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MA in TESOL and Translation Studies

Key information

Duration of programme: Full-time: 12 months, part-time: 2-3 years

Start date(s): October
Distance learning available: Distance learning is not available for this course.  If you are interested in distance learning options please see the MSc in Applied Linguistics.

Intake: Approximately 15 per year

Fees:
UK/EU students: £3,630 (2010 fee)           
International students: £10,700 (2010 fee)

Part-time students pay a pro-rata version of full-time fees. Scholarships available for this programme.

Application & contact:
Apply for this course online

LSS Postgraduate Admissions
Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 3762
Fax: +44 (0) 121 204 3766
Email: lss_pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Programme outline and modules

Students having tutorial on ABS floor of main building
The MA in TESOL and Translation Studies is for those who wish to pursue a career in TESOL and acquire additional expertise in translation theory and practice. 

It is designed for those who have little or no teaching experience and builds on our extensive experience and highly successful distance learning Masters programmes in TESOL.

A distinctive feature of the course is the Teaching in Practice module. This module introduces you to the practical issues involved in TESOL, by giving you the chance to teach classes of EFL/ESL students at a variety of levels.  As a translation student, you will also have the opportunity to work towards Chartered Institute of Linguists' accreditation - highly recognised in the translation sector.

Core modules
Elective Modules

Choice of one of the following modules as option:
The student with the best translation assignment in the module The Translation Profession will be awarded the Amicus TransTec Prize.

Jump to:

Entry requirements
Learning, teaching & assessment
Professional accreditation
Career opportunities

Personal development
Facilities & equipment

Course director
Teaching staff

Entry requirements

  • Normally a good UK Honours Degree (minimum of an upper second class) or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University, plus two references.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a high-level of performance in at least two languages (English should be one of them). It is expected that competence in two languages has been acquired separately before entering the programme.
International students whose native language is not English and have not completed a full degree programme taught in English, will also need to obtain:
  • An overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 7.0  in writing and speaking, and minimum 6.0 in listening and reading.
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Learning, teaching & assessment

Modules are delivered via a variety of innovative and engaging teaching methods. You will take part in interactive seminars, presentations and group work as well as attending lectures and tutorials.  There are also opportunities for classroom teaching and observation, as well as for individual research.

All assessment is by written assignment, except for Teaching in Practice where teaching performance will also be assessed. You will choose your own assignment titles, under the guidance of module tutors.

The taught element of the course is complemented by a substantial piece of research leading to the completion of a dissertation in a student’s particular area of interest.
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Professional accreditation

As the result of an excitng partnership between Aston University and the Chartered Institute of Linguists Educational Trust (IoLET), translation students at Aston are offered the chance to gain a professional, vocational qualification to complement and strengthen their Aston academic qualification. Subject to excellent performance in the Practical Translation module, students can receive a certification from the Institute and, potentially, exemption from paper 1 of the Diploma in Translation examination. With this joint certification, graduates will have better chances entering a competitive job market.
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Career opportunities

Our graduates on the translation studies programmes have gone on to work as translators, technical editors and translation project managers for translation companies and software developers, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Graduates of the TESOL programmes work as teachers in TESOL all over the world.
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Personal development

This course helps you to develop team working skills, presentation and communication skills, as well as research and report writing skills. Your IT skills will also benefit from use of our newly refurbished IT Facilities.

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Facilities & equipment

You will have access to:
  • 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.
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Course director and teaching staff

Professor Christina Schaeffner, Professor of Translation Studies. Research interests include translation of political texts, metaphors and translation, translation training.

Dr Nur Kurtoglu-Hooton - Programme Director of TESOL and Translation. Her main research interests are feedback to teachers on teaching practice, and the use of learning technologies in teaching and she has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of teaching English.

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