You will study four core modules and one optional module before completing your 15,000 word dissertation.
Core modules
You will study four core modules:
Syllabus Design & Language Teaching
This module critically evaluates a number of different syllabus designs and shows how different types of syllabus can be matched with particular teaching situations. We will be examining the relationship between teaching material and the syllabus and students will have the opportunity to design a syllabus for a specific teaching situation based on data obtained from a needs analysis. The module will also focus on developing specific teaching skills, in particular:
Planning and evaluating a language lesson;
Presenting and practising vocabulary and grammatical structures;
Using educational technology and other teaching equipment;
Asking questions, eliciting responses, and correcting errors;
Teaching through task based learning;
Teaching reading and writing;
Teaching listening and speaking (including pronunciation);
Managing classroom interaction and dealing with problem behaviour
Assessment: 2,000 word essay (50%) and 2,000 word portfolio (50%) containing; the lesson plan, example of teaching material and report of the proposed lesson.
Second Language Learning and Teaching
In this module, the process of language acquisition is examined from a range of perspectives: [a] the linguistic knowledge that learners bring to the task; [b] how learners process input; [c] the kinds of input that help to maximise acquisition. A range of approaches to and methods of language teaching are introduced and critically evaluated in terms of their underlying principles and their efficacy, with some emphasis on the ‘Communicative Approach’. Specific techniques which illustrate the practical application of current theories and research findings in L2 acquisition and pedagogy are examined.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
Teaching and Learning Grammar and Vocabulary
This module introduces you to the analysis of English lexico-grammar, with some emphasis on the relevance of linguistic description to language teachers – that is, on applying methods of analysis to the teaching of grammar and vocabulary. You will be encouraged to apply knowledge gained to aspects of your own professional practice.
Assessment: 4,000-word assignment
Classroom Research Methods
This module introduces the main concepts and techniques used in research in and into second language classrooms. In essence, this involves looking at two kinds of research traditions:
experimental research, which is often quantitative, and involves looking at linguistic or other outcomes, often independently of classroom interaction, with the purpose of making general statements about, say, how language is (best) learnt and/or acquired
‘action’ research, which is usually qualitative, and involves examining specific classroom interactions in a single period of time, generally with the intent of modifying or improving teacher behaviour
The module examines the kinds of instruments used to examine and measure factors which influence or are part of classroom events, such as the investigation of attitudes and beliefs and the observation of interactions in the classroom. These research instruments will include questionnaires, interviews, classroom observation and transcription, learning diaries, journals etc.
Finally, students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge of research design and research instruments by designing a piece of research which could form the basis of their dissertation or teaching project.
Assessment: 2 x 2,000-word assignments
Optional modules
You will also choose two optional modules from a range which may include the following:
Bilingualism and Multilingualism in the TESOL Classroom
Business Discourse and Communication
Corpus Assisted Language Learning
English as an International Language
Issues in Intercultural Communication
Language and Politics
Language and Gesture
Language and New Media
Language Teacher Training
Language, Gender and Identity
Lexicography
Psycholinguistics in TESOL
For more information, see our English Language and Linguistics module descriptions.
Final Project
In addition to your taught modules, you will either take:
Dissertation
Conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
Or
The Teaching Project
The Teaching Project is a very practical classroom based project that will give you the opportunity of developing essential classroom skills such as designing and delivering a lesson, creating a lesson plan and developing new classroom material and/or exploiting existing material.
For this project, you will be asked to prepare two different lessons. These lessons must be significantly different in either type and/or level. In most cases the lesson should be 50 minutes in length however a task-based lesson may need to be longer. You will show how you are able to adapt published materials, or develop your own materials, to meet the needs of a particular group of learners.
Assessment: Lesson plan, teaching material, video component and 2 X 3,000 word written assignments
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
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