15. The Badged TESOL Major
15.1 Do I have to do the badged Major?
15.2 What is a badged Major?
15.3 How do I enrol in the TESOL Major? Can I do the Major without it appearing on my testamur?
15.4 What will the MAAL (TESOL) Major prepare me for?
15.5 If I enrolled before 2011 can I graduate with the badged Major?
15.6 Can I do more than 8 units in my MAAL degree so that I can include the TESOL Major
15.7 Can I substitute EDLI502 or EDLI504 for one of the core units in my MAAL degree so that I
can graduate with the TESOL Major?
15.8 Is there any way to add the TESOL qualification if I have completed or nearly completed my
MAAL degree?
15.9 Can I do EDLI502 and EDLI504 in the regular MAAL? Are they offered every year and can I do
EDLI504 before EDLI502? Can I take EDLI502 on its own as an elective in my MAAL degree?
15.1. Do I have to do the badged Major?
You can do the MAAL Degree without doing the badged Major. For the MAAL Degree, on your Academic record (transcript), you receive a “Master of Applied Linguistics”.
15.2. What is a badged Major?
A badged Major is a term broadly used to describe how your degree is specialised in its title or in your academic record (transcript). For example, if you do the TESOL Major in the MAAL Degree you will receive a “Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL)”.
To receive the badged major you are required to undertake set units to meet the requirements for the specialisation.
The new MAAL (TESOL) Major has also been approved for Student Income Support as a professionally oriented coursework Masters Degree by the Australian Government. This means that students who are Australian Citizens, and who are enrolled full time in the MAAL (TESOL), may be eligible to apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy. (For Youth Allowance/Austudy purposes being enrolled in 6 units per year is considered full time.) Further information is available here.
15.3. How do I enrol in the badged major? Can I do the major without it appearing on my Testamur?
Students can nominate a major via the online enrolment process. Once they have nominated the major (and meet the requirements of the major) then it automatically appears on their testamur. If they choose not to nominate the major then it won't appear on the testamur even if they have met the requirements.
For the 2011 application process a special course code: MAALTL, has been created for students who think they might qualify for Youth Allowance or Austudy. Students should select this code if they are thinking of applying for Student Income Support.
15.4. What will the MAAL (TESOL) Major prepare me for?
The Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL) provides a major within the degree which is of relevance to those who are teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language to adults, either in Australia or overseas, or to those who wish to enter the TESOL profession.
We do emphasise, however, that the MAAL (TESOL) is aimed at people intending to teach at adult level. For example, in Australia you would be able to apply to teach in the Adult Migrant English Program, or in ELICOS (language centres which cater to international students learning English). In Australia you need an education degree to teach TESOL in the school system. However, this varies from country to country so you need to check the requirements of the country and the sector where you wish to work before enrolling.
If you wish to teach ESL in Australian schools we recommend you visit the UNE School of Education website.
15.5. If I enrolled before 2011 can I graduate with the badged Major?
Yes, but you will have to transfer to the 2011 Course Rules for the MAAL and nominate the major. You will need to complete EDLI502 and EDLI504 along with your 4 core units and 2 elective units. If you think you might qualify for Youth Allowance or Austudy you must specify that you want to transfer to the MAALTL Course Code as well.
If you wish to change from your current Course Rules to the 2011 Course Rules, you will need to complete and submit a Move to Latest Course Rules form found at http://www.une.edu.au/for/current-students/forms to facilitate this change. Once you have submitted this form you can complete your online enrolment. Please be sure to monitor your UNE e-mail account in case the University needs to contact you regarding your choice. Note that if you are a Domestic Full Fee paying student, transferring to the new rules may also mean a transfer to a higher fee structure.
15.6. Can I do more than 8 units in my MAAL degree so that I can include the TESOL Major?
No, students who have completed course requirements must graduate and are not permitted to defer graduation, therefore you must exit with the MAAL degree.
15.7. Can I substitute EDLI502 or EDLI504 for one of the core units in my MAAL degree so that I can graduate with the TESOL Major?
No, students must complete the 4 core units to qualify for the MAAL degree.
15.8. Is there any way to add the TESOL qualification if I have completed or nearly completed my MAAL degree?
You may not be able to add the TESOL Major to your MAAL degree but the School of Education offers a Graduate Certificate in TESOL where the aim of the course is to provide a specialist professional qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). You may be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing for units already completed in your MAAL degree and only need to complete EDLI502 and EDLI504 to complete the Graduate Certificate. The School of Education would determine eligibility for entry into this program and any applications for Advanced Standing.
15.9 Can I do EDLI502 and EDLI504 in the regular MAAL? Are they offered every year and can I do EDLI504 before EDLI502? Can I take EDLI502 on its own as an elective in my MAAL degree?
EDLI502 and EDLI504 are offered every year and can be done as electives within your regular MAAL degree. You must do EDLI502 before you do EDLI504. Yes, you can do EDLI502 on its own as an elective.