Master of Modern Languages Education

Course Codes

Overview

The Master of Modern Languages Education is an advanced course for both Australian and international students who desire specialist studies modern languages education (also called languages other than English (LOTE) education).

The course has a one-year thesis and coursework stream (Stream 100A), a one and a half year thesis and coursework stream (Stream 150A), a one-year coursework-only stream (Stream 100B) and a one and a half year coursework stream (Stream 150B). Eligibility for each stream depends on the level of the applicant's previous qualifications.

The Master of Modern Languages Education, Stream 100A is a research-classified course, while the Master of Modern Languages Education, Stream 100B, 150A or 150B, are coursework-classified courses. Graduates of Stream 100A and 150A may be eligible to apply for entry to the PhD or Doctor of Education programs.

Special Note: All students who wish to apply for a stream with a thesis component must submit an Expression of Interest before applying.

Please note that this course will not provide you with registration to teach in Australia.

Course Objectives

Students who have completed the Master of Modern Languages Education course should be able to:

• demonstrate a high level of competence in the management and teaching of at least one modern language;
• demonstrate a superior knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of language learning;
• have an understanding of the theory and practice of research in modern languages education;
• make effective use of the findings of educational writings and research in addressing language education-related professional problems;
• have the depth of knowledge and understanding that will enable them to be a resource for colleagues in language education-related professional situations.

Entrance Requirements for Streams 100A and 100B

An applicant may be eligible for entry into the Master of Modern Languages Education, Streams 100A or 100B, if the applicant has:

• an appropriate four year degree comprising approved modern language and modern languages methodology studies and at least two years of documented relevant work experience; or
• a three year degree and Graduate Diploma in Education comprising modern languages methodology studies and at least two years of documented relevant work experience, or
• the Postgraduate Certificate in Modern Languages Education

Applicants for Stream 100A are required to submit a thesis proposal signed by their prospective supervisor with their application.

Students must also achieve a grade of H2A or better in the research method subject before being permitted to undertake the thesis component. Students achieving a grade of H2B may be allowed to undertake the thesis if they have the explicit support of their supervisor that they are capable of doing so. Students achieving a grade of less than H2B may be required to convert from a research masters to a coursework only degree.

Wherever possible, students should take the research method subject just prior to the commencement of the thesis.

Entrance Requirements for Stream 150A or 150B

An applicant may be eligible for entry into the Master of Modern Languages Education, Streams 150A or 150B, if the applicant has:

• an appropriate four-year Education degree, comprising a significant component of modern languages study (e.g. a three-year post-VCE major), or
• a three-year degree comprising a significant component of modern language study, and a Graduate Diploma in Education, or equivalent; or
• an appropriate four-year degree and either a record of research and/or publication equivalent to year four in education or at least two years of documented relevant professional experience.

Length of Time Acceptable Since Completion of Previous Qualification and/or Prerequisites

Applicants for Stream 100A of the Master of Modern Languages Education who are applying for entry on the basis of qualifications obtained more than ten years prior to the year in which selection is sought, will normally be required to undertake two subjects from the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (LOTE) and gain an H2A or above in each subject prior to admission to Stream 100A of the Master of Modern Languages Education.

Applicants for Stream 150A or 150B of the Master of Modern Languages Education who are applying for entry on the basis of qualifications obtained more than ten years prior to the year in which selection is sought, may be granted admission if, in the view of the School, the applicant has maintained an appropriate level of active involvement in the field of education during the time since the relevant prerequisite qualification(s) were conferred. No credit will be granted for studies undertaken for a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (LOTE) or other fifth-year level equivalent qualification completed more than 10 years prior to the year for which selection is sought.

Applicants who wish to resume their Masters study after a gap of more than 10 years will normally be required to undertake two subjects and gain an H2A or above in each subject prior to re-admission to any stream of the Master of Modern Languages Education.

