This MA programme has been designed for teachers who have at least two years teaching experience. It can be taken as a one year, full-time programme or as a two-year part-time programme. Our students are normally graduates, although in rare cases other qualifications may be taken into account.

The MA consists of a taught course followed by a dissertation. Its aim is to provide an understanding of the theoretical foundations of language teaching and to explore the relationship between theory and different aspects of language teaching in order to bring about improvements in practice. Feedback from students, external examiners and external bodies consistently rates this programme as excellent.

This internationally recognised programme attracts qualified, trained and experienced teachers from a variety of professional backgrounds and from a variety of countries. As well as experienced teachers, we attract teacher trainers, materials writers, university lecturers, and Ministries of Education staff.

Successful applicants will normally have a good undegraduate degree or the equivalent in the field of English, language study and/or education. They will have a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience. International students need to have an English language score of 6.5 on the IELTS test (normally with at least 6.5 in the Reading and Writing and components), or the equivalent on a test approved by the UK Border Agency.

For those whose scores fall very slightly below the required level when they apply, studying on our pre-sessional course in English language and study skills may be deemed satisfactory.

The programme (2010-11 onwards)

 Term One (October to December)

• Issues and Research in English Language Teaching (15 credits)
• Second Language Acquisition and Classroom Language Learning (15 credits)
• Lexis and Grammar (10 credits)
• Spoken English (10 credits)
• Text and Discourse Analysis (10 credits)

Term Two (January to March)

• Professional Practice (English Language Teaching) (30 credits)
• Research Methodology (15 credits)

 And two of the following* (15 credits each):

• English as an International Language
• English for Young Learners
• ICT in ELT
• Language Testing
• Literature and Drama in ELT
• Professional and Academic Discourse
• Teacher Training and Development
• The Management of Educational Institutions

* A limit may be put on numbers taking some additional modules, and their availability in any particular year may be subject to change.

 Term Three (April onwards)

• Research Methodology workshops leading to a
• Dissertation (45 credits) on a topic related to English language teaching

The nature of the work

Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of underlying principles of language teaching and of ways in which these might be applied in the solution of particular ELT problems.

The course is taught by means of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In addition, there is much guided reading and a number of written assignments in the form of long essays and portfolios of materials. Students are introduced to research methodology which will assist them in carrying out the research for the dissertation with the support of a supervisor.

Assessment

Assessment is by a written assignment for each module followed plus a final dissertation. The written assignments are 3,000 words in length, apart from the assignments for Grammar of English, Spoken English and Text and Discourse Analysis, which are 2,000 words each, and the assignment on the Professional Practice course, which is 6,000 words. The final dissertation is 15,000 words in length. Students must normally pass in each component, thus gaining a total of 180 credits, to be awarded the degree. The MA can be awarded with Distinction.

Modular Structure

The course is organised on a modular basis.

The whole course may be taken together within one academic year, beginning in October. Alternatively, students may complete the work in termly sections in different academic years but within a maximum of four years.

More information, for those thinking of applying to the MA in ELT programme 

Admissions Tutor: Steve Mann Steve.Mann@warwick.ac.uk

Course Tutor: Annamaria Pinter Annamaria.Pinter@warwick.ac.uk

Course Tutor: Sue Wharton S.M.Wharton@warwick.ac.uk