TEFL Courses
TEFL300 English for Language Teachers (Credits:2)
The course is designed to improve students’ English proficiency with a primary emphasis on the speaking skill. The following language areas are targeted: speaking accuracy, fluency, complexity, pragmatics, and pronunciation. These areas are practiced through a variety of speaking genres including, but not limited to, a formal presentation, impromptu speech, small talk, telephone conversation, oral summary, lesson presentation, and news story. As students prepare for these and other assignments, they are expected to watch and listen to a lot of authentic material relevant to their professional and personal interests. The content of the course is tailored to MA TEFL students. Hence, the assignments in terms of content and format are closely linked to students’ academic and professional needs. One to two hours of instructor-led discussion per week. One to two hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL301 Introduction to TEFL Methodology (Credits:3)
The course surveys language teaching approaches and methods and their underlying principles, with a particular focus on the basic questions of language acquisition and affective/cultural variables that impact on second and foreign language teaching and learning. The course provides an overview of the historical development of language teaching, addresses the roles and responsibilities of the modern language teacher, and introduces the basic concepts of motivation, learning styles and strategies, learner autonomy, course evaluation and assessment, exploring how current understanding of language learning and language acquisition informs teaching practice. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL302 Teaching Language Skills (Credits:3)
This course introduces the underlying theories and classroom practices for teaching ESL/EFL reading, writing, listening and speaking. The course highlights the nature of literacy and oral language development, beginning language skills (phonemic awareness, phonics, pronunciation), and meaning-focused language instruction. This practical course focuses on developing students’ technical abilities to effectively design classroom activities that target language skills and integrate them into coherent lesson plans. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL304 Classroom Assessment (Credits:3)
This course focuses on school/classroom-based assessment. It provides the latest information on the theoretical principles of language testing and assessment and discusses the implementation of the principles in real life practices. The primary focus of the course is on language assessment in classroom context. In addition, the course provides learners with knowledge and skills required for critically examining the existing tests and selecting or developing appropriate tests for their own academic context. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL305 Research Methods (Credits:3)
This course will lay the foundations for the students to learn about various principles and issues regarding research methods in second or foreign language teaching and classroom research. The course will look at the various viewpoint involved in research, the issues raised by quantitative and qualitative research, how the research program is to be structured and carried out, and how to report findings. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL306 Teaching Practicum (Credits:3)
The purpose of this course is to consolidate the theory and practice of teaching EFL and engage students in reflective practice. This course combines face-to-face classes on topics related to practical aspects of teaching EFL classes (e.g., lesson planning, classroom management) and fieldwork experience including EFL class observations and supervised teaching
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Prerequisite: TEFL302
TEFL307 New Technologies in TEFL (Credits:3)
Once viewed primarily as a domain studying computer-mediated means of learning and teaching languages, this field has expanded to include new tools such as mobile and cloud technologies, and social media. This course will survey current trends and best practices in new technologies specific to the TEFL field. It will provide an overview of related theory and practice in the areas of social media and networks, digital video and storytelling, digital games, 3D virtual worlds, mobile technologies, distance and open education, open educational resources, and cloud computing specific to TEFL. Students will engage in research, hands-on, and material development projects to enhance their practical skills of using technologies for teaching purposes. They will also learn how to harness the strengths of new technologies to become life-long learners in their profession. Students are expected to be conversant in Internet and basics of second language acquisition. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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Prerequisite: TEFL301 OR TEFL302
TEFL308 English for Specific Purposes (Credits:3)
With the growing interest in teaching English for specific purposes (ESP) around the world and Armenia where almost all non-English major students study English through ESP programs, it is imperative that MA TEFL graduates develop a sound knowledge of the field. This course introduces students to many areas of ESP including English for academic purposes and English for occupational purposes. The course helps students understand and apply ESP principles to serve the needs of the society. Three hours of instructor-led discussion and experiential learning per week.
