Our inter-related Masters programmes for experienced TESOL practitioners
Focusing on the c21 needs of TESOL practitioners — Both of our main Masters programmes (see below) have course units in TESOL methodology and educational technology. Most of us now live in a rapidly changing technologised world and the twenty-first century TESOL professional needs to function credibly in that world. We also work in a globalised world of intercultural interactions and the TESOL professional needs to operate with awareness and sensitivity in both human and linguistic terms. We address such technological, linguistic and human issues directly in terms of practical consequences for the language teacher.
Reflective practitioners — Whether you study on-site or in-context (see below), you will not be asked to learn theories in order to apply them. Instead, you will be encouraged and helped to explore the experience that you have gathered, to understand it from new perspectives, and to articulate that new understanding in ways that take you forward, individually and collegially, with regard to both your thinking and your actions, as you prepare to take on enhanced responsibilities.
Our Main Masters Programmes — We offer two main Masters programmes:
- the Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (i.e MA TESOL)
- the Masters in Educational Technology and TESOL (i.e MA EdTech & TESOL).
The latter has its own drop-down menu above, i.e. separate from this one which focuses primarily on the MA TESOL.
Note that we are also a co-provider (with the Department of Linguistics) of the Masters in Applied Linguistics (i.e. MA AppLing), and we are soon likely to be a contributor (of an intercultural education pathway) to a Masters in Intercultural Communication (i.e. MA IC).
MA TESOL Pathways (specialisation options) — To complicate things slightly, as of September 2010, the MA TESOL has the following pathways:
- MA TESOL (Educational Technology)
- MA TESOL (Intercultural Education)
- MA TESOL (Teacher Education)
More details about any of the above possibilities on request from: richard.fay@manchester.ac.uk
Study Modes — Our two main Masters programmes are both offered in two study modes:
- in-context (i.e. where participants remain in their local contexts and study part-time with Manchester via distance/elearning –where our technological expertise, long experience of distance education, and the back-up of the University’s John Ryland library superb collection of e-resources combine to provide learning support second to none );
- on-site (i.e. where participants study face-to-face in Manchester- mostly as full-time students but sometimes as part-timers).
The on-site programmes take twelve months’ full-time study. Part-time on-site arrangements are also available, spreading the programme out over usually three years. Participants studying in-context distant from Manchester also usually take three years to complete the programmes.
Modular structure — Both the MA TESOL and MA EdTech & TESOL programmes are made up of modular course units allowing participants to build their degree around their own preferred interests.
Course units — Participants need to select six single course units (15 credits each). These will change as the programmes develop, but currently comprise:
- Beyond methods, approaches and techniques
- Language learning & technology
- Psychology of language learning
- Multimedia design and development
- Language education as intercultural practice
- Teaching & learning online
- Explorations in language
- Blended learning in a digital age
- The education of language teachers
See link at foot of this page for more information on these course units.
The research component — Participants also complete a double-unit in Developing Researcher Competence (30 credits), which provides them with skills for continuing development as well as helping them prepare the groundwork – usually by means of a small-scale initial study – for their dissertation. Finally, participants complete a research-based dissertation in their area of specialisation (60 credits).
Leading to Doctoral study — Appropriately successful MA participant are encouraged to consider doctoral study, either immediately or after a further period of professional activity. Again, on-site, part-time and in-context possibilities are available for suitable candidates who wish to research areas of interest agreed with an LTE supervisor. If you are interested in applying you will need to produce a research proposal outline and we have created some guidance on how to do this. Take a look also at the following sister blog: ‘The Doctoral Community at LTE’.
Contact details — If you would like more information about the MA TESOL, or MA Educational Technology & TESOL, please contact:
The Postgraduate Admissions Office, School of Education, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
tel +44 (0) 161 275 3463 / fax +44 (0) 161 275 3528
email pg-education@manchester.ac.uk
website www.education.manchester.ac.uk
General information about the course can be found at: www.education.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses
Apply online www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply
