TESOL leaflet - Ulster University

MA Teaching of
English to Speakers
of Other Languages
(TESOL) with overseas
Teaching Practice
Placement
Faculty of Social Sciences
About the Programme
The MA TESOL programme is the only Master’s level TESOL
programme in the UK to offer an overseas teaching practice
placement. If you wish to gain or improve your practice
of teaching English to speakers of other languages whilst
simultaneously developing your theoretical knowledge of TESOL
then this may be the course for you! It is suitable for those who
have no previous teaching experience or those who want to
progress their teaching skills.
Attendance and Duration
The Master’s is a linked award – if you choose to complete the
qualification on a full-time basis, the Postgraduate Diploma
is 2 semesters long and the Master’s one semester, so you
can complete the whole programme in one calendar year. If
you choose to complete the qualification on a part-time basis,
then the Postgraduate Diploma is two years long (that is, four
semesters) and the Master’s three semesters, so you complete
the whole programme in three years in the part-time mode.
Some full-time students choose to switch pathways after the
Postgraduate Diploma and compete the Master’s dissertation in
part-time mode (that is three semesters); this way the programme
takes one and a half years. Each of the modules on the
programme will be assessed through coursework and once you
have successfully passed the Postgraduate Diploma modules you
can progress to the Master’s, when you complete a dissertation
on a topic of your choice. The Master’s in TESOL is delivered
at the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster in Northern
Ireland www.ulster.ac.uk/campus/coleraine.
Entry Requirements
An Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the
United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from an institution
of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent
standard; and evidence of competence in written and spoken
English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).
Course Features
• The Master’s in TESOL features a six-week teaching practice
in Hungary where you will teach English in either primary or
secondary schools.
• There is a systematic course of Microteaching to help you
develop pedagogical skills in preparation for the Hungarian
teaching practice.
• The module on Research Methods prepares you to undertake
the research for the dissertation.
• There is a mix of home and overseas students and the strong
peer support among students on this course has been the
subject of positive comments by External Examiners.
• You can complete the Master’s in one calendar year.
Course Content
• English Language Teaching Methodology (30 credit points)
This module aims at a synthesis of theory and practice; it
covers principles of classroom management, communicative
competence, humanistic approaches, composition of tests
and examinations, lexical approaches, syllabus design and
discourse analysis as well as promotion of skills for teaching
listening comprehension, reading, speaking and writing.
• Language, Learning and Acquisition (15 credit points)
The module gives students a solid theoretical underpinning
regarding key English language acquisition/learning concepts.
For example, students explore issues related to first and
second language acquisition, language learning processes,
social interaction, intercultural communication, teacher talk and
language transfer. By doing so, the module offers students an
opportunity to apply the theory to their practice and to explore
research critically.
• Knowledge about Language (15 credit points)
The module is designed to develop the grammatical and
phonetic knowledge and pedagogical skills which are
considered essential for teachers of English to speakers
of other languages. The module is about learning English
grammar and phonetics but also learning how to teach them.
It is also about reflecting on what students already know,
developing their meta-knowledge about English language and
becoming a better teacher through that process.
• Research Methods (30 credit points)
The module is designed to equip TESOL trainees with
the key research skills required to further knowledge and
understanding of their own chosen professional field. With the
aid of independent learning materials and group workshops,
students will learn how to begin the research process in
preparation for their Master’s dissertation studies.
• Teaching Practice (30 credit points)
Full-time trainees go to teach in Gyor, Hungary, for six weeks,
usually departing in mid-February and returning in early
April. Part-time students go to Gyor for three weeks in year
one of the programme and complete three weeks Teaching
Practice in Northern Ireland in year two. Gyor is a beautiful
central European city located midway between Budapest and
Vienna. Our students teach in primary or secondary schools
and are supported by Hungarian host teachers and staff of
the University who stay in Gyor for that purpose. The module
gives an authentic opportunity to teach English to non-native
speakers of the language.
Students will be expected to pay for their own accommodation
and food when abroad; the University helps organise
accommodation and pays for flights.
• MA Dissertation in TESOL (60 credit points)
The MA is achieved by preparation of a dissertation up to
18,000 words on a subject of the student’s choice which
normally incorporates an element of original classroom based
research.
What are the Fees?
To Apply:
Go to the University’s homepage, www.ulster.ac.uk, click on the
quick link to postgraduate taught courses then ‘T’ for TESOL, then
‘apply for this course’.
More Information is available from:
• Course Director: Barbara Skinner, b.skinner@ulster.ac.uk or
Contact Mrs Angela Graham,
Faculty Office
University of Ulster
Coleraine campus
Cromore Road
Coleraine BT52 1SA
Telephone: +44 (0)28 7032 4595
Email: ad.graham@ulster.ac.uk
The successful completion of the PG Diploma/Masters in TESOL
does not offer or guarantee you a place on a PGCE Programme
but the real classroom experience which you gain may help in any
future PGCE application/interview. In addition, having gained a
PG Diploma/Masters in TESOL is likely to be looked on favourably
by employers, as an increasing number of schools have pupils
with EAL (English as an Additional Language).
Comments by the external examiner
The tuition fees for the linked PGD/MA are: £4,020 (£2,765 for the
PGD and £1,255 for the MA). Fees can be paid in instalments.
‘The main strength of the course is the teaching practice in
Hungary. This provides an invaluable experience for both the
new teachers as well as the experienced teachers….I was also
particularly impressed by the way in which the experience in
Hungary was integrated into other modules of the course.’
Please note some students, particularly those from the Republic
of Ireland, may be eligible for a grant towards fees.
‘The students were highly complimentary about the course and
commended the team spirit that had been generated, as well as
the commitment of the teaching staff.’
Comments from students
‘The teaching practice course in Hungary is organised extremely
well, and links between the various schools there and the
University are strong and mutually beneficial’.
‘We are all aware of the fact that it is people who make up
Departments within a University. I am in no doubt that all students
stand to benefit from the high standard that has already been set.
Sincere thanks to all involved in making the course of studies so
enjoyable’.
One of the schools in Gyor - Czuczor Gergely Bencés Gimnázium
Faculty of Social Sciences
www.ulster.ac.uk/socialsciences
‘I’m in my fourth year working as a lecturer at Kanda University
of international Studies in Chiba Japan. It’s an amazing job which
hired me right after I graduated. We get over three months holiday
per year and there are lots of opportunities for professional
development. There are over 60 English lecturers here so that
adds to the sense of community and the students are angels.
During the interview process my boss was impressed by the
placement in Hungary that you sent us on! They accepted me
while I was still finishing off my Thesis. Thanks so much for
looking after us so well Barbara – That was a really special year’.
The information provided in this leaflet is correct at the time of going to press but the
courses are subject to continuing development and the University reserves the right to
make changes at any time, before or after a candidate’s admission. As much notice as
possible will be given of such changes 10/04/2013.