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Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)

Graduate Diploma
(Postgraduate)

Provides the sound theoretical foundation and practical skills needed for a career in language teaching or other related work in educational contexts in Singapore or overseas.

Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)


Overview

The Graduate Diploma and Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are advanced academic graduate programmes that provide the sound theoretical foundation and practical skills needed for a career in language teaching or other related work in educational contexts in Singapore or overseas.

The programmes cater to the needs of those currently working as language teachers, those who plan to work as language teachers in the future, and those who simply have a passion for language learning/teaching and would like to pursue further education in this field.

Unique Features of the Programme

  • Curriculum suitable for language teachers of different backgrounds (from the public school system and tertiary institutions to the private sector such as international schools, language/enrichment centres)
  • Emphasis on developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in teaching methodology and curriculum development suitable for the various TESOL contexts in Singapore as well as overseas
  • Experienced and highly-qualified local and international faculty
  • Flexibility of blended learning, with face-to-face seminars, online recorded lectures and other e-learning tools
  • Options to do all coursework (or) coursework and a project with individual supervision

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; therefore applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early.

Admission Requirements

Refer to general admission criteria for graduate programmes.

In addition, applicants will need to meet these minimum requirements:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in English Studies, Linguistics, Education or related field from a recognised institution. Applicants with other qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Language requirements for applicants whose Bachelor's degree is not in English Studies or Linguistics:
    • An excellent score in the English Proficiency Assessment to be conducted by Singapore University of Social Sciences
  • Additional language requirements for applicants whose native language or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English:
    • TOEFL PBT > 580, with (preferably) a TWE of 5, or
    • TOEFL iBT >85, with a minimum of 22 in writing, or
    • IELTS > 6.5, with no sub-score below 6, or
    • PTE Academic score of 58, or
    • C1 Advanced score of 180.

IELTS/TOEFL score must be obtained within the last 2 years at point of application.

This programme is currently unable to take in international students, i.e., you must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or a resident in Singapore (e.g., Employment Pass holder) in order to apply for admission.

Financial Assistance

Concession

To encourage further education and upgrading by alumni, SUSS offers the following course fee concessions to SUSS alumni.

  • Course Fee Concession - Eligible SUSS graduates can enjoy 20% course fee concession and an additional 30% course fee concession for the first two courses.

  • ACE Scheme - SUSS graduates from January 2022 semester onwards will enjoy two free modular courses (up to 10 credit units) to be taken within 3 years after graduation.

Sponsorships

SUSS offers a number of Sponsorships in recognition of excellent academic achievements, leadership qualities and special talents and contributions to new and continuing students. Please click here for more detail.

Programme Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programme (30 credit units or cu) consists of six courses. The MA in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programme (60 cu) consists of 30 cu of core courses and 30 cu of elective courses. All courses are 5 cu unless stated otherwise.

ProgStruc MATSL

Courses can also be taken individually as Graduate Modular Courses, via SUSS Academy. For more information on Graduate Modular Courses, please click here.

The Graduate Diploma and Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programmes are suitable for:

  • Candidates who wish to pursue graduate training and a fulfilling career in English language teaching, including those considering a mid-career switch to English language teaching, either in Singapore or overseas
  • All teachers of different backgrounds (from the public school system and tertiary institutions to the private sector such as international schools, language/enrichment centres)
  • Both experienced and novice language instructors or administrators and professionals working in various education-related contexts

Graduates can look forward to a fulfilling career in language teaching and language curriculum/programme management in public schools, private schools, tertiary institutions, etc.

  1. Aren't Applied Linguistics and TESOL two different subjects?
    Applied Linguistics and TESOL/language teaching are closely interrelated, with each informing the other in terms of theories and practice. By tradition, Applied Linguistics has a more disciplinary content focus. Our Graduate Diploma and MA in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) programmes make a value-add to a study in Applied Linguistics by incorporating a more practical and skill-based focus (TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers to Other Languages).

    For more information on our courses, please take a look at the course summaries in our website.

  2. How many intakes are there in a year for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) – GDTSL – programme?
    Two intakes a year (Jan and Jul semester).

  3. What are the minimum and maximum durations of the GDTSL programme?
    The minimum duration is 1 year and the maximum duration is 2 years.

  4. How many courses do students take up each semester?
    Students are recommended to complete 2 to 3 courses per semester..

  5. When are the lessons scheduled?
    In general, lessons are scheduled on weekday evenings from 7pm to 10pm.

  6. After completing the GDTSL requirements, am I allowed to proceed to the Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) – MATSL – without a gap semester?
    Yes, after completing the GDTSL requirements, if you have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0, you can proceed to do the MATSL immediately in the following semester.

  7. Will Singapore University of Social Sciences' Graduate Diploma and MA programmes certify candidates to teach?
    Our programmes do not certify our candidates as teachers. However, they do provide the knowledge and skills needed to teach, should the candidates choose to do so.

  8. Is the GDTSL stackable towards other Master’s programmes at SUSS?
    The GDTSL is stackable towards the MATSL - Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (TESOL), the Master of Social Sciences or the Master of Early Childhood Education (TESOL track). Those who choose to stack the GDTSL towards the Master of Social Sciences or the Master of Early Childhood Education (TESOL track) may need to undergo an admission interview and/or meet the additional requirements.

  9. What happens if I do not complete the graduate programmes (e.g. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master) within the candidature period? Can I apply to take the remaining courses via CET pathway?
    Students who have not completed their graduate programmes within the stipulated candidature period will not be eligible for the award of the qualification for such graduate programmes. Such students however may apply to take, via the CET pathway, the remaining courses which they did not complete under their graduate programmes as part of their personal learning and development . Such application will be subjected to the CET admission requirement. However, as such students have exceeded the candidature period for their graduate programmes, they will not be awarded the qualification for such graduate programmes even after taking and completing the remaining courses via the CET pathway (“Condition”).

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COURSE, IS ONE OF THE COURSES UNDER A GRADUATE PROGRAMME. THEREFORE, APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS COURSE, THE APPLICANT AGREES TO BE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION.
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