under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency

L.N. 22 of 2016

EDUCATION ACT

(CAP. 327)

Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of the

General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008

for the Degree of Master of Arts in

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – M.A. TESOL -

under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred upon him by articles 74 (5) and 75 (6)

of the Education Act (Cap. 327), the Chancellor of the University of Malta has

promulgated the following bye-laws made by the Board of the Centre for English

Language Proficiency in virtue of the powers conferred upon it by article 7 (b)(v) of

the Statute for the Centre, which bye-laws have been approved by the Senate of the

University of Malta

Citation and Interpretation

(1) These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2016 in terms of

the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – M.A. TESOL

- under the auspices of the Centre for English Language Proficiency.

(2)

In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires -

“the Board” means the Board of the Centre for English Language Proficiency;

“the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master

of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – M.A. TESOL;

“the Degree” means the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English to

Speakers of Other Languages – M.A. TESOL;

“the Postgraduate Certificate” means the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching

English to Speakers of Other Languages – P.G. Cert. TESOL;

“the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching

English to Speakers of Other Languages – P.G. Dip. TESOL; and

“the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for University

Postgraduate Awards, 2008.

Applicability

These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October

2015 or later.

Requirements for Admission

(1) The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the

following qualifications

(a) a Bachelor’s degree from this University or another university recognised

by Senate in the same area or in an area of study deemed relevant by the Board,

provided that applicants in possession of a degree with Third Class Honours or

Category III shall satisfy the Board that they are in possession of other qualifications,

including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree; or

(b) a DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) or Dip.

TESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification

or equivalent.

(2) Applicants for the Course may be required to demonstrate through

an interview that they have sufficient proficiency and background to be able to follow

the Course with profit. In certain instances, the interviewing board may recommend

that applicants follow a preparatory programme as specified in bye-law 4.

(3) All applicants shall be required to demonstrate, through appropriate

certification and references, that they have undertaken at least 2000 hours of teaching

English.

(4) Depending on the availability of resources, the Board shall

determine the number of applicants that may be allowed to register for the Course.

The Board shall announce the number of available places, and the criteria for selection

of applicants at the time of the call for applications.

(5) For the purpose of selection, applicants whose qualifications as

stipulated in paragraph (1) of this bye-law were obtained by 31 August preceding the

commencement of the Course shall be considered first.

(6) The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed

of at least three members.

Preparatory Programme

(1) Applicants may be required to complete a preparatory programme,

comprising not less than 30 and not more than 60 ECTS credits as directed by the

Board, with an overall average mark of 55% or better, prior to their admission to the

Course.

(2) The Board may grant applicants full or partial exemption from the

requirement of the preparatory programme if it is satisfied that the applicant possesses

post first cycle degree work experience that is relevant to the Course.

Course Duration

The Course shall extend over three semesters of full-time study or the

equivalent in part-time study.

Programme of Study

(1) The programme of study shall comprise taught study-units to which

a total of 60 ECTS credits are assigned and a dissertation or project study-unit to

which 30 ECTS credits are assigned.

(2) Students who obtain 30 ECTS credits assigned to taught study-units

with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course, or having

proceeded do not successfully complete the Course, shall be eligible for the award of

the Postgraduate Certificate.

(3) Students who obtain the 60 ECTS credits assigned to the taught

study-units with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the Course,

or having proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible

for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(4) The programme of study shall be published by the Board after

approval by Senate normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement

of the Course.

Assessment and Progress

(1) The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the

end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2) Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not

more than 20 ECTS credits for taught study-units, if following the Course on a full-

time basis, or not more than 10 ECTS credits for taught study-units if following the

Course part-time basis, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments

during the September supplementary examination session.

(3) Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted

under paragraph (2) of this bye-law, or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain

the credits for any study-unit, shall be deemed to have failed the Course.

(4) When examining a dissertation/project, the Board of Examiners

shall follow the Marking Criteria and Descriptors as approved by the Board.

Dissertation/Project

(1) Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of

approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

The Board may allow students to submit a project instead of a dissertation, in which

case the provisions outlined hereunder shall also apply.

(2) Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the third

semester of the Course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor who shall provide

guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3) A provisional title for the dissertation and a detailed research

proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval not later than six weeks before

the end of the second semester.

(1)

Students shall be required to have regular contact with their

supervisor.

(2) Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for the

students under their supervision at the end of each semester of study, whether the

student is following the Course on a full-time or a part-time basis. Such reports may

include a recommendation to either (a) extend the period of study in order to enable

the student to complete the dissertation; or (b) terminate studies prematurely if the

supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that

(i) the extension of the study period referred to in (a) shall be in accordance

with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and

(ii) the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (b) until it

has first given the student a chance to be heard.

Classification of the Awards

The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of

the Postgraduate Diploma and the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all

the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally.

Special Provisions for Part-Time Courses

The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to

courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably

be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the Course.

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