MA in English Language Teaching (with a Specialism in English for Specific Purposes)
This MA is a twelve month, full-time, post-experience programme of study. However, it can also be taken as a part-time programme over two years. It consists of a taught course followed by a dissertation. The aim of the degree is to explore the relationship between theory and practice in language teaching and also to introduce you to important practice and research in English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The ESP specialism of this MA is suitable for those interested in either English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) or English Academic Purposes (EAP).
This MA, with its specialism in ESP, is now one of the only MA programmes of its type in the UK. The emphasis is on exploring the relationship between theory and practice in your own areas of interest and your future teaching context (previous or future). The programme has been designed for qualified and experienced teachers from a variety of professional backgrounds. The degree is particularly suitable for teachers at secondary and tertiary levels and for company trainers in overseas organisations and institutions, both public and private.
If you would like to discuss your suitability for this programme or if you want to clarify any aspect of the MA, please contact Dr Steve Mann at The Centre for Applied Linguistics.
ESP Links (A list of links for ESP Practitioners)
Entry requirements
Successful applicants will normally have a good undergraduate 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 me 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 and Academic Discourse (15 credits)
- Professional Practice (English for Specific Purposes) (30 credits)
- Research Methodology (15 credits)
And one 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
- 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 for specific purposes
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 and ESP problems.
The course is taught by means of lectures, seminars and workshops. 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 with a maximum of four years.
