Teaching English to Young Learners – (M.A.)

Contents

Programme Outline and Content

The programme is taught by way of an Intensive Module at the start of each of the 2 years of study followed by four multimedia self study modules in each year.

These modules have been specially written and developed for this programme by the department TEYL specialists. They contain a mixture of materials including: module outlines, papers, notes and articles, videoed interviews, video presentations, video examples of work in action in classrooms, audio taped interviews, professional reflection activities and assignment outlines. The modules are supported by books, e-mail and module tutorials with a supervisor. Each study module lasts approximately three months, allowing for study, reflection, research, writing time and mailing time. Within each module, participants can focus on different learner age groups.

Intensive Module

At the beginning of each year of study there is a compulsory Intensive Module, in which students prepare the year of study with their supervisors and colleagues.

The Intensive Module can either be taken as a face to face course, in November (Singapore), July (Norway) or August (Switzerland), or as an online course, in October or March.

A. Face to face

Face to face Intensive Modules are 7 days long. Students must travel to the location of the course.

Singapore: The Intensive Module will be from 8 December 2012.

Students will be provided with a list of accommodation options, at their request, offering a range of options to suit different budgets and requirements.

Norway: The Intensive Module will be from 2 July 2012.

Students will be provided with a list of accommodation options, at their request, offering a range of options to suit different budgets and requirements.

Switzerland: The Intensive Module will be from 13 August 2012.

Students will be provided with a list of accommodation options, at their request, offering a range of options to suit different budgets and requirements.

In-country delivery of the programme in other countries: Groups of at least ten participants in any one country could also have the programme tailor-made for their calendar and may have the Intensive Modules delivered in that country. Details are available from the MA TEYL Programme Administrator.

B. Online

The online Intensive Module is 2 weeks long, but there is no requirement to travel, as students can study from anywhere.

The online Intensive Module sessions are available for approximately 2 weeks, but students can work at times suitable to them within this period. Students interact with tutors and other colleagues in their cohort during this Intensive Module. The Online Intensive Module runs from 8 October 2012 and from 4 March 2013.

Intensive Introductory Module: In Year One of the MA in TEYL Programme, the Intensive Module will focus on working as a distance student, studying at a distance, study and writing skills as preparation for the programme of study, modules and assignment writing covered in the first year of the programme.

Intensive Mid-Course Module: In Year Two of the MA in TEYL Programme, the Intensive Module will concentrate on preparation for the individual student Action Research Projects and the other three modules studied during the final year of the MA in TEYL Programme.

All eight self-study modules have a mixture of theory and practice, which can be applied directly to Teaching English to Young Learners. The final module , which also has a summarising and review function, is designed for participants to apply a variety of skills and expertise gained throughout the whole programme.

The Eight Self-Study Modules

Module One

Understanding How Young Learners Learn, How Young Learners Learn Languages, A Historical Overview of ELT and TEYL

Module Two

An Overview of Approaches and Methods in ELT, Current Approaches to Teaching English to Young Learners

Module Three

Curriculum in Practice: language learning in the classroom, Curriculum in Practice: classroom investigation

Module Four

Assessing and Evaluating YL Language Teaching and Learning

Module Five

Small and Large Scale Syllabus Design

Module Six

Teaching Materials - Evaluation, Assessment, Creation, Design and Application

Module Seven

Professional Development - The Roles of the TEYL Professional and Support Frameworks

Module Eight

The design and carrying out of a small-scale Action Research

Assessment: Work is assessed by four marked assignments in the first year, and by three marked assignments and a marked Action Research project in the second year. Assignments 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, will be approximately 3500-4500 words in length. Assignments 4 and 8 are slightly different in nature; they represent the cumulative and summative assessment for the relevant block of four modules in each year of study. Because of this they will be up to 5500 words in length. These latter two modules, in particular, require participants to apply all the skills and expertise acquired during that year of study.

Supervision

Each student will be assigned a supervisor who will maintain regular contact with them throughout the programme. During the Preparatory Course, students will meet with their supervisor, either face to face or online, and spend some time discussing their professional interests in TEYL and their study needs.

What does the programme involve?

The programme involves attendance (either face-to-face or online) at two intensive modules, one at the beginning of each of the two years of study (for details of these see above). Thereafter, the course is based on self-study modules, which the student follows in their own time, working to modular deadlines throughout the study year.

Students will need to devote approximately 13-18 hours study time each week for each module throughout the course. Access to a classroom for investigation purposes is desirable, particularly in the second year of the course when the student will carry out a small-scale action research project.

What are the advantages of the University of York ´s MA in TEYL?

This was the first MA in TEYL to be offered by distance in a British university and, because of our expertise in this field, is now a highly regarded programme leading to this important TEYL qualification.

Special features of the programme are:

* Modules cover theory, practice, Action Research and professional development.
* All modules in this MA focus on the Young Learner up to 16 years of age.
* There is flexibility of study - students study when they want to, around their full-time professional commitments, and not to a set timetable.
* Supervision is by the most suitable means for each participant e-mail, fax etc.
* There is more opportunity to 'trial' ideas immediately in professional practice as you study each module.
* There is less professional and personal disruption as the programme fits around your work diary.