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Prerequisite: TEFL301 OR TEFL302
TEFL309 Curriculum Design (Credits:3)
This course will help students to develop a deeper understanding of the principles and procedures that inform current practices in language curriculum design, how they impact classroom pedagogies and shape materials development. TE 308 will also equip students with a variety of theoretical resources and insights for the formulation and implementation of appropriate language courses. Students will gain insight into EGP (English for General Purposes) and ESP (English for Specific Purposes). ESP includes many areas such as EAP (English for academic purposes), EOP (English for occupational purposes), EST (English for science and technology), etc. Finally, the course will enable students to develop a critical view of curriculum design as it relates to Armenia’s EFL context. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL310 Teaching Internship (Credits:3)
Students enrolled in TEFL 310 will teach a group of students independently. During that time, they will function as independent teachers and operate as the main teachers in their class. During their Teaching Internships, MA TEFL students will: 1) Teach a group of students independently, 2) Receive supervision and support from their Faculty Mentor, 3) Benefit from class observations by their Faculty Mentor, 4) Develop supplemental teaching materials to accompany textbook, 5) Craft their own lesson plans, 6) Design their own classroom tests and quizzes, 7) Develop their own teaching materials, 8) Compile a teaching portfolio. This course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis.
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TEFL311 Vocabulary Teaching and Learning (Credits:3)
This course provides students with insights regarding both vocabulary learning research as well as best practice in vocabulary teaching. Both are supported through a corpus-linguistic approach and hands-on activities in the classroom. In addition, the course reviews current research and standards regarding vocabulary assessment. Examples and materials pertain to teaching English as a second or foreign language. Three hours of instructor-led discussion and experiential learning per week.
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TEFL312 Teaching Test Preparation Courses (Credits:2)
The objective of TEFL 312 is to help students become successful test preparation teachers. The course presents key features of major English language proficiency tests and prepares students to design and teach test preparation classes. While the course introduces tips and strategies to prepare English learners for proficiency tests, the emphasis is placed on teaching the language and skills through materials and activities based on communicative language teaching principles. Fifteen instructional hours based on instructor-led discussion.
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Prerequisite: TEFL301 OR TEFL302
TEFL314 Teaching English to Young Learners (Credits:3)
This course introduces students to theoretical principles and current practices of teaching and assessing learners of English starting from preschool until teenage years. The course also covers fundamentals of bi- and multi-lingual education. Practical course assignments include observations, material development, and teaching. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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Prerequisite: TEFL301 OR TEFL302
TEFL315 Teaching Armenian to Non-native Speakers (Credits:1)
This course promotes the development of reflective and knowledgeable professionals prepared to teach Armenian as a second or foreign language in a variety of instructional settings. Students learn to apply their linguistic and cultural knowledge of Armenian and effectively address the needs of learners from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The course explores current practices of teaching Armenian as a second or foreign language, helps students evaluate existing curricula and apply their pedagogical competence to develop their own materials. Fifteen instructional hours based on instructor-led discussion.
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Prerequisite: TEFL301 OR TEFL302
TEFL320 Introduction to Language (Credits:3)
An introduction to language in all its aspects as studied in the field of linguistics, including a focused concentration of how this approach relates to language education. This course explores biological, historical, and social/cultural aspects of language, and then addresses the system of language, looking at phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis. It covers most areas of linguistics at the introductory level, familiarizing students with general principles and key vocabulary in these areas, and exploring the relationship between the study of linguistics and language teaching. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL321 English Grammar: Structure and Pedagogy (Credits:3)
This course studies English sentence structure – morphology, syntax, and semantics – as it relates to the teaching and testing of ‘grammar’. The students examine the sentence level grammar of English in terms of both the forms and functions of basic grammatical elements. Thus, the focus is largely on syntax and semantics, with phonological and morphological aspects of sentence level grammar considered as necessary for the fullest understanding of the structure of English. The consideration of the functions of grammatical elements requires some consideration of discourse and how grammar plays a role in creating discursive structures in longer texts. In addition, the students also learn to develop their own lesson plans and materials for teaching grammar consistent with contemporary theory and the need to focus on form within a meaning-based or communicative approach. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL322 Seminar on Current Topics in Applied Linguistics (Credits:3)
This course promotes an informed understanding of the relationship between knowledge, theory and practice in the field of language study as understood in Applied Linguistics. It encourages students to investigate how various ways of looking at language can influence their thinking about language teaching. The aims of this course are to: 1) Familiarize students with major issues and insights in the field; 2) Introduce students to some current topics and debates in the field; 3) Study in some depth particular articles as a way to acquaint students with particular issues and topics of potential interest to them. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL323 Second Language Acquisition (Credits:3)
This course explores the various theories that scholars and researchers have put forward concerning second language acquisition, or how people learn languages. Since it is language learning that is being examined, it is important to understand what language is. Linguistics explores this question, and hence, this course draws to some extent on insights from linguistics. In addition, as people and learning have both social and psychological dimensions, the course also draws on insights from sociology and psychology. In other words, SLA is an inter-disciplinary subject that draws on all three disciplines, as well as the sub-disciplines and research areas that inter-relate them. Three hours of instructor-led discussion per week.
