Issues In Second Language Acquisitions

This unit provides you with an opportunity to deepen your understanding of issues in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and English Language Teaching (TESOL) and to link your understanding of the practice of TESOL with theoretical issues in second language acquisition research. The unit also acts as preparation for your dissertation research.

Materials Development For Language Teaching And Learning

This unit provides the opportunity to put into practice more theoretical issues related to language teaching and learning covered in other units.

This unit aims to enable you to:

• enhance your in depth-knowledge and develop your experience in evaluating, adapting and creating L2 Materials for various purposes (e.g. language teaching and learning development, classroom practice, research);
• develop your experience and employability as an ELT language teacher or manager, an L2 materials developer as well as a researcher in applied linguistics;
• develop your insight into theoretical and practical issues related to ELT through the process of Materials development;
• gain a better, critical understanding of language teaching and learning issues through the development of different stages in L2 materials;
• enhance your professional experience through self-reflection on achievement and staff development needs;
• apply your understanding of theoretical issues and research to the practice of materials development and through reflection on your own progress.

The Language System And Language Teaching

This unit helps language teachers to develop a strong understanding of the language systems, i.e. phonology, grammar and lexis, and their application to language teaching and learning, hence of the fact that such systems operate within a context.

Language teachers are aware of the influence context and situation exert on the ways language is used, therefore they need to develop ways of presenting the sounds, words and grammar that make up these language systems in meaningful contexts using a range of methodologies and teaching materials. 

More specifically this unit aims to enable you to: 

• develop your understanding of the phonology, morphology and grammar of English, and to demonstrate how these ‘language systems’ might be taught and assessed in the classroom; 
• develop a critical understanding of what makes for effective classroom materials; 
• develop a critical understanding of the uses of needs and error analysis, and to obtain substantial experience carrying out a needs and error analysis of a particular teaching and learning context; 
• develop a critical understanding of the production and delivery of a lesson plan, stating objectives, and evaluating its potential effectiveness in a localised, context-driven approach

Teaching Practice

The MA Applied Linguistics (TESOL) is designed to develop both an understanding of the theoretical issues relating to language teaching, and the practical skills needed by the language teacher. This unit, therefore, aims primarily at developing your experience of the language teaching and learning process and of language classroom practice.

This unit represents an excellent opportunity to enrich your language teaching experience, to prepare lesson materials for classroom use, teach and observe classes, and reflect on the practical aspects of ESOL/ELT work. This unit is, in this sense, essential in order to provide an element of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to your curriculum.

The intention is that the development of teaching skills in this unit will facilitate an understanding of the more theoretical parts of the course, just as the theory informs the practical skill development.

Exploring Research: Concepts And Methods

This unit acts as a foundation to postgraduate study as it deals with methodological issues relating to ethical research in the social sciences.

This unit provides the background knowledge and skills needed for students to design a small-scale research project; to analyse different types of data; and write-up the findings. It refers particularly to issues surrounding data collection within the fields of international business, intercultural communication, international relations, linguistics and language teaching.

The teaching team is made up of very experienced lecturers and researchers whose expertise lies in the areas of ELT and language teaching and learning in general.

The unit aims are:

• To introduce students to different research strategies and methods;
• To enable students to plan and conduct a small research project effectively;
• To demonstrate the importance of certain generic, vocational skills such as good time management, meeting time deadlines, communicating clearly;
• To introduce you to important issues related to conducting research in the social sciences and certain ethical issues in research;
• To gain in-depth knowledge and a critical, deeper understanding of ways of collecting and analysing original and secondary data.

The Methodology Of Language Teaching

This unit is a core element of the course as it relates to more practical based issues related to English Language Teaching.
This unit aims to enable you to:

• develop your knowledge and insight into the principles, theories and practice of different language teaching and learning methodologies;
• enhance your critical understanding and appreciation of a wide range of language teaching methods, approaches and techniques in relation to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research;
• develop your experience of the process of reviewing language teaching and learning materials in order to demonstrate your knowledge of language teaching methodology principles and their possible practical applications;
• develop your creativity, innovative ideas and personal initiative in language teaching.

Dissertation In Applied Linguistics And Elt

A vital aim of your postgraduate course is to enable students to successfully carry out a major piece of research by using their knowledge and skills independently. The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to do this, and represents the culmination of their studies.

The main task is to carry out a significant piece of original research related to your area of study and interests in reference to Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching and Learning.

Dissertation supervision is assigned by the course coordinator, taking into account your chosen area of research. This is done according to the various areas of expertise and research of the teaching team and other members of academic staff.