Contents

Spring Term courses

Principles and Practice in ELT (core course)
This course focuses on the development of ELT from the traditional Grammar-Translation Method to the Communicative Approach, including PPP and its alternatives, such as Content-based Teaching and Task-based Learning. Particular attention is given to the teaching of language skills, grammar and vocabulary, and testing and evaluation. Individual learning styles, as well as cross-cultural perspectives and recent research are investigated. The course is assessed by a 5,000 word essay.

Students also choose one of the four optional courses below.

Teaching Young Learners (tutor: Jennifer Book)
This course will examine the difference in approach between teaching adults and teaching children, as well as the differences between teaching young learners below the age of 12 and teenagers. The importance of content-based teaching and task-based learning, educating the whole child, bilingualism, and second language learning and literacy will be considered and factors such as age, creativity, motivation, learning difficulties and discipline will be explored. Different young learner materials will be analysed and evaluated as will different methods of assessment. The course will be assessed through a portfolio of materials.

Using Technology in the ELT Classroom (tutor: Andrew Blair)
The course aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and practical use of Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) in second language teaching and learning. It focuses on analysing and responding to learners' needs using a specific technology related to language teaching methodology and pedagogical theory, where the language learning need takes priority over the technology. Students will be expected to critically evaluate materials and approaches where ICTs can play a role in the classroom or other language learning situations. No technical expertise is required before the start of the course. The course is assessed by a 5,000 word essay.

ELT Management (tutor: Jeremy Page)
This course examines the main skills involved in managing an ELT operation, including strategic planning, managing educational change and costing and budget setting. Students will be provided with a theoretical framework for key management issues and will be expected to write a project at the end of the course. The course is intended both for academic managers and those intending to move from an academic into a managerial position. The course is assessed by a portfolio.

Discourse and Communication Analysis (Applied Linguistics)
The course focuses on the study of discourse in both its written and spoken forms. The course begins with an introduction to discourse analysis and the construction of discourse in society. Various approaches to the analysis of discourse are introduced. These approaches are put into context, and to use in the analysis of the discourse of particular domains and contexts, such as the language of advertising, politics, law, education, etc. The course equips students with the techniques of discourse analysis. Students design and carry out projects involving discourse analysis of patterns according to the type of communicative event and context of conversation or text. The course is assessed bya 5,000 word essay.

Summer Term

Practical Teaching Techniques and Observation (core course) (tutor: Jennifer Book)
This practical course explores and critically evaluates teaching methodology and classroom techniques and includes classroom observation of experienced teachers. Students will have the chance to observe and discuss a range of different teaching styles and modes, and supervised and peer teaching practice will enable the students to develop their teaching skills as well as their understanding of the different teaching methodologies and techniques. The course is assessed through observed teaching practice and the keeping of a reflective learning/teaching journal.

During the summer term students also work under supervision on a dissertation of up to 10,000 words on a topic they choose and agree with their supervisor. Part-time students are expected to begin background reading for the dissertation in their first summer term.

Assessment

The core courses of the International MA are assessed by an unseen exam, and two 5,000 word essays (see individual courses above for more details and modes of assessment for the optional courses), and a 10,000 word dissertation which is submitted at the end of the summer vacation.