Our MA in TESOL is a Masters programme designed for those who would like to obtain a substantial postgraduate qualification in the field of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) early in their professional lives and who have little or no teaching experience. It builds on our extensive experience and our highly successful
distance learning Masters programmes in TESOL.
The course aims to develop your professional expertise and theoretical knowledge of TESOL and to familiarise you with the various literatures and key issues in the field.
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.
Core modules
The programme comprises taught modules and a dissertation:
- Teaching in Practice
- Approaches to Teaching and Learning
- Approaches to Course and Materials Design
- Analysing Written and Spoken Discourse
- Investigating Lexis and Grammar
- Research Methods
- Dissertation - based on supervised study and research on a chosen topic.
- Normally a good UK Honours Degree (minimum of an upper second class) in English or a related discipline or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University, plus two references.
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.
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.
Our TESOL graduates work as teachers in TESOL all over the world.
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.
Dr Nur Kurtoglu-Hooton has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of teaching English.
She has been working at Aston University since 1994, managing, developing, and teaching on a range of programmes that have included EAP, communication skills, and teacher education programmes both on-campus and distance learning. She is programme director of MA in TESOL Studies and MA in TESOL and Translation, and teaches Course and Materials Design on the distance learning MSc in TESOL. Her main research interests are feedback to teachers on teaching practice, and the use of learning technologies in teaching.
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