Welcome to NILE’s MA in Professional Development for Language Education
NILE’S MA in Professional Development for Language Education (MAPDLE), validated by the University of Chichester, is a flexibly delivered, modular postgraduate programme for professionals involved in ELT or in other sectors of language education, who wish to develop their specialist skills.
It is a comprehensive Master’s programme, providing in-depth and state-of-the-art coverage of the key areas of language education, whilst also providing an extensive choice of specialist elective modules to help you develop within your own particular areas of interest.
Our MA:
- is led by recognised specialists in their field, including Phil Ball, Briony Beaven, Antonia Clare, Gavin Dudeney, Claudia Ferradas, Thom Kiddle, Sandie Mourão, Alan Pulverness, Jason Skeet, Simon Smith, Johanna Stirling, Malgosia Tetiurka and other world-renowned and published ELT experts
- leads to a Master’s award, or other internationally recognised postgraduate qualifications, accredited by The University of Chichester
- is designed to fit around your working life
- ensures that you are equipped for the next step on your career path
- offers a choice of specialist electives.
- is available in a ‘start-any-time’ model, with a range of face-to-face, online and blended modes of learning
Designed for you
The MAPDLE has been offered now for over 20 years and was designed specifically for working professionals, to be affordable, accessible and flexible. It offers high levels of personal choice and control over the routes followed and the timing of modules. It is also eligible for EU funding support. So far over 700 teachers and trainers from 40 countries have followed the NILE MA.
The MAPDLE has always been available in a blended learning mode, but you can now choose to study an extended range of modules entirely online. You can also decide to opt for one or more short, intensive periods of face-to-face delivery, either in Norwich or in one of our accredited centres in Latin America and Switzerland. Each module is followed by a six-month period in which to complete post-course assignments with the distance support of the course tutor. You can complete the MA programme to fit in with other professional and personal demands on your time over a period of up to six years.
Designed by leading educationalists
The NILE MA has been designed and developed by a team with years of experience and internationally recognised expertise in TESOL and international language education to ensure that it provides the knowledge and skills needed both by individuals and by institutions involved in the learning and teaching of languages. It is subject to regular review and updating.
Fast track opportunities
If you already have an initial degree and the Cambridge Delta or Trinity Diploma in TESOL, you will be exempt from the core module, Language Teaching Methodology. We may also recognise other prior learning, certificated and/or experiential, that you mention on your application form.
| Module | Start |
Method of Delivery (face-to-face in Norwich unless otherwise stated) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Module - 60 credits | ||
| Language Teaching Methodology (MALTM) | July 2020 | Face-to-face |
| February 2020 | Face-to-face Argentina | |
| August 2020 | Face-to-face Switzerland | |
| January 2020, September 2020 | Online | |
|
Elective Modules 2018 - 30 credits each |
||
| Content and Language Integrated Learning (MACLIL) | August 2020 | Face-to-face |
| April 2020 | Online | |
| Developing Learner Autonomy (MADLA) | Continuous enrolment | Online |
| Management in Language Education (MAMILE) | July 2020 | Face-to-face |
| January 2020, April 2020, September 2020 | Online | |
| Materials Development for Language Education (MAMAT) | August 2020 | Face-to-face |
| January 2020, April 2020, September 2020 | Online | |
| Teaching Young Learners (MATYL) | July 2020 | Face-to-face |
| September 2020 | Online | |
| Technology Assisted Language Learning (MATALL) | July 2020 | Face-to-face |
| January 2020 | Online | |
| Teaching English for Academic Purposes (MATEAP) | August 2020 | Face-to-face |
| April 2020 | Online | |
| Testing, Evaluation and Assessment (MATEA) | August 2020 | Face-to-face |
| January 2020, April 2020, September 2020 | Online | |
| Trainer Development (MATD) | July 2020 | Face-to-face |
| January 2020, April 2020, September 2020 | Online | |
|
Final Module - 60 credits |
||
| Dissertation (MADISS) | Continuous enrolment | Distance supervision |
|
15,000 words, applying the knowledge and skills acquired on the course. The dissertation is an obligatory module for completion of the MA and is supervised at distance. |
||
| Overview | ||
| MAPDLE Dates & Fees 2020 | ||
| Online courses by date | ||
| Overseas modules | ||
To apply for the MA in Professional Development for Language Education, please contact registrar@nile-elt.com.
