Master Degree of Arts in Education: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL) In Cooperation with The School of Education at The University of Leeds, UK 2007/2008
Introduction The importance of education has increased with the growth and expansion of economic, cultural and scientific globalization move. Now that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), the need for highly qualified teachers of both genders has increased. This places additional responsibilities on the Kingdom's educational sector. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction at KSU in Riyadh is one of the leading departments in postgraduate studies in the country. This department contributes to the development of education through the preparation of graduates, the improvement of teachers skills, and the development of educational curricula. In support of the King Saud University vision, and its strategic plan for the next four years, which emphasizes developing collaboration and creating partnerships between KSU and other internationally recognized universities, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a new Masters programme in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) as a leading programme in the country in cooperation with the School of Education at the University of Leeds in the UK. The University of Leeds The University of Leeds is a top-ten research university, placed 7th place nationally for the number of top scoring researchers and 8th for 'research power,' out of the 173 institutions taking part in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise - RAE, (next RAE to be published in December 2008). Seventy percent of University of Leeds researchers are working at the highest level on projects of international importance and just under 800 researchers at the University have been given the highest ratings - 5* or 5. The University is internationally acknowledged as a centre of excellence in a wide range of academic and professional disciplines. Its broad research and skills base and superb facilities attract interest from major multinationals and small local businesses alike. Many of its research initiatives cross traditional subject boundaries and Leeds currently promotes projects through 58 inter-disciplinary centres and seven research schools. The University of Leeds was chosen because of: 1- The TESOL group at Leeds is a highly recognized in this field all over the world and is considered a centre of excellence in TESOL research. 2- Leeds has successful experience of contributing to the development of TESOL worldwide. 3- They are familiar with and aware of Saudi cultural values and our educational environment. The University of Leeds will participate in providing 30% of the programme teaching and supervision. ١
Title of the Degree The degree is a KSU degree and the title is: (Master of Arts in Education - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (MA in TESOL). Programme Objectives The MA programme aims at the following: 1. Meeting the need for the preparation of highly qualified specialists in English language teaching, in order to take responsibility for leading and supervising tasks in the educational sectors. 2. Introducing students to current scientific trends in the field of English language teaching, and enabling them to critically evaluate the studies and research in the field. 3. Informing students about key issues in and problems relating to English language teaching at different educational levels and enabling them to develop strategies to deal creatively with these problems. 4. Achieving some of the goals of the King Abdullah project (TATWEER) in prequalifying in-service teachers and specialists who will be able to design, execute, and evaluate English language curricula and teaching methods. Admission Requirements In addition to the requirements stated in the higher education standard regulations of the Saudi universities, the department adds the following requirements: 1. The applicant must satisfy the entry requirements of the Faculty of Education. 2. The applicant must have B.A. in Linguistics or Applied Linguistics from King Saud University or an equivalent degree. (For those applicants who don t have B.A. in education they must have a diploma in education). 3. Applicants must meet the requirements set forth by the Department of Curriculum & Instruction for the year the application is submitted. 4. Applicant must have at least 2 years teaching experience. 5. Applicant must pass IELTS test with the score 6.5 (with no paper less than 6) or TOFEL equivalent (580 and TWE 4.0). ٢
Prospective Students 1- Female and Male teachers of English. 2- Ministry of Education Supervisors of both Genders. 3- Curriculum developers and syllabus designers. 4- Teachers of other languages. Programme Structure No Courses Credits 1 Shared courses studied by all paths in the department of curriculum & instruction and other courses taken from other departments in the Faculty of Education. 11 2 English language teaching specialist courses 31 Total of Credits 42 ٣
Programme Plan First Semester No Course code Title Credits 1 PSY 502 Educational Research Methodology 3 2 PSY 503 Educational Statistics 3 3 CI 500 Curriculum Foundations 3 4 CI 580 Language Learning for TESOL 3 5 CI 582 Advanced Methodology for TESOL - 1 3 Total Credits 15 Second Semester No Course code Title Credits 1 CI 525 Curriculum Development 2 2 CI 584 Syllabus Design for TESOL 3 3 CI 586 Advanced Methodology for TESOL 2 3 4 CI 588 Evaluation for TESOL 3 5 CI 590 Computer Assisted Language Learning 3 Total Credits 14 Third Semester (Taught in Leeds ) No Course code Title Credits 1 CI 592 Teaching English for Young Learners 3 2 CI 594 Teacher Education for TESOL 3 3 CI 596 Materials Evaluation and Design for TESOL 3 Total Credits 9 ٤
Fourth Semester ( Partially taught in Leeds) No Course code Title Credits 1 CI 598 Graduation Project 4 Total Credits 4 ٥
