English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics MA

The aim of the module is to give you an in-depth understanding of the theories of second language acquisition and illustrate their links to approaches and methods of language teaching which they inform. The theories examined will look at second language acquisition and learning from linguistic, psychological and sociological perspectives. The approach will be largely thematic when examining language learning theories, and both historical and thematic when examining teaching methodologies. Links will be drawn between the two parts, with a view to analysing whether and to what extent the learners’ particular background, situation and circumstances should or do influence the teaching approaches adopted. Innovative approaches will be explored and you will engage with blended and online learning and design tasks based on artefacts viewed during a visit to a museum².

Compulsory

This module aims to enable you to evaluate and develop in an informed way materials used for English language teaching. You will be taken through the materials development process and introduced to different teaching and learning approaches and learner needs. The module provides an overview of factors which impact the development of materials (both in hard copy and online). The module also considers language assessment and independent learning materials. You will have the opportunity to discuss issues relating to materials development, recommend solutions to problems, and practise developing your own materials.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to give you a pedagogical understanding of the grammar and phonology of English, and the issues that non-native speakers of English have in acquiring a working knowledge of these systems. The module will give you the metalanguage required to describe these systems and the ability to compare and contrast the systems in English with another language. This should enable you to analyse non-native texts produced by students of English from a variety of teaching contexts for errors and non-native aspects with a view to suggesting appropriate pedagogic interventions. Some consideration will be given to what aspects of grammar and phonology can be taught and what cannot, in addition to how this teaching can be realised. The approach will draw on several traditions of grammatical and phonological analysis including the use of the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).

Compulsory

This module aims to introduce you to the theory and practice of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) with particular reference to CALL for English Language Teaching (ELT). You will develop a critical awareness of current developments into new and emerging technologies e.g. social networking software and Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) - and in doing so develop your digital fluency.

As part of the assessment, you will design a digital artefact. You will reflect on its design and discuss the affordances of the available technology applied to specific teaching and learning contexts, including your own, if applicable.

Compulsory

This practical module aims to introduce you to the teaching, learning and assessment of English in a variety of settings. You will engage in peer reviews/observations of teaching and microteaching sessions. You will reflect on the principles underpinning pedagogic planning, practise session-plan design, deliver your teaching plan and evaluate it after your taught session. You will learn how to support learners both face-to-face and online, and to give effective and consistent feedback. You will practise evaluating and writing marking schemes/criteria and marking real scripts for assessed tasks for English in Higher Education. 

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to examine and evaluate the links between research and practice in the teaching of Business English. You will have the opportunity to analyse written and spoken business discourse in order to investigate the intrinsic features of Business English. Other key aspects of business communication will be discussed including intercultural competence. There will also be opportunities to critically evaluate current Business English teaching materials and to consider how research can inform Business English materials development.

Compulsory

This module aims to examine how literature can support the teaching of the English language. It provides suggestions for fostering language development and communicative competence by integrating literature into the English language classroom. You will discuss the existing body of theoretical research as well as analyse concepts and issues related to the teaching of literature and to the teaching of language through literature.

Compulsory

This module provides a sound basis to support you in the undertaking of a substantial research project appropriate to master’s level, in terms of the identification of a topic and the development of an appropriate research strategy for its completion. You will seek to learn how to retrieve, annotate and discuss appropriate sources and how to collect, classify and analyse primary and secondary data. The module will also cover how to adhere to academic writing standards and ethics requirements and how to avoid plagiarism. As well as researching, discussing and critically analysing methodological approaches in applied linguistics, you will also practise research and data collection techniques with dedicated research tools (e.g. corpus analysis tools) and tailor-made resources.

Compulsory

This module supports you in the undertaking of a substantial research project appropriate to master’s level. You will be required to develop skills of independent learning and time management and demonstrate the ability to engage critically with your chosen dissertation topic. You will be expected to produce an original piece of extended writing with the support of your allocated supervisor.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to discuss the key principles underlying the management of the teaching and learning process, including language classroom management and language course management. You will study issues relating to learner language and teacher language and investigate how the language used by a teacher can affect learners’ behaviour. The module will also help you to understand how to manage an ELT classroom in various contexts and with learners of different abilities.

It will provide you with class management tips and techniques and support your professional development as an ELT teacher. The module can also enable you to obtain a professional qualification: the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) in Managing the Learning Process, awarded by the University of Cambridge¹. The TKT is a highly respected qualification recognised in over 60 countries as proof of teaching knowledge.

Compulsory