MA Programme Fees
| Course | GBP (£) |
|---|---|
| Core Module (Language Teaching Methodology) | 2,300.00 |
| Elective Modules (x2) | 1,150.00 each |
| Dissertation | 2,300.00 |
| Total cost (in 2020 prices) | 6,900.00 |
| Please note: All modules starting after 1 September 2020 may be subject to a fee increase | |
MAPDLE tutors
Dave Allan, Philip Ball, Griselda Beacon, Briony Beaven, Rod Bolitho, Mary Carney, Antonia Clare, Martyn Clarke, Gavin Dudeney, Claudia Ferradas, Kate Gregson, Andy Hockley, Huw Jarvis, Thom Kiddle, Alan Mackenzie, Sandie Mourão, Tony Prince, Alan Pulverness, Laura Renart, Carole Robinson, Jason Skeet, Simon Smith, Russell Stannard, Johanna Stirling, Malgosia Tetiurka, Anna Whinnett, Jon Wright
Meher Ben Lakhdhar, Oman
Yazan Brahim, Tunisia
Speak to an advisor +44 (0) 1603 664473
Need advice? Contact us
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an MA course cost?
The course costs are indicated in the Dates & Fees section on the course details page for each individual module.
What are the MA entry requirements?
In addition to a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, applicants need to have one of the following to be eligible for MAPDLE:
i. An undergraduate honours degree
ii. A Postgraduate Diploma
iii. Other awards offering comparable levels of knowledge and understanding
If you do not meet these requirements, please contact the Registrar for advice.
Access to current language learners for classroom investigation is necessary for candidates who take the core MALTM module, and for some electives (MADLA, MATYL, MATALL , MACLIL). Access to current language learners is useful but not required for the Dissertation and for the other electives (MAMAT, MATEA, MAMILE, MATEAP, MATD).
Do I have to enrol for the whole MA programme?
Yes, you do need to enrol for the whole programme, but you enrol and pay for each module within it separately, according to your individual needs. There are then two possible exit points where you can withdraw from the programme with a ‘contained award’: a Postgraduate Certificate (after gaining 60 credits) or a Postgraduate Diploma (after gaining 120 credits). The Core module counts for 60 credits and the elective modules count for a further 30 credits each.
Do I have to start with the Core module?
Normally, yes, though in special circumstances it may be possible to start with one of the elective modules. If you already have an initial degree and the Cambridge Delta or Trinity Diploma in TESOL, you will be exempt from the Core module.
Should I do an MA or Delta programme?
This depends very much on your personal career objectives. The Delta is a much more practical teaching qualification than most Masters courses, but if you are thinking of doing the Delta first and then going on to do a Masters, it is worth noting that a Pass in all three Delta modules can be accepted by the University of Chichester as Accreditation of Prior Learning, counting for 60 credits and giving you exemption from the core module of NILE’s MA. NILE has created a video that tells you more about choosing between the MA & the Delta.
How much time do I need to spend on a face-to-face MA module?
All face-to-face elective module courses are 50 hours long, over a period of 2 weeks . You may receive up to 3 hours per week homework as well. You have 6 months from the end of the course to write 3 assignments. This should take you approximately 250 hours.
If you take the MA LTM module (Core Module) face-to-face this is 75 hours long, over a period of 3 weeks. As with the elective modules, you may receive up to 3 hours per week homework as well. You have 6 months from the end of the course to write 3 assignments. This should take you approximately 525 hours.
How much time do I need to spend on an online MA module?
Most online elective module courses last 8 weeks, and have an additional mid-course break of one week. You will need to study approximately 7-8 hours per week. You have 6 months from the end of the course to write 3 assignments. This should take you approximately 250 hours.
If you take the MA LTM module (Core Module) online, this last 14 weeks, and has an additional mid-course break of one week. You will need to study approximately 7-8 hours per week. You have 6 months from the end of the course to write 3 assignments. This should take you approximately 525 hours.
How are written assignments supervised? How much feedback can I expect?
You can submit each meaningful section of an assignment for feedback, plus one final draft of the whole assignment. In addition, supervisors will also be available to respond to incidental queries between submissions.
When can I start the dissertation? How long do I have to complete it?
After you have successfully completed the Core Module and two elective modules, you may register to do the Dissertation Module (which counts for the final 60 credits). Once you have registered, you have 3 months in which to submit your Proposal. You should advise the Programme Leader of the proposed area or title for the Dissertation, and you will then be allocated a tutor who will help you prepare the Proposal. After you have approval to proceed, you then have 60 weeks in which to write and submit the Dissertation.
What does a dissertation proposal involve?
The Proposal should include a working title and an outline plan plus methodology, and should suggest sources and a basic bibliography. Your Proposal is then considered by Chichester, who will authorise it or suggest amendments. Once you have received formal approval to proceed with the Dissertation, you will be allocated a Supervisor (who may be the same person who helped you prepare the Proposal) and you will begin communicating with them and receive their support throughout the process of researching and writing the Dissertation.
Where can I take face-to-face MA modules?
All face-to-face modules are available in Norwich, UK. In addition, we run face-to-face modules in accredited host venues in Latin America and Switzerland. See our MA Overseas page for more.