TESOL (MEd)
Programme Structure
The Master of Education in English Language Teaching is comprised of three core-courses, three option courses and a dissertation, which will total 180 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF).
Core courses
Introduction to Educational and Social Research
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This course is an introduction to educational and social research. The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a fundamental level of research literacy. The aims of the course are:
- introduce students to current concerns in the philosophy and political economy of research
- provide students with experience in reading and critically reviewing research
- prepare students to conduct a research project of appropriate scope
- inform students about the intersections between method, methodology and approaches to enquiry
- ensure that students have the preparation they need for further study of research methods and methodology
- develop understanding of applying enquiry methods to a specific problem
Descriptions of Language and Applications to the Classroom
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This course provides students with an overview of key approaches to describing language. It enables students to consider how these descriptions can be applied to the classroom to provide examples of language forms and functions in use. These descriptions will link with theories of language learning inform teaching. You will learn how to describe language in use and how to adapt those descriptions for pedagogic purposes.
Language Learning and Applications to the Classroom
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This course provides students with an overview of key theories of language learning and the related teaching methodologies. It guides you to relate underlying theory to practical applications. You will critically evaluate the tools/materials and approaches used to teach language skills in a particular context, including ICT.
Optional courses
Options are also available from the MEd Inclusive Education; Research, Policy and Practice and the MEd Children’s Literature and Literacies.
Course Design and Practice in English Language Teaching
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This option provides an opportunity to take your knowledge of language and language learning further in order to understand the implementation of different methodologies. Participants will consider the principles of course design, from needs analysis to assessment and discover how these are put into practice in the classroom by further developing observation skills.
Which English? Sociolinguistics and Language Teaching
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This option provides students with an overview of English in the world, its varieties and domains of use. As an introduction to sociolinguistics, it covers issues of language status, norms, standards, models, attitudes, and intelligibility (intercultural communication) and how they relate to language planning and language policy in different contexts.
Language Proficiency, Assessment and Feedback
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This option provides students with an overview of theories and practices of assessing language proficiency. The relationship between teaching programme and assessment is considered, together with a range of testing techniques. The characteristics of formative and summative testing and feedback are identified to understand their impact on learning.
Modern Educational Thought
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This course explores significant concepts, debates and discourses on theoretical issues that are important for students engaged in the study and practice of education. This course is focused on central questions around the aims and purposes of education and ways in which modern educational thought plays out in professional practice and/or policy contexts. In addressing these questions, we will take as a starting point the claim that the development of rational autonomy, that is the Enlightenment project, is the central aim of education. Thus the course will begin with key readings in the history of ‘liberal’ thinking on education. It will encourage a critical reading of texts in the history of modern educational ideas, taking into account critiques of the liberal tradition from positions that include Marxism, postmodernism, communitarianism and feminism.
Advanced Educational Research
20 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
This course is required for students who are studying for a research orientated Master’s degree. It will look in more depth at the issues of method, methodology and epistemology to which students were exposed in “Introduction to Educational and Social Research” and includes an element of pragmatic research practice.
Dissertation
60 credits at masters level 11 (SCQF)
The dissertation provides the opportunity to investigate further an issue that is relevant to your professional development and teaching context. It is structured to guide you to develop and apply skills to carry out a small scale research project.