl.wlv.ac.uk/macorling

Opportunities

As a Master's student on this course, you will be part of our Research Institute of Information and Language Processing (RIILP), an independent, research-driven University unit specializing in linguistics and natural language processing.
• You will be taught by leading researchers in the field: http://rgcl.wlv.ac.uk/macorling/who-will-teach-you-on-this-course/; our teaching staff at RIILP are engaged in high-quality research, as evidenced by the latest RAE 2008 and REF 2014 results;
• We offer an exciting programme of invited lectures and research seminars, attended by both students and staff;
• The institute has a wide network of contacts in academia and in the industry which you will be able to benefit from;
• You will also have an opportunity to travel the world – Malaga, Valencia, Besançon, Naples, Alicante, and Plovdiv are just a few of the many possible destinations covered by our institute’s Erasmus agreements.

Career path

Graduates will be able to pursue a career path in language teaching, translation, lexicography, editing, and human language technology, working either as freelancers or in a variety of industry locations, including publishing houses, translation agencies and IT companies that specialize in the development of language resources and tools (e.g. language learning applications, CAT tools). English language teachers will benefit greatly from the course, as they will develop knowledge and practical skills in using modern lexical resources, corpus data and tools in the preparation of teaching material and in the classroom, which will significantly improve their chances of securing a job in the ELT sector.

The course will also provide a sound intellectual platform for students to progress onto doctorate level study and a career in higher education. As the teaching on the course is based on research carried out within the Research Institute of Information and Language Processing (RIILP), graduates will be well-placed to continue their academic careers by applying for PhD positions within our institute or at other leading centres specializing in Corpus Linguistics, ELT/TESOL, Lexicography, Translation Studies, or Natural Language Processing.

Contact us

• Dr Sara Moze (course leader): [email protected]
• April Harper (admin office): [email protected]
• Research Group website: http://rgcl.wlv.ac.uk/
• Twitter: @RGCL_WLV


*Subject to approval

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This programme provides English language teachers and graduates with relevant teaching experience and a deeper understanding of the field of English Language Teaching (ELT). In addition to specific topics, the programme provides an overview of the theoretical, philosophical and ethical principles that underpin educational research, and introduces you to the theory and practice of action research. The MA ELT is available in face-to-face, distance and blended learning modes.

The MA ELT consists of four modules and a dissertation which includes research methods training. The programme has a strong action research focus which will enable students to carry out classroom-based research projects. In addition, the role of materials is considered at all levels of theory and practice.

The programme is designed to be flexible and compatible with the lives of working teachers. For this reasons students may opt to begin the programme in September or February. The MA is full-time over one year, although some students may wish to study part-time – in which case modules may be spread over six years in consultation with the programme leader.

Students who have accumulated 60 credits by completing two modules may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, and students who have accumulated 120 credits by completing four modules may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. The MA is awarded to students who have accumulated 180 credits by completing all four modulesand the dissertation.

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This programme is delivered exclusively online providing a flexible, module-based pathway of advanced study in the field of ELT. The programme offers a comprehensive overview of the field and aims to encourage you to engage critically with current thinking about language learning and language teaching at a time of rapid global change in education.

This programme is aimed at practising teachers and graduates with relevant teaching experience and has a strong practical focus. It provides a flexible, module-based pathway of advanced study in English Language Teaching (ELT). It offers you a comprehensive overview of the field and encourages you to engage critically with current thinking about language learning and language teaching at a time of rapid global change in education.

Programme structure

The MA ELT consists of four modules and a dissertation which includes research methods training. The programme has a strong action research focus which will enable students to carry out classroom-based research projects in their own educational contexts. In addition the role of materials is considered at all levels of theory and practice.

The programme is designed to be flexible and compatible with the lives of working teachers. For this reasons students may opt to begin the programme in September or February. The MA is part-time over two years, although some students may wish to take longer – in which case modules may be spread over six years in consultation with the programme leader.

Students who have accumulated 60 credits by completing two modules may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate, and students who have accumulated 120 credits by completing four modules may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. The MA is awarded to students who have accumulated 180 credits by completing all four modules, the research methods training, and the dissertation.

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Our MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) will help you obtain professional promotion to positions in TESOL where MA qualifications are necessary or desirable.

You will:
• develop your teaching expertise and an understanding of many approaches to teaching English as a foreign, second or other language
• become familiar with a wide range of literature about the field of teaching English
• develop an ability to present an argument in an academic context
• learn how to carry out research related to many aspects of TESOL

Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/tesol.aspx

Course detail

The course offers:
• a taught first stage, the Postgraduate Diploma TESOL
• a second dissertation stage with an individual tutor
• a chance to exchange views about TESOL with international colleagues on ‘experience’ and ‘non- experience’ routes
• a substantial core of modules and a variety of Elective modules
• if you have appropriate qualifications, the chance to obtain TEFL Q status on the Teaching Practice module
• an excellent combination of theory and practice

The MA/Postgraduate Diploma has two stages:
• Postgraduate Diploma
• MA dissertation (15,000-18,000 words)

Both stages can be completed in 12 months. Part- time students complete the Postgraduate Diploma in two years (taking 60 credits each year) and have 12 months to complete the MA dissertation.

Suitability

The MA/Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a professional development qualification designed for practising teachers of English as a foreign or second language from all parts of the world – the ‘experience’ route.

It is also designed for graduates who wish to begin a career in English language teaching – the ‘non- experience’ route.

It allows both graduates and teachers to develop and further their professional competence alongside an understanding of the theoretical implications of the practice of ELT.

Content

Compulsory core modules (20 credits)
• ELT Methodology and Classroom Investigation
• Language Systems and Appropriate Methodology
• Second Language Learning
• Course Design and Assessment (10 credits)
• Research in TESOL
• Teaching Practice or Practical Project ('experience' route)
• Fundamentals in English Language Teaching ('non- experience') route

Elective modules (10 credits)
Elective modules depend on student demand:
• Young Learners
• Content and Language Integrated Learning
• Cultural Issues in Language Learning and Teaching
• Literature in the English Language Classroom
• Drama in ELT l Language in Use
• Teacher Education
• Using Technology in the ELT Classroom
• Materials and Task Design

Format

Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, group work, practical work related to teaching, and guided independent study. Input sessions are generally organised to make the most of the variety of backgrounds and teaching contexts that students bring to the programme, and all are encouraged to share experience and insights.

The programme is in two stages: Stage 1 consists of six taught modules (ELT Methodology & Classroom Investigation, Language Systems & Appropriate Pedagogy, Second Language Learning and Reseach Methods in ELT – each with thirty hours of contact time – and Course Design, Assessment and an Elective module – each with fifteen hours) plus either Fundamentals of ELT - a 40-hour taught module for students on the non-experience route - or Teaching Practice or Practical Project, in which students work independently, with regular meetings and the guidance from an individual supervisor. Successful completion of Stage 1 results in a Postgraduate Diploma.

In Stage 2, students are assigned an individual supervisor and produce a 15-18,000-word dissertation on a subject of particular personal interest. Successful completion results in award of an MA.Teaching staff, including a Professor and Senior and Principal Lecturers in the School of Language Studies and Applied Linguistics, are all widely experienced professionals in the world of ELT, with backgrounds in teaching, teacher training, course design, assessment and ELT management, and a variety of published work and specialist areas of research and interest.

Assessment

Essays, reports, portfolios, practical teaching and an oral presentation, as well as a 15,000­-18,000 word dissertation (for the MA).

What can I do next?

The skills and attributes you acquire will help you obtain professional promotion to positions in TESOL where MA qualifications are necessary or desirable.

