AUT - Master of Professional Language Studies - Language Teaching
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Master of Professional Language Studies - Language Teaching
The Master of Professional Language Studies offers graduates the opportunity to develop advanced professional skills in teaching English or another language. The degree is for teachers who have a preliminary qualification and experience in language teaching.
- A one-year taught master’s degree – equivalent to the level of the second year of a two-year master’s
- Focus is on professional practice
- Unlike other programmes that are largely theoretically based, this programme combines practical classroom teaching with a sound knowledge of theory
- Students on the programme are, for example, experienced teachers of ESOL or EFL, Maori, Sign Language and additional languages
- Teachers complete papers and an applied practice project
Study includes a teaching practice and reflection - Teachers can do the programme full time or part-time over 2-3 years
- Classes are in the late afternoon/early evening so that teachers can finish their teaching day before coming to class
- All papers include some blended learning; this can range from readings and the handbook posted online, to online tutorials and discussions
- Study includes teaching practice and reflection
Programme details
Programme code: AK1287
Level: 9
Points: 120
Duration: 1 year full time / 3 years part time
Venue: City Campus
Starting date: 4 March 2013 (full time and part time students);
22 July 2013 (part time students only).
Programme administrator: Helen Xue, hxue@aut.ac.nz Ph: +64 9 921 9999 extn 6845.
Programme coordinator: Clare Conway, clare.conway@aut.ac.nz Ph: +64 9 921 9999 extn 6000.
Entry requirements
- To enter the MPLS in Language Teaching students must have completed one of the following:
(a) a relevant 4 year bachelor's degree or
(b) a relevant bachelor's degree with honours or
(c) a relevant postgraduate diploma or
(d) a bachelor's degree or graduate diploma and
(e) a relevant professional qualification approved by the dean (or representative) to be equivalent to one year of advanced study. - An applicant must have completed their qualification in 1 (d) (e) above to a merit standard
All applicants must have at least one year of relevant professional experience.
All applicants must have at least one year of relevant professional experience.
An applicant who is admitted under 1(d)(i) above will be required to provide evidence of further relevant professional experience.Additionally:
Non-native English speakers require an Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with not less than 6 in each band and not less than 7 in speaking and writing.
Evidence of relevant professional experience must be submitted upon application. See Addendum.Note: Students teaching in Auckland during their studies must gain approval from their teaching institution to use their own class for the Reflective Practice Project paper. Students not teaching during the programme will be assisted to set up some teaching in order to complete the paper.
Structure and content
This professional masters qualification combines the development of advanced academic knowledge with practical language teaching skills.You study a range of core and elective topics and then complete a reflective practice project where you identify an area of teaching that you would like to investigate in more depth.
You critically review the literature and develop a theory of teaching in this area. In the classroom you apply the theory in practice through a number of teaching events.
Key skills practiced in this programme include:
- Critical thinking, reading and discussing
- Evaluating strategies for effective language teaching and learning
- Developing a personal theory of teaching
- Critical reflection on own classroom practice
- Devising a plan for own development as a teacher arising out of critical reflection.
The development of these skills is relevant to teachers’ future careers as they equip teachers to continue their own professional development once the course of study is finished.
Teachers have the opportunity to explore a special area of interest in their teaching. They carry out in-depth reading in their area of focus, try out their theory of teaching in the classroom, and then reflect on their teaching.
Graduates of the programme have explored areas, such as ways to teach vocabulary through reading, teaching spoken language through using authentic texts and intercultural language teaching.
Papers
Applicants must discuss their intended study sequence with the programme leader before enrolling in papers. Semester 1 papers are noted below; students wishing to start the programme midyear will need to study part time as Semester 1 papers are a pre-requisite for Semester 2 papers.
Core papers
168101 Language Analysis (Semester 1 paper)
169203 The Language Learner (Semester 1 paper)
169206 Contemporary Approaches and Issues in Language Teaching (Semester 1 paper)
169202 Reflective Practice Project
169204 Curriculum Design and Assessment
Elective papers
168102 Language, Culture and Communication168104 Discourse Analysis
169205 The Context of Language Teaching and Learning
Other papers
109007 Special Topic in Applied Language StudiesIndustry connections
Students usually complete their work experience in their own language teaching environment.
This means they can make their study directly relevant to their practice. Where this is not possible (e.g. for international students studying in NZ) students are assisted in finding groups of learners for their classroom practice.
The programme has a Language Education Advisory Committee made up of language teachers and language teacher educators from a variety of sectors (tertiary, community, private language schools).
Career opportunities
Enhanced prospects for employment and promotion in language teaching positions nationally and internationally in:
- Private language schools
- Tertiary educational institutions
- Community schools
- High schools (for teachers who already have high school teaching qualifications)
- Students may undertake further study on completion of their course, as long as sufficient papers in research methodology have been taken during the course of their MPLS programme and they meet other relevant entry criteria:
Our graduates speak
Chanjuan DuProfessional guidance and assistance from AUT University lecturers were just one of the positives international student Chanjuan Du had while completing her Master of Professional Language Studies in Language Teaching. More >>
Clark LiuClark is as an ESOL tutor at the Polyethnic Institute of Studies, teaching an intermediate class of Samoan adults. More >>
Vivienne JosephsGraduating in 2009, Vivienne now runs her own company, Workplace English Ltd, providing onsite customised English language coaching in the corporate workplace. More >>
Toe PunePune, who is the deputy principal at Otahuhu College, graduated from the Masters of Professional Language Study LT (language teaching) last year and says the learning he did while at AUT can now be shared with not only his colleagues but also his students. More >>