The PG Certificate in ELT Materials Writing consists of three modules (60 credits) taken part time either on-campus or distance learning over one year. The three modules are:
ELT Changing Methodologies (Autumn semester)
This module is designed to give the TESOL practitioner an engagement with some of the key debates current in the profession, such as the place of the mother tongue in the classroom, the impact of corpus on language teaching, and current understandings of the learning process.
ELT Materials Writing (Spring semester)
This module explores different modes in which materials are generated for learners and engages with professional dialogue about the value and effectiveness of teaching resources. You will engage in small-scale market research and materials design projects and will connect with real-world projects in the ELT publishing industry.
Independent study: investigating practice (Summer semester)
This module provides you with an opportunity to engage in independent study/practice investigation of an approved topic relevant to the programme and is conducted under supervision with the prior approval of the Module Leader and Subject Coordinator. The independent study/practice investigation may be based on primary and/or secondary data.
Please note: as our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the list of modules you choose from may vary from that shown here.
Teaching and learning
- Evaluation of published materials and resources in group discussion (online or in class)
- Seminars to discuss and share the critical literature related to materials writing, conducted either face to face or online
- Micro-teaching materials in progress
- Peer review evaluation of materials in progress
- Observation of materials piloted by another teacher
- Presentation of materials in progress to an editorial board
- Private study of online networks, resources, readings
Specialist facilities
All ELT Writing Materials students will have access to dedicated materials written for potential authors by Teacher2Writer; an independent publisher based in Oxford and committed to the development of teachers to become materials writers.
Approach to assessment
The course is assessed through:
1. A formative report tracking the stages of materials development, including analysis of the needs of a chosen learner group; planning and developing first ideas; researching the background; comparing the market; insights gained through piloting; responses to student and peer feedback; analysis of the materials in relation to current research and current resources
2. The materials themselves highlighting the revisions at different stages, and the reasons for these revisions.
Sample work
Dr Jane Spiro and two of the student’s on the course talk to the editor of the MaWSIG blog (the IATEFL Materials Writing special interest group):
Training teachers to write materials on an MA TESOL
The trainee material writer’s perspective
ELT Writing Materials
The materials designed during this programme need to be piloted by another teacher in a learning/teaching context.
Attendance pattern
The course is flexible and can be completed online as well as on campus (Harcourt Hill). The on-campus timetable is currently as follows:
- ELT Changing Methodologies: Semester 1 and 2 (Sept-March), Wednesday 10:00-12:00
- ELT Materials Writing: Semester 2 (Jan-May), Tuesday 13:00-15.30
- Investigating practice: Semester 3 (May-July), Independent study
Distance learning – the programme can be achieved by part-time online learning through the use of our Moodle platform. For each module this usually requires about 12 hours a week plus time spent on assessment.
Programme changes
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published
on the website. For more information, please visit our
Changes to programmes
page.