Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 2002: Units indexed by faculty
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Master of Education (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) [TESOL]


General information

Course code: 2503 + Abbreviation: TESOL + Clayton + Contact: Dr Margaret Gearon (telephone (03) 9905 2819 for initial inquiries)
The Master of Education (TESOL) is designed to meet the needs of: teachers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in teaching English as a second or foreign language; English language teachers needing an accredited qualification; educators who wish to use this pathway as a basis for detailed research in English language teaching and learning; and teachers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in teaching students from language and cultural backgrounds other than English ones.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, applicants must hold either an approved three-year bachelors degree and an approved fourth year of study, or an approved four-year bachelors degree, or have qualifications or experience considered by the faculty board to be equivalent to, or a satisfactory substitute for, the above awards. Applicants must also be qualified teachers who hold a teaching qualification recognised in Australia.

English proficiency requirements

Applicants who are not native speakers of English will be required to demonstrate substantial competence in written and spoken English before admission. These requirements are:
(i) Education in full English medium in an English-speaking country, or
(ii) IELTS -- 7.0 global (no score below 6); TOEFL -- 600 with TWE of 5; computer-based TOEFL -- 250.

Course outline

There are three options for completion of this course. Students are required to successfully complete 72 credit points comprising:

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Research core unit
(12 pts)

Research core unit
(12 pts)

Research core unit
(12 pts)

Program elective
EDF6236 Language society and cultural difference (12 pts)

Program elective
EDF6236 Language society and cultural difference (12 pts)

Program elective
EDF6236 Language society and cultural difference
(12 pts)

EDF6233 Theory and practice of TESOL
(12 pts)

EDF6233
Theory and practice of TESOL
(12 pts)

EDF6233 Theory and practice of TESOL
(12 pts)

EDF6234 Issues in curriculum design and assessment in second and foreign languages
(12 pts)

EDF6234 Issues in curriculum design and assessment in second and foreign languages (12 pts)

EDF 6238 Advanced practicum in language teaching: TESOL
(12 pts)

EDF6238 Advanced practicum in language teaching: TESOL (12 pts)

EDF6238 Advanced practicum in language teaching: TESOL
(12 pts)

Thesis 12,000 -- 15,000 words
(24 pts)

General elective unit (12 pts)

EDF6020 Professional project
6000 words
(12 pts)


Research core unit
Students to complete at least one unit selected from:
EDF6001 Embarking on educational research
EDF6003 Approaching education enquiry
EDF6004 Research workshop
Program elective unit
EDF6236 Language society and cultural difference (requirement for TESOL pathway)
Specialist elective units
EDF6233 Theory and practice of TESOL
EDF6234 Issues in curriculum design and assessment in second and foreign languages
EDF6238 Advanced practicum in language teaching: TESOL

General elective units
Option 1
Any one postgraduate unit relevant to the course as approved by the course coordinator
Option 2
No general electives
Plus EDF6020 Professional project
Option 3
No general electives
Plus thesis
Research thesis
The research core unit is a corequisite for the research thesis. It may be taken concurrently with the research thesis or completed prior to the commencement of the research thesis.


This is a conceptual outline only. It gives a general indication of how the course will progress and is subject to change without notice. Students should also consult their course coordinator to assist in planning their program. Please check the timetable for 2002 for unit availability via our website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/timetables/ after 30 September.

Length of course/workload required

The Master of Education (TESOL) may be taken either full-time or part-time. It is expected that full-time candidates will complete all requirements within 18 months (three semesters) while part-time candidates should complete all requirements within three years. The expected number of study hours per week for a full-time student is 48.

Advanced standing (credits/exemptions)

Teachers who have taught ESOL for three years full-time or longer may document 22 days of lessons in their own classrooms in lieu of undertaking an externally supervised teaching practicum and EDF6238. Teachers who have gained the Royal Society of Arts Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults (RSACTEFLA) may gain an exemption of five days from the teaching practicum.

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