University of Bradford: Postgraduate Programme specification template
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Lifelong Education and DevelopmentUniversity Language CentreProgramme/course title: MA/MEd. TESOL and Applied Linguistics
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / MA/MEd.
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level M]
Programme title: / TESOL and Applied Linguistics
Programme approved / accredited by:
Duration: / One year full-time, up to five years part-time
UCAS code: / Not applicable
Date produced: / April 2008
Last updated : / Revised April 2010 & June 2010
Introduction
The programme has been specifically designed for those graduates who wish to teach English to speakers of other languages, particularly abroad, and those intending to work in administration in that and related fields. Participants are expected to be attracted from a range of graduate backgrounds, each application to be considered individually on its merits.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
The main aims of this programme are to equip you with the knowledge and the tools to enable you to work in a professional capacity in TESOL and to open up other possibilities for further study, research and specialisation through taught modules, project and practical work and research. The dissertation will be a thorough investigation into an aspect of interest and relevance to the individual student, which allows you to demonstrate, amongst other things, theoretical understanding, critical awareness, analytical approaches and an understanding of the present state of knowledge and research in whatever area is chosen.
The programme will
· enable you to study topics essential to TESOL and current trends in those topics.
· provide a flexible programme of study that reflects and utilises areas of tutor experience and expertise.
· enhance and augment the development of skills improving own learning and performance through the provision of a supportive and structured learning environment which promotes sharing of expertise and learning among students.
· develop high-level subject knowledge and understanding which will assist you to work at a more strategic level both in your current jobs and in your future career/s abroad and within the UK.
· prepare you for situations requiring you to influence and take responsibility/accountability for major decision-making particularly with respect to planning, monitoring and evaluating a strategy in information handling, communicating and working with others within your professional field.
· develop critical and analytical problem-solving skills at a strategic level which will assist you in addressing complex and key issues within your employing organisations or with learners, monitoring and evaluating critically as appropriate.
· develop where necessary the ability to diagnose learners’ needs and design learning programmes to meet those needs as required in your employment.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
Advanced knowledge and understanding: demonstrate inter alia
· a critical understanding of a range of theories underpinning the various aspects of the course and their relevance and application to the TESOL specialist
· a practical advanced understanding and application of sound and grammatical systems
· a systematic and coherent knowledge of a range of methodologies in their pedagogic context and their applications and appropriateness to teaching situations and skills.
· a comprehensive understanding of the importance of research into the evaluation of teaching materials, methodologies and principles within a particular environment.
Discipline skills inter alia
· locate and evaluate language teaching resources using a variety of media.
· create own resources in a particular discipline for a particular target audience.
· demonstrate mastery in the application and adaptation of methodologies, materials theories
· demonstrate mastery in research methodology and application of results.
· develop critical assessment and evaluation skills in individual modules.
· show how to take account of linguistic and cultural diversity in the practical design and delivery of programmes in teaching.
· apply practical systems in initial and remedial teaching.
Personal Transferable Skills inter alia
· evidence reflecting on needs and communicating these in writing and orally as appropriate for a diverse audience and range of situations.
· plan, monitor and evaluate a requirement and establishing, formulating and communicating a solution
· demonstrate a solid understanding of the value and importance of thorough research.
Curriculum
The course is offered at the outset as a full-time one year course or a part-time course to be completed normally within five years of initial registration. Distance registration is envisaged at a later date. Four compulsory modules and three optional modules, (or five core modules and two options for students who have less than 2 years teaching experience) plus a dissertation provide an appropriate learning framework for developing advanced specialist and professional skills. All modules are at M Level. The Theory of TESOL Practice is an optional module for students with 2 years teaching experience and a core module for students who have less experience.
The Masters qualification comprises 180 credits; 20/10 credits for each taught module and 50 credits for the dissertation. Details about modules, including specific learning outcomes, are available in the module descriptors.
Postgraduate Certificate
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodLEDL400D / Spoken English / O / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL401D / Grammatical structure of modern English / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL403D / Second Language Acquisition and Teaching Methodologies / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL408D / The Theory of TESOL Practice / C* / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL411D / Language in its Social Context / O / 20 / M / 1/2
Postgraduate Diploma
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodLEDL402D / ICT and Language Teaching / O / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL409D / Discourse Analysis and Stylistics / C / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL406D / Sociolinguistic Perspectives of ELT / O / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL404D / Materials Development / O / 20 / M / 1/2
LEDL410M / Research Skills in Applied Linguistics / C / 10 / M / 1&2
Masters
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodLEDL407Z / Dissertation** / C / 50 / M / 2
* Optional for students with 2 years teaching experience C=Compulsory
* *Subject to Progression O= Optional
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The course is a mixture of lectures, taught classes, seminars, workshops, project and practical work with tutor input and support to enable students to complete assignments and the dissertation. Set texts plus a variety of learning materials and student production of learning and teaching materials are to be employed. These materials are to be complemented by reflective tasks and group exercises. Part time students undertake the course by attendance.
Assessment is seen as an integral part of the learning process. Modes of assessment will vary, but will include a range of assignments including project, materials production and practical work as well as essays and examination. Assessment is embedded in the content of the course and should extend knowledge, experience and skill
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Ord_5_PG_Taught_Awards.html
Details of any exceptions to these regulations in this programme can be found at: weblink.
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.
Applicants must have
· a first degree, normally with a classification of at least second class from an approved University or an equivalent institution or
· a professional qualification and evidence of advanced professional standing and experience in EFL
· normally two years’ recent experience in an appropriate context
Overseas applicants will normally have a minimum of IELTS 6.5 normally with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
Students who have a Trinity LTCL Diploma (awarded after January 2006) or the University of Cambridge DELTA (but not the older DipTEFLA) may join the course with advanced standing. This would mean that they could join the programme after the end of Semester 1. Please note that to take advantage of this advanced standing the qualification providing the advanced standing must be less than eight years old at the point of completion of the MA TESOL.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health Studies and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.
The University Language Centre Resource Centre is open 9.30 – 6.00pm during Semesters 1 and 2 and from 10 to 5pm the rest of the year. The Centre provides a wide range of support including social learning events and language support material.
Student Support and Guidance
Course Team
Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.
Students’ Union
We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.
Careers and Employability
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career Development Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web site www.careers.brad.ac.uk.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting.
This is a vocational programme for students who are already engaged in TESOL. The gaining of this qualification provides the recipient with many more opportunities for employment and career progression. Students are encouraged to take up opportunities to discuss their career prospects with the university careers service.
Learner Development Unit
The Learner Development Unit provides support in all aspects of academic, maths, numeracy and interpersonal skills. A programme of interactive workshops is delivered during both semesters which complements the individual support available from Advisers and the wide range of interactive online materials.
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice to help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where you can discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other issues. For more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or via email:
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the principles of sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and teaching, research activities campus operations and lives of our staff and students. We do not claim to be a beacon for sustainable development but we aspire to become a leading University in this area. The facilities we create for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces, laboratories, IT labs and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitments to sustainable development. Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its success and its inclusion in the programme specification is a clear signal that it is at the forefront of our thinking in programme development, delivery, monitoring and review. For more details see www.bradford.ac.uk/ecoversity/