For example:
• in primary, secondary or tertiary school management abroad
• as Directors of Studies or Academic Directors in local and national English language schools
• in Departments of Ministries of Education, such as curriculum and syllabus design, materials writing and assessment
• teacher training
• TESOL publishing
• examinations writing
• academic teaching and research posts in TESOL

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx

Funding

-Masters Loans-

From 2016/17 government loans of up to £10,000 are available for postgraduate Masters study. The loans will be paid directly to students by the Student Loans Company and will be subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

For more information available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/funding-your-postgraduate-degree.aspx

-2017/18 Entry Financial Support-

Information on alternative funding sources is available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/2017-18-entry-financial-support.aspx

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The Diploma in TESOL at the University of Brighton is a postgraduate professional qualification for experienced English language teachers wanting to develop their practice and understanding of English Language Teaching (ELT).

It is part of the School of Humanities ELTEP (English Language Teacher Education Programme) suite of courses, which includes the TESOL MA. Students wanting to go on to the MA after the Diploma can be accredited for previous study.

The Diploma in TESOL combines assessed teaching practice with academic study into aspects of language teaching and learning such as ELT methodology, use of technologies, materials, language analysis and exploration and second language acquisition.

A key component of the Diploma in TESOL is the development of teaching practitioners’ reflective ability. Our aim is to help teachers deepen their understanding about their own professional practice and this is integrated throughout the course.

Why study with us?

• Shared modules with the TESOL MA, meaning you can carry over up to 60 credits towards the masters programme

• Students from a range of cultural and teaching backgrounds – a variety that adds depth to seminar discussions

• Chance to apply the course to your own professional context and experience, and personalise it according to your needs

• Exploration of modern technology and its impact on education, reflecting the importance of English in the new media of global communication

• Preparation for the complexities of the global market through teaching that accounts for international contexts

Course structure

The course comprises five modules, which relate theories and research to professional contexts. Assessments are varied and most encourage the development of reflective practice, which plays a key part in professional development. This reflection is assessed in the form of a reflective blog that documents your teaching assessments, peer observations and reactions to and thoughts about issues relating to your experiences on the course, in your professional context and from your reading.

The Diploma in TESOL is validated by the University of Brighton and has the appropriate amount of assessed teaching practice and input hours set by British Council guidelines. The course is therefore equivalent to other ELT Diplomas such as the Cambridge DELTA or Trinity DipTESOL.

Areas of study

• ELT Methodology – Approaches and Methods

This module informs you of a range of developments in English language teaching methodology and extends your repertoire of teaching skills. It also familiarises you with a range of ELT resources for different contexts and enables you to approach a variety of teaching contexts reflectively.

The module is assessed by a portfolio with three components: a short Statement of Relevance where you relate an issue from the module to your practice; an in-class presentation; and a longer reflective essay.

• Language Awareness

This module develops an awareness of language systems. It helps you to critically evaluate analytical and classificatory frameworks of English grammar and pronunciation and to analyse the organisation of discourse in English. The modules is assessed by a three-hour exam.

• Second Language Acquisition

This module explores research on second language acquisition (SLA), from the analysis of learner language to current cognitive and sociocultural models. An important focus is the consideration of the implications of SLA research for English language teaching.

The module is assessed by a 4,000-word essay that applies SLA research to a professional context.

• Materials

This module focuses on the role, use and development of materials in the language classroom. It explores at the evaluation and design of materials as well as the use of new technologies.

• Teaching and Reflection

This is the most important module, allowing you to gain practical experience teaching English as a second language. Your classes need to demonstrate a variety of levels, content and approaches, as you are assessed in your place of work five times over the duration of the course.

From the five assessments, the top four make up your final module grade. Observations are recorded so you can look at your own practice and develop reflective skills and self-awareness. Even students who were at first apprehensive have responded very positively to this experience.

In addition, you are required to document your learning and developments through a reflective blog. This blog will contain reflections on your assessed teaching, peer observations and at least five ‘critical incidents’ that have made you question aspects of your own practice or the ELT context in general.

