PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 2014-2015 Programme Title UCAS/JACS Code School/Subject Area Final Award Interim Award(s) Mode(s) of Study MA in TESOL X162 LSS MA Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) Full-time, part-time Normal Length of 12 months full time, 2-3 years part time Programme Total Credits 180 Programme Accredited By Dates Programme Specification Written and Revised N/A 3 November 2004, Sue Garton Revised for 2006/07 by Nur Hooton, July 2006 Revised for 2007/08 by Nur Hooton, September 2007 Revised for 2008/09 by Nur Hooton, August 2008 July 2009 Revised for 2011/12 by Nur Hooton, September 2011 Revised for 2012/13 by Nur Hooton, September 2012 Revised for 2013/14 by Nur Hooton, March 2013 Format change August 2013 Revised for 2014/15 by Nur Hooton, February 2014
Educational Aims of the Programme The overall aim of the course is to provide an up-to-date framework, based on linguistic, social and intercultural awareness, for developing students professional expertise and theoretical knowledge in the area of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Specifically, it aims to: familiarise students with the various literatures and key issues in the interdisciplinary field of TESOL; introduce students to a range of research methods and techniques relevant to their academic and professional development; enable students to make informed decisions on any aspect of TESOL; support the development of the reflective practitioner through a working integration of theory and practice; help students actively participate as members of an international professional and scholarly discourse community; provide students with an enjoyable, coherent and worthwhile learning experience in its own right. Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements and other External and Internal Reference Points used to inform programme outcomes QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education Chapter A1 (2011) Aston University s Learning and Teaching Strategy Statement (2012-2020) Staff expertise
TAUGHT STAGE Programme Structures and Requirements: Levels, Modules and Credits Module Title Credits Level Module Code Core/ Option Condonable Y/N Approaches to Teaching and 20 7 LEM003 Core Y N Learning English Teaching Practice 20 7 LEM008 Core Y N English Teaching Practice 2 10 7 LEM058 Core Y N Approaches to Course and 20 7 LEM004 Core Y N Materials Design Research 10 7 LRM001 Core Y N Choose two modules as options from: Prerequisite(s) Y/N Lexicogrammar 20 7 LEM051 Option Y N Analysing Written and 20 7 LEM001 Option Y N Spoken Discourse Corpus Linguistics 20 7 LEM009 Option Y N Language Contact and 20 7 LEM057 Option Y N Globalisation Analysing Written and 20 7 LEM050 Option Y Y Spoken Discourse 2 TOTAL 120 DISSERTATION STAGE Programme Structures and Requirements: Levels, Modules and Credits Module Title Credits Level Module Code Core/ Option Condonable Y/N Dissertation 60 7 LRM003 Core Y N TOTAL 60 Prerequisite(s) Y/N
Programme Outcomes, Learning and Teaching and Assessment Strategies A. Knowledge and Understanding On successful completion of their programme students, are expected to have knowledge and understanding of: 1 relevant research traditions, methods and techniques in TESOL; 2 relevant linguistic models and traditions of analysis; 3 varieties of discourse, both spoken and written; 4 issues in second language acquisition; 5 the cultural, organisational and social contexts in which language is taught; 6 materials and methods in teaching; 7 the evaluation of language programmes, language learning and language teaching. 8 A variety of aspects of classroom practice Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated Learning and Teaching interactive seminars lectures presentations pair and group work in seminars guided study individual topic selection tutorials individual research peer observation closed-book exam Assessment Written assignment based on a research project of appropriate scope. Assessed practical component () Closed-book exam Short oral presentation based on an aspect of MA dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic related directly to TESOL 9 The ethical issues in carrying out research in TESOL
B. Intellectual Skills On successful completion of their programme students, are expected to be able to: 1 make reasoned judgements regarding the scale, scope and feasibility of projects; 2 synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary data; 3 use models to analyse data, and data to modify and develop models; 4 autonomously search, evaluate, synthesise and integrate relevant literature for the purposes of developing original positions; 5 relate teaching experience to theoretical and ideological underpinnings; 6 construct coherent and defensible arguments, drawing on a range of appropriate evidence; 7 critically reflect on theoretical issues and their relationship to professional practice. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated Learning and Teaching interactive seminars lectures presentations pair and group work in seminars guided study individual topic selection tutorials individual research peer observation closed-book exam Assessment Written assignment based on a research project of appropriate scope. Assessed practical component () Closed-book exam Short oral presentation based on an aspect of MA dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic related directly to TESOL 8 independently select, develop and use appropriate criteria for evaluation purposes.
C. Professional Skills On successful completion of their programme students, are expected to be able to: 1 formulate, implement and evaluate research projects of an appropriate scale; 2 collect, record and analyse primary data; 3 identify and respond to different learning styles motivations and other contextual factors; 4 use linguistic awareness and analytical skills in order to inform pedagogic practice; 5 evaluate and design a language teaching syllabus; 6 evaluate and design language teaching material. 7 evaluate and design language teaching lessons Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated Learning and Teaching interactive seminars lectures presentations pair and group work in seminars guided study individual topic selection tutorials individual research peer observation closed-book exam Assessment Written assignment based on a research project of appropriate scope. Assessed practical component () Closed-book exam Short oral presentation based on an aspect of MA dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic related directly to TESOL
D. Transferable Skills On successful completion of their programme, students are expected to show: 1 ability to study and carry out research independently, with minimum guidance, and showing full awareness of ethical considerations 2 time and space management skills 3 the ability to formulate and implement personal aims, motivations and plans 4 the ability participate constructively in team work and make appropriate use of group resources 5 the ability to engage confidently in academic and professional communication, both written and oral 6 high level of competence in the skills of information search and retrieval and efficient use of information technology 7 strategic reading and note taking 8 critical and analytical engagement Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated Learning and Teaching interactive seminars lectures presentations pair and group work in seminars guided study individual topic selection tutorials individual research. peer observation closed-book exam Assessment Written assignment based on a research project of appropriate scope. Assessed practical component () Closed-book exam Short oral presentation based on an aspect of MA dissertation of 15,000 words on a topic related directly to TESOL 9 evidence of self-evaluation 10 Ability to give and receive constructive criticism
Entry Requirements Applicants should normally have, or expect to obtain, a good Honours Degree (at least upper 2 nd Class) in English or a related discipline, or equivalent qualification. Non-native speakers of English should have either a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or at least 105 (Internet-based, with a minimum banding of 25 for Writing and Speaking, and minimum 23 for Listening and Reading); or 6.5 in IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, and Listening, and a minimum of Band 7 in Writing), or equivalent. Programme Regulations The programme is governed by the General Regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes. This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the threshold learning outcomes that a student might normally be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. The individual modules included in the programme may differ from those included in this programme specification as our programmes are subject to continuous review. Information on admissions requirements and career opportunities is available in the relevant prospectus. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the appropriate module guides and programme handbook(s) which are available to students on enrolment.