Course description
Course Description
This MA prepares students to become CALL specialists in an EFTL/TESOL work environment. It provide sound theoretical foundations for CALL as an area of applied linguistics for language teaching, practical experience of locating and evaluating existing CALL resources and, using basic tools, some experience in the creation of CALL tasks and materials.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING: THEORY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Compulsory: CORPORA IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
Compulsory: FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING
Compulsory: FOUNDATIONS OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
Compulsory: FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS
Compulsory: MATERIALS DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Core: DISSERTATION: MA
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Students will be familiar with the history and current state of computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
A2 : Students will be familiar with the basic arguments in favour of, and against, using CALL in the language classroom.
A3 : Students will be able to assess strengths and limitations of current CALL research.
A4 : Students will be able to discuss the process of research design, techniques employed in current research papers and how those techniques relate to the theoretical and methodological rationale of a particular project.
A5 : Students will be able to analyse the grammatical structures of English (sound, word, sentence) for pedagogical purposes.
A6 : Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which ELT materials can be adapted and used to meet learner's needs
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminars
Assessment Methods
1 X 3000 word essay or equivalent per module
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Students will be able to relate CALL to current ideas about language learning, and teaching.
B2 : Students will be able to participate in discussions on the relevance of CALL and corpus linguistics in language teaching.
B3 : Students will be able to discuss strengths and limitations of current CALL research.
B4 : Students will be able to discuss/debate current issues in learner autonomy.
B5 : Students will be able to identify and formulate suitable research questions to problematize CALL and related areas.
B6 : Students will be able to reflect on issues relating to materials design and development.
B7 : Students will be able to understand and identify suitable research methodologies and paradigms commonly employed in Applied Linguistics / TESOL.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminars
Assessment Methods
1 X 3000 word essay or equivalent per module
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to use CALL resources, including corpus-based materials in diverse teaching situations.
C2 : Students will be able to evaluate materials to suit a wide range of teaching contexts.
C3 : Students will be able to carry out research relevant to their own interests and teaching context.
C4 : Students will be able to adapt and/or design CALL materials and explain the pedagogical rationale behind their choices with reference to grammar, skills development (e.g., reading, writing, listening), and/or the fostering of learner autonomy.
C5 : Students will be able to use some computer tools such as presentation applications, WYSIWYG editors, basic authoring programmes, and word processors, for the creation of CALL tasks.
C6 : Students will be able to adapt materials to suit a wide range of teaching contexts
Teaching Methods
Seminars and workshops
Assessment Methods
Project development and presentations
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Students will be able to evaluate, discuss and communicate their understanding and perspectives in relation to the topics covered in the various programme modules. This will be achieved by engaging in pair/group work activities, formal presentations, and essay writing.
D2 : Students will be able to select and deploy adequate computer tools to achieve the programme goals, as stated above.
D3 : Students will be able to engage in critical thinking in order to problematize CALL and related areas, identify alternatives and approaches to the understanding and investigation of relevant issues, identify problems and solutions to the use of computer technology in the language classroom, and engage in the conceptualisation and implementation of projects to adapt and/or design CALL materials.
D4 : Students will gain the necessary skills to work as part of a team in order to carry out materials design projects.
D5 : Students will be able to improve their own learning and performance by receiving regular feedback from their tutors and, when appropriate, classmates. Students will also be encouraged to engage in reflective activities to assess their own progress
Teaching Methods
Lectures, seminars and workshops
Assessment Methods
Essays, project Development, and oral presentations