Support is provided through a series of Saturday workshops, tutor support and small action learning groups.

Careers and employability

The Diploma in TESOL at the University of Brighton is recognised as being equivalent to other similar Diplomas (DELTA, Trinity DipTESOL) as it has the required amount of teaching assessments and course content. As such, it equips language teachers with the skills needed to develop professionally within a wide range of ELT contexts.

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Summary

This programme provides a focused route for recent graduates wishing to develop their understanding of the theory and practice of English language /TESOL teaching in order to start their career as English language professionals and gain the skills required to develop their professional practice.

Modules

Core modules: Principles of Communicative Language Teaching; Developing Approaches to Language Teaching; Description of Language; Research Skills (dissertation)

Visit our website for further information.

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The English Language Teaching MA is aimed at language specialists worldwide; native or non-native speakers of English. It is ideal for those who have previous experience of English Language Teaching (ELT) and/or research in this discipline.

The course explores contemporary research issues and a variety of teaching methodologies in ELT, and gives you the opportunity to broaden your understanding of the theoretical and practical issues that ELT teachers and learners face in the classroom.

While focusing on research trends and issues, this MA is designed to improve your opportunities for teaching English language in a variety of different situations, both in the UK and abroad. It differs from many other master's degrees as it includes a mix of practical and theoretical subjects that will be useful for English language teachers.

You will be taught in excellent classroom facilities within our Centre for English Language Learning, which is accredited by the British Council. Taught modules will require preparatory reading and weekly attendance over two terms. Formal classroom contact will normally include a two-hour session per week, per module, and will take the form of a workshop. This may require attendance at the university for up to three days a week.

All members of the English language department are highly qualified and experienced and bring a truly international dimension to their teaching.

The course is designed primarily to enhance your potential and future career prospects in English Language Teaching and further ELT research. Graduates have gone on to be a director of studies, web based teacher and designer, ESP trainer
for multinational companies, materials and resource designer and a one-to-one tutor.

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This MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching is for experienced EFL teachers wanting to learn more about current ELT/ESL research, theory, pedagogy and practice. A great opportunity to develop your career in TEFL/TESOL and develop expertise in specialist fields such as language assessment and testing, materials development, teaching EAP, becoming a teacher educator, management and evaluation and ESOL.

Key benefits

- An opportunity to expand your knowledge of current theoretical and practical aspects of language teaching.

- Develop professional expertise relevant to your career development in areas such as EAP, teaching ESOL, materials development, language testing and assessment, teacher education.

- Excellent tutorial support and extensive programme-specific training in research methods and academic writing.

- Exchange ideas with other experienced language teaching professionals from many different contexts.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/applied-linguistics-and-english-language-teaching-ma.aspx

Course detail

- Description -

The programme provides opportunities to explore recent research in the field and find out more about specialist areas such as teacher education, materials development, teaching English for academic purposes, management and evaluation in ELT and intercultural studies.

Core modules deal with language teaching methodology and curriculum design, linguistic analysis for language teaching, issues in language acquisition and use (sociolinguistics, social & psychological aspects of second language learning) and research methods. The programme also places particular emphasis on the notion of informed teaching and the need for teachers to mediate between theory and practice in constructing pedagogies according to specific teaching-learning contexts.

- Course purpose -

For experienced language teachers who want to reflect upon and further develop their understanding of the various theoretical and practical issues that impact on the field of language learning and teaching.

- Course format and assessment -

Students on the standard programme follow all the core modules and choose two optional modules. Students who have the Cambridge ESOL DELTA or Trinity House Diploma in ELT may be eligible for the part time "fast track" version of the programme which gives them exemption from Principles & Practice in ELT, and one of the optional modules. Assessment is by coursework assignments and dissertation. There are no examinations.

