This course is suitable if you are currently or looking to teach English to speakers of other languages, keen to build on your existing knowledge and experience, seeking to improve your career prospects or interested in researching your own teaching practices/context.

It will prepare you to conduct independent research into teaching and learning and provides a pathway to doctoral study. You will meet expert tutors in the field of English language teaching, a major branch of applied linguistics, who have many years’ experience teaching at this level and who are committed to providing the best quality study experience.

Our teaching is informed by leading research and we offer optional modules which reflect the latest in applied linguistics and language teacher education. You will learn in a modern, high-tech learning environment with a lively, multi-cultural social experience.

We offer a range of support including interactive, collaborative teaching methods, individual tutorials, opportunities to pursue your professional and research interests, access to extensive study materials and free support for developing proficiency in academic English.

Tuition Fees:

Malaysian Students: RM15,300 for the whole course 

International Students: RM18,400 for the whole course

Mode:

Full-time:  1-2 years

Part-time: 2-4 years 

Typical Core modules

Language Teaching: Methodology and Curiculum

The module focuses on topics which have been the subject of recent discussion and research in the field of foreign and second language teaching. These include:

• a historical review of language teaching methods and approaches
• content vs process syllabus design in language teaching
• humanism in language teaching
• Communicative Language Teaching and Task Based Learning
• areas of applied linguistics particularly relevant to teaching of productive skills, especially sociolinguistics and pragmatics
• areas of applied linguistics particularly relevant to the teaching of receptive skills, especially psycholinguistics

You will be expected to read, understand and engage critically with the research presented on these topics.

Understanding Language Learning and the Language Learner

The module focuses on key areas in Applied Linguistics relating to Second Language Acquisition (SLA), and explores them from the perspective of both language learners and teachers. These include:

• ‘the good language learner’
• a historical overview of theories of SLA (key insights from applied linguistic research)
• recent applied linguistic developments in the theorisation of SLA as a dynamic complex system and social process
• implications of first language acquisition for SLA
• variability and individual differences in SLA (gender, age, aptitude, motivation, attitudes and beliefs, cognitive styles, strategies, autonomy and self-regulation)
• the role of grammar, vocabulary and phonology instruction in second language learning
• trends in applied linguistic research into SLA including the broadening of the field, greater exploitation of computerised samples of language, the growing stature of classroom-based investigation

You will be expected to read, understand and engage critically with the research presented on these topics.

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)
• TOEFL (iBT): 87 (minimum 20 in Speaking and 19 in all other elements)
• PTE (Academic): 62 (with no less than 55 in each element)
• MUET: Band 4

Entry requirements

A relevant second class honours degree (or international equivalent). Relevant experience may be required for some of the modules. Non-UK qualifications will be assessed against this standard.

Malaysians applying as a matured student without the standard entry requirements but with substantial and relevant work experience (and have successfully passed APEL’s assessment through Malaysian Qualifications Agency) may be considered for an entry at the Postgraduate Certificate Level. Admission is at the discretion of the School.