The MA in TEFL/TESL is intended for teachers of English who wish to upgrade their professional standing. It is most suitable for teachers whose interests lie mainly in classroom practice. Students on the MA in TEFL/TESL take six taught modules. The first three modules are taught in the September-December term. The other three modules are taught in the January-March term. Students also write a 12,000 word dissertation. Applicants who hold the Cambridge Postgraduate Diploma in ELT Management may be exempt from part of the taught components of the programme.
In addition, there are two non-assessed components in the programme. All students take a short course - Introduction to the Bank of English - which introduces them to the 400 million word Cobuild Bank of English corpus, an invaluable collection of authentic language data against which theory, intuition and pedagogic materials can be measured. Students who have not previously been educated through the medium of English also have the opportunity to take a course in Academic English.
| Module 1 |
Introduction to language (20 credits)
This includes aspects of lexis, pedagogic grammar. Students are provided with the tools to analyse, compare and discuss samples of authentic English. |
| Module 2 |
Syllabus and materials design (20 credits) This module examines a number of different types of syllabus and the methodologies, and in many cases complete philosophies, which lie behind them. The strengths and weaknesses of the different types of syllabus are discussed, along with the ways in which they have been put into practice in the form of teaching material and classroom methodology. Having looked in detail at a range of different syllabuses, we turn to the more practical aspects of constructing a syllabus and the instruments and skills that you need in order to do this. |
| Module 3 |
Second language teaching and learning (20 credits)
This module includes the study of methodology and of second language acquisition. We look at current research into how languages are learnt, and the implications for language teaching methodology. We also examine different approaches to language teaching, especially Communicative Language Teaching. Students are asked to relate the theory to their own experience. |
| Module 4 |
Research methods in Applied Linguistics (20 credits) This module includes a course in methods and approaches to research in Applied Linguistics. In addition, students select one option from the range on offer and apply what they have learned to a small research project. |
| Module 5 |
One option module (20 credits) Students select one option from the range on offer. You may also if you wish sit in on another option without being assessed in it. |
| Module 6 |
One option module (20 credits) Students select one option from the range on offer. You may also if you wish sit in on another option without being assessed in it. |
| Dissertation | Under the guidance of a supervisor, students produce a 12,000 word dissertation on an area of interest of their own choosing. The dissertation carries 60 credits. |
Centre for English Language Studies (CELS), Westmere House, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5695/6. Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3298. Email: CELS@bham.ac.uk