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TEFL327 Leadership and Management in Language Teaching (Credits:2)
The role of leadership and management in the arena of English teaching has greatly expanded in the past twenty years, influenced by the growing acceptance of management principles. This development makes the topic highly relevant to MA TEFL students, some of whom will be required to manage language programs or schools. This course places emphasis on quality, efficiency, economic sustainability, accountability to stakeholders and a focus on service. Students will familiarize themselves with these principles and the matching practices. Instructor-led discussion.
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TEFL328 Advanced Academic and Professional Writing in Applied Linguistics and TEFL (Credits:2)
This course is designed to prepare the students in MA TEFL both for the task of writing up their capstone projects effectively and for participating in the advanced written discourse of the academic and professional communities in applied linguistics, TEFL and TESOL, internationally. The students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the most prominent features of successful reports, research papers and similar texts, with the emphasis on discourse features, thematic flow, cohesion, coherence and citation. Some of the skills this course aims to reinforce are reading for new information, identifying synergies between texts, paraphrasing and quoting effectively while giving prominence to their own words and ideas. Two hours of instructor led discussion and workshops per week.
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Acopian Center for the Environment
TEFL330 Endangered Languages and Biodiversity (Credits:1)
About 70 percent of all languages currently spoken on Earth occur in approximately one-fourth of the planet’s land area (excluding Antarctica) that is designated as a Biodiversity Hotspot or High Biodiversity Wilderness Area. As is the case with species occurring in the biodiversity regions, many of the languages spoken in the Hotspots and High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas are unique to individual regions, thereby marking the sole opportunities to maintain them. Moreover, many of the languages occurring in these regions are spoken by small numbers of people indicating that much of the linguistic diversity (and, by implication, cultural diversity) currently present in biodiversity regions is in danger of disappearing in the foreseeable future due to the high vulnerability of small groups to changes in their cultural systems and environments amid rapid globalization.” From: http://users.ox.ac.uk/~romaine/lingbiodiversity.html. Through readings, class materials and lectures, this course introduces students to Earth’s Biodiversity Hotspots and the linguistic and cultural groups that live in these hotspots. The course is co-taught by ACE and TEFL and sensitizes students to current linguistic and biodiversity issues.
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TEFL340 Special Topics in Applied Linguistics (Credits:3)
Course Description tailored to course content when offered.
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TEFL341 Special Topics in TEFL (Credits:3)
Course Description tailored to course content when offered.
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TEFL390 Independent Study in TEFL/Applied Linguistics (Credits:3)
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TEFL391 Capstone Preparation (Credits:3)
Students enrolled in TEFL 391 must meet with their Capstone Committee or adviser on a regular basis during the semester, to discuss their proposals and report on details about their MA capstone. Students will only meet a few times as a class. At the end of the semester, students will write a proposal for their capstone and present it in class for feedback and discussion. The course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis.
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TEFL392 Capstone Project (Credits:3)
In this course, students will implement their capstone projects, which depending on the project, may include data collection and analysis, development and piloting of materials. In the process, they will have a few face-to-face class sessions, meet with their Capstone Committee or adviser on a regular basis, and write an MA Thesis or MA Design Project. In addition to the written work, students will present their final capstone publicly. The course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis.
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Prerequisite: TEFL305 AND TEFL309
TEFL393 Comprehensive Examinations (Credits:3)
Students enrolled in TEFL 393 prepare for Comprehensive Exams, one of the capstone options available for MA TEFL students. Comprehensive Exams consist of examination sessions administered over two days. They take place on campus and are scheduled in the students’ last term of study at AUA. Students attend an initial orientation session, receive detailed exam guidelines, including dates, times, and location of the comprehensive exams, a reading list, and sample exam questions. This course does not meet face-to-face on a regular basis, but will include an initial meeting and additional sessions as needed. Students are strongly encouraged to form study groups and use all the materials provided to them to prepare for the comprehensive exams.
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