Master of TESOL (Stream A)

The Master of TESOL (Stream A) is designed for people who are already qualified to teach in Australian schools but do not have qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and wish to obtain an advanced formal qualification in the specialisation of TESOL. In combination with an approved initial teaching qualification, the Master of TESOL (Stream A) is recognised as an approved course of study for appointment and promotion to tagged positions within the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

The course aims to upgrade and/or retrain teachers in TESOL in the primary, secondary and adult education sectors. More specifically, it is intended that graduates should be able to:

• understand the nature and form of the English or target language;
• identify the principles and approaches to teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL);
• understand and apply current TESOL methodologies;
• demonstrate competence in the management of TESOL programs and resources which are culturally and linguistically appropriate;
• demonstrate an advanced knowledge of key areas of specialisation in TESOL.
• understand the nature of research in second language education
• demonstrate capacity to undertake small scale research projects in second language education.

There are six compulsory subjects (75 points), and 25 points of electives. The capstone subjects (EDUC90745, EDUC90746) must be completed in the last semester of enrolment in the course.

The six compulsory subjects are:

Students also choose 25 points of electives from the following list:

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• either
– an undergraduate degree and a fourth year level education qualification, or equivalent, or
– a four-year education degree, or equivalent, or
– an undergraduate degree and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), or equivalent, or
– a four year undergraduate degree with a significant component of English Language Studies, or equivalent.
In addition, applicants are required to be eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• eligibility for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy higher English standards than the university’s normal English language requirements for postgraduate courses. Exemption from the requirement to take one of the standard English language tests approved by the Academic Board (on the basis of prior study in English) is at the discretion of the Selection Committee and when a standard English language test is required, the following minimum performance levels apply:
• either
– IELTS overall 7.5 with band scores speaking 8.0, listening 8.0, reading 7.0 and writing 7.0, or
– TOEFL paper-based test overall 640 with TWE 5.5, or
– TOEFL internet-based test overall 110 with speaking 28, writing 27, reading and listening 24, or
– Pearson Test of English (Academic) overall 79 with no communicative skill below 72, or
– Cambridge CAE overall 80 with no less than Good in each skill.

Notes.
(a) Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in TESOL (Stream A) may be eligible to progress to the Master of TESOL (Stream A) with 50 points credit. (Please note students cannot change from Stream A to Stream B, or from Stream B to Stream A).
(b) Students who discontinue from the Master of TESOL (Stream A), but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in TESOL (Stream A), respectively, will be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate as an exit award.

The Melbourne Graduate School of Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Graduate School policy to take reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Graduate School’s programs.
The core participation requirements for study in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education are:

In all courses

1. The ability to comprehend complex information related to education and the disciplines in which the student is teaching.
2. The ability to communicate clearly and independently in assessment tasks a knowledge of the content, principles and practices relating to education and other relevant disciplines.
3. Behavioural and social attributes that enable a student to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
   
   In courses requiring students to undertake practicum placements
   
4. The ability to undertake professional practice placements independently, including:
   a. the ability based on personal maturity to establish a professional relationship with students and interact with them appropriately;
   b. the ability to communicate to students the subject matter being taught with clarity and in a way that is age-sensitive;
   c. the ability to model literacy and numeracy skills independently for students and in all their interactions meet community expectations of the literacy and numeracy skills teachers should have;
   d. the ability to demonstrate skilfully and safely activities required in particular discipline areas being taught (e.g. physical education activities, science laboratory techniques);
   e. the ability to create, monitor and maintain a safe physical environment, a stable and supportive psychological environment, and a productive learning environment in their classroom;
   f. the ability to establish effective relationships with all members of the school community, including colleagues, students, and caregivers;
   g. the ability based on mental and physical health to exercise sound judgment and respond promptly to the demands of classroom situations, and the personal resilience to cope and maintain their wellbeing under stress.

Students who feel a disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for entry to the Doctor of Education program or a PhD after completion of a 50-point Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Research, provided they meet the entry requirements and subject to achievement of an H2A GPA. Please note also that graduates of an undergraduate Honours degree may already be eligible for doctoral studies, subject to the same entry and achievement requirements.

In combination with an approved initial teaching qualification, the Master of TESOL (Stream A) is recognised as an approved course of study for appointment and promotion to tagged positions within the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.