What Makes This Course So Special?
Teaching foreign languages to young children (usually those aged between five and twelve years old) is an area of growing importance internationally both in state educational systems and in private language schools. It is a specialist field within the area of TESOL. The course is concerned with the special language and learning needs of young learners and explores these by looking at practical ideas and activities as well as research that throws light on what happens in classrooms where children are being taught a foreign language. There is a focus on effective materials design, stories and engaging, creative activities. There are also many opportunities within the Newport area to observe and reflect on good practice in different teaching contexts, as well as to study alongside different language teaching practitioners from the areas of EAL and TESOL.
This course is for you if you are a practising language teacher or wish to move into teacher training or academic management, and you want to take a principled yet practical exploration of how to inspire young learners.
On this course, you will apply theory to practice and prepare for more managerial skills such as course and materials design and evaluation.
Additional benefits of this course are that you will be studying with a range of professionals working in various English language teaching contexts. The assignments will encourage you to explore areas that are practical and useful to you and your future career.
What You Study
In common with all the MA Education pathways you will take the core module Research Methodology. In addition you will take TESOL: Material Design & Evaluation and the specialist module - Teaching English to Youmg Learners. You will study key learning principles for young language learners and relate these to the evaluation of tasks and activities for the classroom. As games, stories, drama and engaging activities play a crucial role in the young learner classroom, you will examine, evaluate and design language teaching materials.
You will also gain a professional understanding of spoken discourse and how this develops in childhood. Furthermore, as vocabulary development is crucial for young learners, you will examine how vocabulary is acquired by second language learners and what tasks and materials are effective for this.
The course will also focus on the development of literacy skills and an awareness of pedagogic strategies for classroom teaching of literacy through stories and theme-based teaching and learning.
You will then make one further module choice that allows you to study issues related to TESOL and language acquisition, course design, or current issues and challenges within Teaching English as an Additional Language (TEAL).
To complete the full MA you will present a 17,000 word research dissertation and a 3,000 word research dissemination plan.
A program specification for this course is available.
Where Next?
A Masters degree is required for professional advancement in numerous occupations, and is widely seen as evidence of a successful commitment to high level professional development.
An MA award demonstrates that you have developed advanced level skills in analysis, evaluation and research.
If you are interested in the possibility of a higher degree by research, your tutors will be pleased to discuss the opportunities for doing so here at Newport.
Interview Required?
Yes. After you have made your application an informal interview will be required.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through coursework, including action research, practical planning tasks, written assignments and presentations.
Staff Soundbite
“There is a growing demand for language professionals with a specialist interest in Children’s Language Learning. This course offers both a theoretical framework as well as the opportunity to explore and evaluate practical classroom activities that are appropriate for working with this age range.”