Career prospects

This programme is especially popular with UK-based and international students who are at a point in their career when a master's degree is helpful in professional advancement. Our graduates have found that their promotion opportunities have been greatly enhanced by this advanced qualification. More recently, some of our graduates have returned to take up MPhil/PhD studies.

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 20 universities worldwide (2015/16 QS World Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

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The MA in Applied Linguistics and ELT programme at St Mary’s has been running for more than 25 years and has helped develop the careers of hundreds of professionals in language teaching, management, publishing and research.

The Applied Linguistics MA is designed primarily for teachers of English and of other modern languages who are interested in extending their knowledge of language and language teaching.

It provides participants with the opportunity to explore developments in applied linguistics and language teaching in the light of their own practical expertise and knowledge.

Why St Mary's?

This is a course with committed lecturers engaging with small groups, usually no more than 10-15 in each year. Compared to many other MA programmes in the UK this is a very low number and we have deliberately kept it small in order to keep the quality of our teaching high. We know all our students by name, and are able to give them a lot of individual attention and support.

We examine not only the subject of teaching, but also the nature of language from diverse theoretical, social and cognitive perspectives.

The content is demanding, but support is also strong. The rewards for students is great, both in how they learn to think about language and in their careers.

A Student View

Ute
"This Master's programme is an excellent educational experience. It is really fascinating and challenging and has enriched my life considerably. It has boosted my professional career, enhanced my self-esteem and helped me to become a critical thinker. The lecturers are very enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable in their fields; they are friendly and approachable and help you wherever they can."

Course Content

Students following the MA Programme have to complete six taught modules. In the full-time programme, three modules are taught per semester over one academic year. In the part-time programme in Berlin, three modules are taught in each of the two years.
The modules offered are likely to be:
› Language Theory
› English Language Description
› ELT Syllabus Design and Methodology
› Language Acquisition
› Sociolinguistics
› ELT Teacher Development and Management
› Research Methods and Dissertation

Please note: All information is correct at the time of publication. However, course content is regularly updated and this may result in some changes, which will be communicated to students before their programme begins.

Teaching and Assessment

To qualify for the MA you will need to be awarded 180 credits. There are six essays to complete, one for each module, and each worth 20 credits. The dissertation is worth 60 credits. The pass mark is 50%. Marks between 60% and 69% are in the merit category; marks over 70% are in the distinction category.

You will usually be taught in seminar groups of no more than 15 students. Small classes facilitate lively discussion and the forging of close and supportive academic relationships between students.

Full-time students attend three 2-hour seminars per week, currently timetabled for Thursdays and Fridays. In the Autumn semester, there is an additional Academic Orientation module that runs for six weeks. In the Spring semester there is an additional Research Methods module that runs for ten weeks.

We encourage an open and friendly relationship between students and staff. Students should feel free to make tutorial appointments with tutors, who are always happy to meet with them.

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Studying for your Masters in TESOL is the key to unlocking international career opportunities in a sector that is enjoying impressive sustained growth.

We will help you to master the main theories and principles of language learning and teaching so that you can apply them with confidence and imagination in your own teaching practice.

A range of optional modules will allow you to specialise, while the dissertation will enable you to undertake in-depth research into a topic of particular interest to you.

This course is a great complement to a teaching qualification, opening up opportunities to become an active member of the international academic and professional English Language Teaching community.

Programme structure

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.

Example module listing

The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.

• Second Language Acquisition and Learning 
• English Grammar for Teachers 
• Phonetics and Phonology for Teachers 
• Language Teaching Methodology 
• Curriculum Design 
• Research Methodologies
• Testing and Assessment in ELT
• Text and Discourse Analysis
• Teaching Intercultural Communication 
• Computer Assisted Language Learning
• Teaching English for Specific Purposes 
• ELT Materials: Design and Evaluation
• Teaching Young Learners 
• Management in ELT 
• Dissertation 

Educational aims of the programme

This programme is designed for students who have little or no previous language teaching experience or training but who have a strong interest in English language teaching and who are planning a career in the sector.

It's main aim is therefore to provide a sound academic basis in English language teaching through the exploration of major issues in language teaching and learning, including how practice is informed by theory, thereby determining the methods/approaches as well as the materials teachers use and their impact in ESOL classrooms.

The programme thus combines the study of the major principles of, and scholarly approaches to, TESOL with opportunities for application and practice. Specifically, the programme aims to:

• Advance students’ knowledge and understanding of the grammatical, lexical and phonological structures and stylistic registers of English and how they work together in producing effective communication
• Introduce students to theoretical issues in TESOL through an exploration of scholarly writing in the field and to the application of these theories within the ESOL classroom
• Promote critical engagement with concepts, theories and practices associated with English language teaching through reflection and evaluation
• Provide a theoretical and methodological framework within which students can take responsibility for their own learning and formulate and address their own research questions
• Provide opportunities for students to create and carry out a project of significant complexity in the field of TESOL
• Foster reflective practice

Programme learning outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

Following completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• Describe and explain the underlying grammatical, lexical and phonological structures of the English language
• Demonstrate understanding of the way communication is constructed, maintained or repaired through English
• Evaluate theoretical issues relevant to second language acquisition and learning
• Critically assess the principles underpinning curriculum design, language teaching methodology and materials selection
• Demonstrate understanding of the main issues relevant to testing and assessment of language learning
• Apply the principles which underpin the design and implementation of research projects in English language teaching

Intellectual/cognitive skills

Following completion of the programme, students should be able to: 

• Demonstrate high level learning and problem-solving skills
• Reflect upon the knowledge gained and incorporate this into independent learning strategies and practical classroom practice
• Formulate and address research questions relating to the field of study
• Create and carry out a project of significant complexity in the field of TESOL
• Critically appreciate and evaluate theories of language acquisition and learning, curriculum design, teaching methodologies and apply this

Professional practical skills

Following completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• Apply theoretically informed understandings to various contexts in TESOL
• Critically assess the appropriate approaches for applying teaching and learning strategies within various TESOL context
• Apply appropriate English language teaching methodologies in various TESOL contexts
• Evaluate and apply appropriate methods of assessment and testing in language teaching
• Display competence in a range of skills at postgraduate level, including advanced analysis and synthesis of arguments, presentation, conducting independent research

Key/transferable skills

Following completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• Work both independently and with others in order to achieve common goals
• Manage learning self-critically
• Critically evaluate research using appropriate theoretical and/or methodological frameworks
• Organise and manage a research project of significant complexity

Global opportunities

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

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This course offers an advanced level professional qualification for practising and aspiring teachers of English and has been designed for both native and non-native English speakers.

Students have the opportunity to carry out a major piece of individual research on a topic of special interest.

Intermediate qualifications available:

• Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Masters level
• Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/applied-linguistics

Course detail

• Study a distinctive course with assessed teaching practice enabling you, with the relevant teaching experience, to gain British Council ‘TEFL Q’ (qualified) status and its associated career advantages
• Explore practical issues relevant to your own professional working environment with an optional Professional Practice unit, which could involve opportunities to gain teaching experience abroad
• Develop your understanding of how language systems can be taught, as well as theories of language teaching such as language acquisition and intercultural communication
• Gain from access to the expertise of CRELLA, our world-renowned Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment; nationally and internationally recognised as a leading UK-based centre for research into language learning and assessment
• Benefit from a course which gives you access to a range of careers in universities, colleges, and language schools in many countries; in ELT development and publishing; or further study at PhD level.

Modules

• Exploring Research: Concepts and Methods
• The Language System
• The Language System and Language Teaching
• The Methodology of Language Teaching
• Issues in Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
• Professional Practices
• Teaching Practice
• L2 Materials Development
• Assessment and Accreditation
• Dissertation in Applied Linguistics (TEFL)

Assessment

A range of assessment methods are used throughout the programme: a variety of group and individual assessments throughout the duration of the programme which underline research and independent thinking, critical knowledge theory and practice and the ability to make informed decisions. This is relevant to the intended learning outcomes of our programme.

