Certificate in Advanced Studies in English Language Teaching (ELT)

Programme outline and modules

The programme will enable participants to acquire a better understanding of both the theory and practice of English Language Teaching. Specifically, it aims to:

• Promote the progressive development of practical teaching skills through observed lessons and feedback

• Enable participants to reflect on and evaluate their own approach to teaching

• Familiarise participants with key issues and theories in ELT

• Enable participants to link theory and practice in the context of their own teaching

The programme consists of 2 modules both of which must be completed in order to be awarded a certificate:

• Practical Approaches to Teaching and Learning: will enable participants to select appropriate teaching activities and materials and to gain a better understanding of the principles underlying their own teaching.

• Theorising Practice: participants will extend their knowledge of key areas in ELT, develop critical awareness of current research and conduct research on an aspect of their own teaching context. 

The course materials will cover the following areas:Language Description; Classroom management; Methodology; Selection and Evaluation of Materials; Error Analysis; Text and Discourse Analysis; Spoken Interaction; Testing and Evaluation; Course and Syllabus Design; Phonology; Second language Acquisition.

Jump to:

Entry requirements

First degree (any subject) and 1 year’s full-time teaching experience in any field

OR

If you do not have a first degree, the equivalent of 2 years’ full-time teaching experience.

Non-native speakers of English should have either a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or at least 100 (Internet-based, with a minimum banding of 20 for Writing, Listening and Reading, and 22 for Speaking); or 6.5 in IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component), or equivalent.

Participants need to be practising teachers with access to an EFL/ESOL class.

Learning, teaching & assessment

Teaching is via distance learning course materials, additional required reading, assignment tasks and virtual learning environment discussion groups.

Assessment for Module 1 is via the submission of 3 audio/video-recorded lessons and short written tasks, and for Module 2 a longer written assignment.

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the course gains 20 credits towards the MSc in TESOL.

Personal development

The course will help to develop pedagogical skills, as well as academic writing and research skills.

Facilities & equipment

• Our Virtual Learning Environment – Blackboard – to support your studies, including Blackboard discussion groups

• The University Library, including over 25,000 books and a wide range of electronic journals.  The library has special provision in place to help part time and distance learning students access their resources: www.aston.ac.uk/lis/studentinfo/parttime

• University wide facilities such as the Careers Service, Students’ Advice Centre, Students’ Jobshop, Counselling Service, Sports Facilities, and Chaplaincy.

Course director

Teaching staff