MA in TESOL 2015/16

Course details

The MA in TESOL is designed for English language professionals who have a minimum of two years relevant experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) or a related area.

As a professional masters, it is aimed mainly at teachers who wish to develop their knowledge and competence with a view to career enhancement in TESOL as directors of study, advisers/inspectors, managers, course designers or teacher educators.

The aims of the MA in TESOL are to:

• further students' ability to teach and support teaching in a wide range of ESOL contexts both national and international
• provide enhanced knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of global developments in TESOL
• deepen participants' capacity to reflect critically on their thinking and practice with a view to self-managing their professional and academic development
• develop students' ability to engage in research in TESOL through the investigation of a chosen specialist field

Admission requirements

Applicants should hold a primary degree (at least 2nd class honours or equivalent, in any discipline). Have an appropriate initial training qualification in TESOL, and have a minimum of two years relevant teaching experience in Ireland or overseas.

The number of places on the course is strictly limited and selection is based on written application and interview. Applicants whose first language is not English should have an overall band of 7.0 in IELTS (with a 7.0 in listening and writing components, and no band score less than 6.5 in speaking and reading components).

Course components

The course is pided into nine modules across three semesters. In Semester II students will have the opportunity to pick an option module from a range of modules offered by the ALC or the wider university, two examples are included below. The components of the course include:

• a study component comprising lectures, workshops and feedback sessions
• a practical component comprising teaching practice and fieldwork

Semester I - Modules

• Methodology
• Language Learning & Materials
• Understanding Discourse
• Researching English

Semester II - Modules

• Teacher in a Global Context
• Researching TESOL
• Assessment (Language Learning)
• Teaching English for Academic Purposes
• Teaching Practice

Semester III

• TESOL - Minor Thesis