The programme aims to provide suitably qualified graduates with the opportunity to examine the phenomenon of multilingualism in the context of individual language use and practices, as well its impact and implications in education, contemporary society and various regions of the world.

Topics explored on the programme are: multilingualism in education; multilingualism in urban contexts; global perspectives on multilingualism, and researching multilingualism.

In addition, the programme provides an overview of the unique theoretical, philosophical, and ethical principles which underpin academic research that contains a language and linguistic focus.

The MA Multilingualism at UEL provides:

• A flexible credit based programme leading towards a higher degree which explores multilingualism in a wide variety of global settings
• An opportunity for participants, where relevant, to draw on and share their own experiences of multilingualism – whether direct or indirect
• An opportunity for participants from a wide range of countries and varied educational contexts to meet and exchange ideas
• The option of exit awards at certificate and diploma level
• The opportunity to choose one of four optional modules from the MA English Language Teaching (ELT) Programme also offered by the Cass School of Education.

1. Application form and references
2. A first degree or equivalent in the Social Sciences or Humanities (e.g. Languages, English, Education, Psychology, etc.)

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 6.5 (with at least a minimum score of 6 in all components) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Participants that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have met the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The MA Multilingualism consists of four modules which retain a consistent focus on the multilingualism phenomenon in a variety of contexts, which include classroom, global and urban perspectives. The fourth is a research module which will equip participants with the theoretical and practical knowledge required to design and conduct a research project on an aspect of multilingualism, which will form the basis of the MA dissertation.

Although participants are generally urged to select the modules that feature on the Programme described in the preceding paragraph, one of four options from the MA English Language Teaching (ELT) is available in place of the Programme’s optional module – EDM 401 Multilingualism in Urban Contexts – in Semester A. The available options from the MA ELT are:

• EDM 600 Language Systems and Language Skills
• EDM 601 Second Language Acquisition and ELT
• EDM 602 Methodology and Materials in ELT
• EDM 603 ELT and its Contexts

The programme is designed to be flexible and participants may opt to begin in September (Semester A) or February (Semester B). The MA is full-time over one year, although some participants may wish to study part-time – in which case modules may be spread over six years in consultation with the programme leader.

Participants who leave the programme having accumulated 60 credits by completing two modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. Participants who leave the programme having accumulated 120 credits by completing four modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. The MA Multilingualism is awarded to participants who have accumulated 180 credits by completing all four modules and the dissertation.

The programme is delivered in taught session and seminar format and aims to promote collaborative learning. Thus taught sessions and seminars encourage group discussions which provide participants with the opportunity to pool experiences, share problems and solutions, and discuss issues raised in lectures in the light of their own practice. To facilitate this collaborative aspect of the learning all participants are encouraged to form study groups. Secondly, supported self-study is fostered through the writing of individual module assignments, and through independent research which is negotiated with guidance from the tutor, facilitated by online resources made available on the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), UELplus. Thirdly, reflective learning is encouraged through the use of self-reflection tasks which accompany all written assignments. In these, participants are asked to reflect critically on their learning, the strategies they use to facilitate this, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their own work. Finally, students will be able to contact and communicate with tutors and fellow participants via email and UELplus.

Due to the practical nature of the programme there are no examinations assessment is by dissertation and the written assignments for each module. All modules are assessed by assignment(s) with a combined word count of 5,000 words. Assignments vary in form and may include essays, book/article reviews, creation and evaluation of dual langauge pedagogic materials, and small scale research projects.

The research module, ‘ETM 723 Research Methodologies in Education and Professional Practice’, is integral to the success of the dissertation in that its written assignment takes the form of a critique of literature and draft dissertation proposal, which may be modified in consultation with the dissertation supervisor, and against which the final dissertation will be considered.

The dissertation is a major piece of work and consists of 14,000 words, excluding appendices and bibliography.