Descriptions of Courses CI 500 Curriculum Foundations (3+0 ) Presentation of conceptual formulations concerning curriculum theory and propositions, foundations: philosophy, sociology, and learning theories, the curriculum system and its components, crucial issues in developing a curriculum theory, and theoretical curriculum models: analysis and assessment. CI 525 Curriculum Development (2+0) Presentations concerning educational planning and curricular decision-making relating to curriculum: aims, goals, subjects, and objectives, nature of knowledge, disciplines, and subjects, curriculum structures: sequence and scope, substantive structural models, content and activity selection, product analysis and production, evaluation, and curriculum modification and change. CI 580 Language Learning for TESOL (3+0) This course introduces the students to major theories of language learning and views of learning underlying different approaches to language teaching. It involves a general overview of aspects of language processing, errors in language learning, instructed language development and individual differences, and what these suggest about the conditions that can help or hinder learners' language development. CI 582 Advanced Methodology for TESOL -1 (3+0) This course aims at enabling the students to describe and analyze different approaches to teaching English, to discuss and assess the principles underlying procedures for teaching Speaking, Listening, Vocabulary and Grammar with particular reference to language focus and language development. It also acquaints the students with the skills to critically discuss relevant research literature. CI 584 Syllabus Design for TESOL (3+0 ) This course aims at introducing the students to the following: syllabus definitions and the role of syllabus in teaching and learning; principles of syllabus design and organization, learner needs; types of syllabus; factors which affect syllabus design, implementation and evaluation; teacher role in syllabus design and implementation. CI 586 Advanced Methodology for TESOL -2 (3+0) This course aims at enabling the students to describe and analyze different approaches to teaching English, to discuss and assess the principles underlying procedures for teaching Reading and Writing with particular reference to language focus and language development. It also acquaints the students with the skills to critically discuss relevant research literature. ٦
CI 588 Evaluation for TESOL (3+0) This course introduces the students to the skills needed to critically examine a range of issues concerning evaluation and testing in the context of TESOL. This is a practical course to help language teachers to understand the role of testing in language teaching (including discussion on how testing can encourage good teaching and learning). It also enables the students to take appropriate professional action in the light of their understanding and awareness of language testing. CI 590 Computer Assisted Language Learning (3+0) This course is intended to give participants a broad general view of computer-assisted language teaching and learning. It will involve participants in exploring a working theory of language learning, using and discussing existing and potential applications of computer technology in the language classroom, and carry out projects in which they try to apply knowledge gained through reading, discussion, and hands-on experience. CI 592 Teaching English to Young Learners (3+0) This course examines and explains how children can be taught oral and literacy skills in foreign language. It allows the students to gain an overview of current research into children s learning of a second or foreign language. It also introduces the students to the principles and theoretical bases which underpin current approaches to teaching young learners, how to describe, analyze and evaluate a range of teaching techniques, activities, tasks and materials in terms of their potential for developing children s foreign language skills. CI 594 Teacher Education for TESOL (3+0) This course aims at enabling the students to describe and discuss different ways of conceptualising the goals of TESOL teacher education. It also aims to provide the students with opportunities to discuss different aspects of the process of TESOL teacher learning and to consider the implications of their discussion of goals and processes for the planning of appropriate teacher education programs. CI 596 Material Evaluation and Design for TESOL (3+0 ) This course focuses on the language learning materials used in the Saudi context. It will provide the participants with the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of materials evaluation procedures. It also introduces participants to principles which inform materials design and provides opportunities to use these to adapt and/or design materials specifically for their own teaching context. CI 598 Graduation Project (4+0) The objective of this project is to give the students the chance to conduct a small scale study. This will involve critically examining a particular issue relating to their experience of teaching or learning in a TEFL context, and using one or more educational research techniques to investigate an aspect of the issue more fully. ٧
PSY 502 Educational Research Methodology (3+0) This course covers all major research methodology as applied in educational settings. Students are exposed to techniques that will enable them to begin to understand the nature of scientific inquiry, and develop skills necessary for conducting and evaluating research. PSY 503 Educational Statistics (3+0) An introduction to statistical methods needed for basic data analysis in education. It includes an introduction to distribution of variables, measures of central tendency, variability, hypothesis testing, and correlation techniques. The emphasis is placed on theoretical and computational skills, as well as including partial and multiple correlation and emphasis on application to problems commonly faced in education. ٨