Course Structure

Stream 100A: Coursework and Thesis of 20,000 words (332AB)

Students are required to undertake 100 points of study, consisting of a thesis of 20,000 words with a research methodology component (75 points total) and 25 points of coursework selected from the list below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked by an asterisk. Students must publicly present a research paper in the last six months of their candidature.

Coursework subjects (select one):

Approved research methodology studies:

Students may not select subjects already completed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (LOTE) or subjects which have a significant overlap with specific subjects in the above list.

Stream100B: Coursework (332AC)

Students are required to undertake 100 points of coursework selected from the list of 25-point subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked with an asterisk. This stream is designed for teachers who have a Modern Languages teaching qualification and wish to do a coursework Masters.

Students must undertake at least one of:

Students must undertake additional subjects from the following list to make up 100 points:

Students wishing to undertake elective studies in the use of Information Technology in language teaching should consult the Course Coordinator on appropriate alternative elective subjects.

Stream 150A: Coursework and Thesis of 20,000 words (332BB)

Students are required to undertake 150 points of study, consisting of 75 points of coursework, and a thesis of 20,000 words with a research methodology component (75 points). Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked by an asterisk.

Compulsory subjects for students who do not have a Modern Languages teaching qualification:

All students must also undertake at least one of the following subjects:

Students who do have a Modern Languages teaching qualification must undertake additional subject(s) to make up 75 points of coursework from the following list:

Approved research methodology studies:

Students wishing to undertake elective studies in the use of Information Technology in language teaching should consult the Course Coordinator on appropriate alternative elective subjects.

Stream 150B: Coursework (332BC)

Students are required to undertake 150 points of coursework selected from the list of 25-point subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked with an asterisk.

Compulsory subjects for students who do not have a Modern Languages teaching qualification:

All students must also undertake at least one of the following subjects::

and additional subject(s) to make up the 150 points of coursework from the following list:

Students wishing to undertake elective studies in the use of Information Technology in language teaching should consult the Course Coordinator on appropriate alternative elective subjects.

Period of Candidature

After being admitted to Stream 100A of the course, full-time students are required to pursue studies for at least one academic year and not more than two academic years. Part-time students are required to pursue studies for at least two academic years and not more than four academic years.

After being admitted to Stream 150A or150B of the course, full-time students are required to pursue studies for at least two academic years and not more than four academic years. Part-time students are required to pursue studies for at least four academic years and not more than six academic years.

Thesis Provisions

General Requirements and Thesis Supervision

Applicants for Stream 100A are required to write a preliminary thesis proposal and obtain a supervisor as part of the application process. The thesis proposal must be signed by the supervisor and the supervisor's Head of Department.

All students enrolled in the thesis streams should finalise the topic of their thesis with their supervisor as early as possible, and must register the name of their supervisor with the School Office as soon as the matter is finalised.

The Thesis of 20,000 Words

The thesis permits the student to draw on the themes discussed in the various subjects undertaken, and to apply them to an area of particular interest. Although this work may rely to some extent on the work of others, it should be a new presentation which involves the writer in demonstrating research and writing skills, and also in collecting primary data from the field, or in building some new construct from available materials. The result should give clear evidence of research skills and critical judgment.

The thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to handle research and to present the outcomes in a disciplined way that conforms with normal scholarly conventions.

The thesis should be 20,000 words in length, excluding appendices. The thesis will be examined by two appropriate academics, at least one of whom is external to the University of Melbourne, neither of whom is the supervisor of the thesis. Theses produced for Stream 100A are required to be examined by two external examiners.

The thesis should not, as a general rule, take a part-time student more than twelve months to complete.

External Mode of Delivery

A small number of subjects within this course are offered in external (online) mode of delivery. It is possible to undertake one or two subjects externally providing students select subjects that are available in external mode of delivery, but there are not enough external subjects on offer to enable students to undertake Stream 150B entirely by distance. Moreover, it is not possible to undertake the coursework and thesis streams entirely by distance as the thesis must be undertaken while on-campus at the University of Melbourne. Students wishing to undertake subjects offered in external (online) mode of delivery should first check that they meet the requirements to study externally.