The programme is aimed at suitably qualified graduates, education professionals working in the early years, primary, secondary and adult education sectors, consultants working in education and children’s services, language consultants, translators, as well as youth and social workers. Thus the module ‘EDM 400 Multilingualism in Education’ is concerned exclusively with multilingualism in educational contexts and the module ‘EDM 401 Multilingualism in Urban Contexts’ examines minority language use in urban settings. ‘EDM 402 Global Perspectives on Multilingualism’ provides a historical and socio-political overview of multilingualism in global, non-European contexts. In addition, the ‘ETM723 Research Methodologies in Education and Professional Practice' module provides participants with a strong theoretical and practical understanding of research methods appropriate to language research.

The final dissertation provides students with an opportunity to investigate a specific field of study in depth. Participants are required to liaise closely with their supervisor in the design of their study and engage with the demands of independent research at the implementation and writing up stages.

At the start of the dissertation module, participants will have completed the project proposal (as part of the assessment in the ‘EDM 403 Researching Multilingualism’ module) and should be in a position to proceed to the implementation stage of their research. In addition to initial workshops on dissertation writing, a minimum of six hours tutorial time is available, with the option of further tutorial time being allocated as required. Formative feedback will be provided on one draft of each section of the dissertation.

The Cass School of Education has an established range of undergraduate programmes in related areas – English Language, Education Studies, Education and Community. The MA Multilingualism will allow academic progression for those who meet the criteria and wish to advance their study in the area. Participants on the programme are encouraged to develop their own research interests and, where appropriate, to take these to doctoral level.

The MA Multilingualism is delivered by experienced academics who are currently engaged in research and publication in the field. The programme content therefore, reflects current research and thinking on all aspects of multilingualism that are explored in the taught sessions, and the dissertation module.

Students pursuing the MA Multilingualism also have the opportunity to meet with students on the MA ELT at the Language and Linguistics research seminars, as well as sharing the modules available on the MA ELT (see Programme Structure above). The shared MA ELT modules can also be studied by distance learning online, thus providing participants on the MA Multilingualism the opportunity for a degree of blended learning.  Additionally, students will have the opportunity to study and work with other MA students in the School in the research methods module, 'ETM723 Research Methodologies in Education and Professional Practice', which is attended by all participants on the following programmes: MA Education, MA Early Childhood Studies, MA Youth and Community Work, MA Special Education Needs, and MA ELT.

All participants are given support to publish their work in professional and academic journals, and to present their work at conferences.

The programme will equip those candidates who wish to pursue a career in a field that incorporates a language or multilingual dimension.

• The programme will also facilitate those candidates who are considering a career in teaching or consultancy, educational journalism, language consultancy and translation, or youth and social work. 
• The programme will also equip those who are interested in pursuing an academic career in the field of multilingualism or sociolinguistics, or who wish eventually to embark on a PhD with essential research and analytical skills.

The programme leader and module tutors aim to maintain close contact with MA Multilingualism students.

All participants will be allocated a personal tutor who will provide general guidance in supporting and monitoring students’ academic progress. Such guidance and monitoring may be undertaken in face-to-face discussions, or online via email or the University’s virtual learning environment, UELplus. Participants will be introduced to their personal tutor at the beginning of the programme and will be encouraged to contact their tutor thereafter as the need arises. On personal matters affecting academic performance e.g. illness, family difficulties affecting studies, etc., participants will be referred to their personal tutor.

In the final semester of the programme, the dissertation supervisor will also provide further academic support.

The Student Handbook also aims to make participants aware of ways in which they can help themselves and support each other e.g. by meeting informally to discuss problems they may be having. In this way it is hoped that participants can help motivate and encourage one another as they progress through the programme.

Participants are provided with guidance on appropriate academic conventions, bibliography, and referencing via UELPlus – the name given to UEL’s virtual learning environment. Students also have access to the Student Handbook and Module Guides. For non-academic matters they can contact the programme administrator who will advise them accordingly.

The programme allows participants from a variety of professional, research and academic backgrounds to meet and work with each other at UEL and to meet experienced professionals from a wide range of countries and very different educational contexts pursuing the MA Multilingualism. Such diversity of participation guarantees a rich learning environment in which students can exchange ideas and contribute to their deepening knowledge of the field.