1. MAE825
Cultural Perspectives on the Language Classroom

This course is based on the assumption that an understanding of cultural diversity within a changing and increasingly globalised and multimediated world is important in helping us as language educators to better understand, and mediate between, different linguistic and cultural practices in a multicultural context. This course will examine various ‘takes’ on the notions of culture and intercultural communication, and ways in which cultural diversity may be most effectively understood. It will pay particular attention to areas of cross- and inter-cultural communication that influence the teaching of language and literacy, namely contrastive rhetoric, cross-cultural pragmatics, classroom cultures of learning, cultural content in language materials as well as increasing cultural diversity among students in our classrooms.

2. MAE827
Language Teaching Methodology

This course seeks to provide an overview of current approaches to the teaching of English as a second or foreign language. This subject introduces participants to theoretical models for explaining language learning and examines the influences these models have on English language teaching approaches and methodologies.

3. MAE828
Language Testing and Assessment

This subject introduces fundamental principles of language testing and assessment. The course aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and understanding of language test development and validation to enable them to create, and interpret the results from, tests and assessment procedures designed for classroom use. The strong research orientation of the readings will also enable participants to develop a framework from which to analyse and critically evaluate standardized, high-stakes language tests currently used in the education system.

4. MAE829 Materials Design and Development

This course will deal primarily with principles and techniques in materials design, development and evaluation in relation to recent innovations in language teaching. Course participants will be expected to develop instructional materials for the teaching of various skills and types of language content. They will have opportunities to apply knowledge from the core courses and courses in the specialization strands.