School of Education
Teaching of English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)
TEACHING OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS
MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
This programme offers a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at a level appropriate to graduates with a sound academic training. The programme is taught by staff in the Centre for English Language Teaching, which is part of the School of Education.
TESOL and Applied Linguistics provides an advanced training and professional qualification for people presently engaged in any area of the teaching of English as a foreign or second language. It also offers professional development to people new to TESOL who are seeking a career change.
On completion, you should possess the knowledge and practical classroom skills to be a confident, critically reflective and enterprising teacher.
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
You will take eight modules from the following list, those marked * are compulsory for students with less than two years’ full-time English language teaching experience in a formal classroom setting. Those marked ** are requirements of this programme. Students entering the programme with a recent Cambridge DELTA or Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma can apply for accreditation for two of the four pedagogic modules:
Autumn: Semester One
Methodology I*: Presents an overview of current theory and practice in the teaching of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Classroom Observation*: Develops critical awareness and theoretical understanding of current classroom practice through observation of experienced English language teachers
Language Learning Theory and Research**: Gives an overview of the research necessary for understanding the processes involved in learning a second language, and introduces research methods relevant to the dissertation
Description of Modern English**: Explores English grammar and use with reference to the needs of learners and teachers
Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Concepts and Materials: Comprises a rationale for using CALL; background theory and research on how computers process text, images and sound; consideration of how to choose and exploit general purpose software for EFL purposes
Technologies in the 21st Century Classroom,: Provides an opportunity for students to create multimedia materials using authoring programs for language teaching and learning
Spring: Semester Two
Methodology II*: Provides an overview of current theory and practice in the teaching of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
Microteaching*: Develops critical awareness and theoretical understanding of current classroom practice through planning, teaching and reflection on lessons taught to peers
The ELT Curriculum: The first part of this module provides an overview of the principles and practice of designing a curriculum and tasks for English Language teaching and learning; the second part focuses on testing and curriculum evaluation
Discourse Analysis**: Introduces different approaches and techniques for exploring and analysing spoken and written texts
Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching and Research**: Explores the ways in which computerised collections of spoken and written texts can be analysed and used in language teaching and research
Internet Applications in Language Teaching: Addresses the use of virtual learning environments, multimedia and web technologies in collaborative language learning
Teaching English to Young Learners: Focuses on teaching English to primary-aged children and teenagers
The Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL and Applied Linguistics is awarded on the successful completion of four coursework modules. The Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL and Applied Linguistics is awarded on successful completion of eight coursework modules. The MSc in TESOL and Applied Linguistics is awarded upon successful completion of eight coursework modules plus a dissertation of 15,000 words.
DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT
Delivery of modules is carried out mainly through seminars and workshops. Practical teaching skills are developed through classroom observation and videoed peer teaching sessions. Learning and professional development is facilitated by regular guided group work tasks. Progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the MSc, the dissertation.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
English is regarded as the most widely spoken language in the world and a qualification in TESOL and Applied Linguistics can open up the opportunity of an English Language Teaching career, or, in the case of experienced teachers, can provide access to promoted posts and management positions within English Language Teaching. On completion of the MSc in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, overseas graduates will be well prepared to sit all three modules of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations TKT.
Recent graduates have taken up posts overseas or in the field of ESOL in the UK. For more experienced teachers, the qualification has provided access to positions with the British Council or in the tertiary sector.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill), or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet) with a TWE of at least 4.
RAE RATING
The School of Education was ranked number 1 in Scotland in the Research Assessment Exercise.
FUNDING
Information on possible sources of funding can be found here: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance
MODES OF STUDY
Full-time: one year
Part-time: two years
PROGRAMME START DATE
Full-time and part-time: September
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Anne Lawrie
PROGRAMME CONTACT
Tracy Hoggan
CELT Secretary
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 467934
Fax: +44 (0) 1786 466131
Email: celt@stir.ac.uk
Web: www.celt.stir.ac.uk