Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM329: Preparing for TESOL Inquiry and Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are:

To understand the purpose and uses of TESOL research in relations to theory development, policy formation and professional practice;
To critically examine the available paradigms and modes of educational enquiry with a view to a research enquiry;
To design an appropriate enquiry and select suitable methods for the enquiry and justify these in theoretical terms;
To carry out a small scale enquiry within TESOL field at Master’s level;
To interpret evidence and discuss its relevance to existing enquiry; and
To develop a critical understanding of the ethical issues associated with educational enquiry.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront TESOL research and practice; 2. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research; 3. demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in language teaching and learning, and related fields; 4. demonstrate conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in TESOL; and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. demonstrate awareness and ability to manage the implications of ethical dilemmas and work pro-actively with others to formulate solutions; 6. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques/ methodologies applicable to their own work
Personal and Key Skills	7. demonstrate an ability to undertake research tasks competently with minimum guidance; 8. demonstrate the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound 9. demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act 10. take responsibility for the direction and management of the research and its resolution.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The module consists of a series of lectures, workshops and on-line resources. Topics are selected from the following:

Critical reading; Searching and Reviewing literature; Finding a suitable topic; Moving from Topic to Research questions; Project Design; Theoretical aspects of research; Research Methodologies; Research Ethics; Methods of Data Collection; Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis; Writing the dissertation.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
40	560

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	20	10 Lectures x 2 hours (full time and part time)
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	10	5 Workshops x 2 hours
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	10	Individual supervision
Guided Independent Study	130	A variety of private study tasks directed by module tutors through online materials (in ELE). These tasks may include (with an indicative number of hours):
Guided Independent Study	430	Carrying out of research enquiry, for example, gathering data, analysing data, writing dissertation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).