We use a variety of different tasks as part of our assessment, for example:
• Academic papers, dissertation
• Oral presentations
• Materials evaluation and production for language teaching and learning purposes
• In-class tests and examinations
• Portfolios of small practical tasks

Careers

This MA in Applied Linguistics (TEFL) caters for those who want to develop their experience and research in a number of areas related to Applied Linguistics, particularly as it is specifically designed for those who are planning to become English Language teachers, those who wish to develop their knowledge and experience in L2 Materials Development and those who are looking to develop a critical insight into language assessment and testing.

This course is one of the few courses in the Higher Education market for masters in 'ELT and Applied Linguistics’ (English Language Teaching) as it allows experienced teachers to gain professional accreditation following British Council recommendations for TEFL qualifications in relation to gaining TEFL recognition (TEFLQ status to those who have a minimum of two years of teaching experience prior to the above mentioned teaching practice unit).

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is offered by specialists in the field of Applied Linguistics.

Key Features of TESOL

Swansea University has one of the longest established Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) training and education centres in the UK and is internationally known for excellence in vocabulary research. Currently staff expertise exists in corpus linguistics, computer assisted language learning and stylistics. Internationally recruited staff offer a wide range of relevant experience and contacts across countries and continents as well as different levels of kinds of education. The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is intended for those who have already begun to develop an informed interest or have some previous training or relevant experience in the field.

El Gazette ranked the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics at Swansea, top for world class research in English Language.

Students enrolled on the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme will benefit from the College of Arts and Humanities' Graduate Centre. The Graduate Centre fosters and supports individual and collaborative research activity of international excellence and offers a vibrant and supportive environment for students pursuing postgraduate research and taught Master's study. The Centre provides postgraduate training to enhance academic and professional development and facilitates participation in seminar programmes, workshops and international conferences.

The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) has two parts: a taught component and either a dissertation or practical teaching of English language classes.

TESOL students following the practical route will be supported, observed and assessed teaching English. They are also required to produce a portfolio of teaching and testing materials. This route would be indicated on the final MA certificate.

TESOL Programme Aims

- The MA TESOL is a one-year full time, campus-based programme designed to give (prospective) teachers of English as a foreign/second language a thorough understanding of current theories, trends, and cutting edge applied linguistics research relevant for language teaching.

- The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme also aims to stimulate reflection on students’ own teaching practices.

- TESOL students are assessed through a range of assessments, including essays, data analysis projects, group projects, and in-class

exams.

- TESOL students with some experience in language teaching and/or some formal background in linguistics are likely to benefit most from the programme.

Modules

Modules on the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme typically include:

• Vocabulary: Teaching and Learning

• Describing English

• Discourse Analysis for ELT

• Communicative Language Teaching

• Second Language Acquisition

• Young Language Learners

• Research Methods for ELT

• Language Testing and Assessment

Who should Apply to the TESOL Programme?

- Prospective students interested in teaching English as a foreign or second language.

- Prospective students who have experience of teaching English as a second or foreign language, or who have some previous training or relevant work experience in the field.

- Prospective students who wish to gain academic training in applied linguistics, in preparation for advanced academic degrees (e.g., MPhil, PhD) in applied linguistics or related disciplines.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from the MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Swansea can expect to pursue careers in ESL and EFL teaching, teacher training, material development, international education, publishing, and in a wide range of international settings requiring in-depth understanding of language learning, teaching, and research.

