1. May May Win MA (TESOL) Lancaster University

2.  Choosing the course  Choosing modules  Study tips  Support from the university  Coursework  Dissertation

3.  Choosing the university  Related to the previous study/ studies  A new area  Degrees which are in great demand in the job market  University ranking  www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

4.  Course/ module description from uni websites  Course instructors explaining modules at orientation  One/two weeks of trial period  Core modules, audit modules, support modules  E.g., Lancaster (3 core, 2 support, 1 audit for each term)  Take as many modules as possible? ◦ To be mentioned on degree certificates

5. Preparing to go to the UK  Academic language skills – preparation for academic reading, writing, listening and speaking before going to the UK  Research skills – data collection, data analysis and interpretation, basic statistics, background reading of research papers  Prep English courses (EAP: English for Academic Purposes)  can be costly and time-consuming

6. Support from the university  Support courses ◦ Postgraduate academic study skills ◦ Research methodology  Academic tutors/ advisors  Library use training (e.g.,EndNote training)  IT training  IT service (e.g, ISS: Information System Services)  SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) training  Online resources  Seminars and workshops by well-known scholars

7.  Assignments for each core module  Presentations and projects  Dissertation (qualitative and or quantitative research)  Exams

8. Malpractice in Examinations and Coursework  Abide by rules and regulations of the uni and don’t attempt to gain advantage by any unfair means.  When submitting coursework, it must be your own work and any assistance must be correctly acknowledged.  Your department[s] will be able to offer detailed advice.  In recent years the Internet has become a source for such malpractice, however, mechanisms for detecting such practice is also becoming easier and readily available.

9. Course requirements  Attendance and academic progress are monitored.  You are expected to complete all the work required of you. This includes attendance at all seminars and tutorials and completion and submission of any written or practical work, vacation work and departmental tests specified by your tutors.  All departments have codes of practice which spell out the requirements to you in more detail - make sure you obtain one.

10. Grading (Assignments and Dissertation)  80 + (high distinction)  70 + (distinction)  60-69 (good pass)  50-59 (pass)  40-49 (fail)  Below 30 (poor fail)

11.  Results – within one month  Resubmission  Graduation in December  Degree certificate and grading certificate sent to home address

12. Research proposal  Availability of tutors and their fields of expertise  Availability of reference resources  Topic/title (masters’ level) – may not be totally new, but can be replicate of previous studies  Practical issues – data collection; easy access to participants; fast and reliable data sources; research methods; your own interests  Relevance to own context  Familiarity with the area of study

13. Dissertation (writing up the research)  Format  Academic language/ style of writing  Supervision – limited time (e.g., 5 hours)  when going to see supervisors, prepare outline and reading list, make notes of what to ask, make notes of what the supervisor suggests, emailing  Time management – meeting deadlines  Dissertations from previous years (from library; sometimes available online)  Proof-reading service

14. Publications of works  University posts (lecturership or professorship) are decided on the quantity and quality of the publications of the research we have made in the field.  Many employers are interested in the research area we have done for the postgrad degrees.  Dissertations at the masters’ degree may be linked (elaborated) to the doctoral degree.

15. Thank You