Student Quote

“Studying abroad has always been one of my dreams. My friends have always told me that the period studying as a student is the most enjoyable time in life. I didn't really believe it till I started my MA course at the Swansea University. The course in Teaching English As a Foreign Language (TEFL, now TESOL) helped me to deepen my knowledge in that field. All of the lecturers I had a chance to meet were really helpful, motivating and friendly. They were professional and possessed a great knowledge of what they teach. The modules offered include theory as well as practice. The facilities provided by the University, such as computer rooms and the library were great as well and well equipped. I really regret that the time I spent in Swansea is now over. It was a great experience for me and gave me a chance to meet and make friends with many people from all over the world.”

Anna Marie Poczta, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), MA

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This is a Masters course that can take you into employment anywhere in the world.

If you are enthusiastic about teaching English as a foreign or second language, then our course offers you vocationally-relevant, research-led training of the highest quality, taught by academics known for their teaching excellence.

You explore teaching methods and the description of English used in the investigation of language learning and teaching, and study additional topics according to your needs. These might include:
-How second language learners acquire vocabulary, and how vocabulary can be taught
-Computer-assisted language-learning
-Literature and language-learning
-Materials design and evaluation
-Teaching Writing in EFL/ESL

You also gain hands-on teaching experience through our Teaching Practice I and Teaching Practice II modules.

Whether you have no prior teaching experience or are already an English language teacher, this course can be adapted to suit you. If you have little or no previous teaching experience, you receive ‘hands on’ teaching practice throughout the course via TEFL, while if you already have more than two year’s full-time teaching experience, you can undertake specialist study through TESOL instead.

You'll be part of our Centre for Research in Language Development throughout the Lifespan (LaDeLi), a unique research centre specialising in all aspects of language learning and development.

We are one of the largest and most prestigious language and linguistics departments in the world, a place where talented students become part of an academic community in which the majority of research is rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF 2014), placing us firmly within the top 10 departments in the UK and ranked among the top 150 departments on the planet according to the QS World [University] Rankings [2016] for linguistics.

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

This course is also available on a part-time basis.

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally renowned. Florence Myles authored the best-selling Second Language Learning Theories, and Bob Borsley wrote both Syntactic Theory: a Unified Approach and Modern Phrase Structure Grammar.

Other teachers on this course include Christina Gkonou, who has conducted extensive research into the effects of individual factors like anxiety on success in language learning, and Julian Good and Tracey Costley, who have taught English in Europe, the Far East and South America for many years before coming to Essex.

Karen Roehr-Brackin is a leading expert on the relationship between metalinguistic knowledge (conscious awareness of the rules of language) and language learning ability, and Adela Gánem-Gutiérrez is a leading expert on the use of computers and the role that interaction in the classroom plays in language learning.

Specialist facilities

-An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
-Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
-Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives

Your future

Takers of our MA TEFL and other courses in English Language Teaching come with the specific intention of entering the ELT/TESOL profession, which they duly go on to do.

Students on these courses often join us after a career in English teaching, to update their expertise and return to the classroom with a career enhancement.

The specialist knowledge you gain enables you to take senior or specialist roles (for example in computer-assisted language-learning, ESP or teaching young learners), not necessarily only in the classroom but also in educational advice and management, programme evaluation, syllabus design and teacher education.

We also work with the University’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Teaching Practice I
-Description of Language for TEFL/ELT and Applied Linguistics
-Approaches, Methods and Teacher Development for TEFL/TESOL
-Research Methods I
-Assignment Writing and Dissertation Preparation
-Research Methods II
-MA Dissertation
-Second Language Vocabulary: Learning, Teaching and Use (optional)
-Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching (optional)
-Foundations of Computer Assisted Language Learning (optional)
-Literature and Language Teaching (optional)
-Materials Design and Evaluation (optional)
-Teaching, Listening and Speaking (optional)
-Teaching and Learning Grammar (optional)
-Teaching English to Young Learners: Principles and Practice (optional)
-Teaching Practice II (optional)
-Reflective Practitioner (optional)
-Teaching Reading and Writing in TEFL/TESOL (optional)

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