Master of Arts Program

in English Language Teaching (English Program)

Language Institute, Thammasat University
(Revised 2020)
1. Academic Program

The Master of Arts Program in English Language Teaching (English Program)

2. Degree Offered

Master of Arts (English Language Teaching)

M.A. (English Language Teaching)

3. Objectives

Upon completion of the program, graduates will:

1. be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of and expertise in the English

language, linguistics, applied linguistics, language teaching theories, teaching
methodology, and research methodology, and also apply them in their professional
practice.

2. be able to apply their knowledge in their professional practice and to conduct research to
contribute to innovation and development in the field of ELT.

3. have high professional ethics and standards.

4. Admission

1. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any field of study from a local
or foreign institution recognized by the Thammasat University Council.

2. Applicants must meet one of the following minimum English language requirements: a
TU-GET (Paper-based) score of 550, TU-GET (Computer-based) score of 79, a TOEFL
Paper-based score of 550, a TOEFL Internet-based score of 79, a TOEFL ITP (Institutional
Testing Program) score of 550, or an IELTS band of 6.5.

3. Applicants must also successfully pass an English language entrance examination and
an interview in English.

4. Applicants must fulfill the Graduate Studies requirements as promulgated in Thammasat

University Regulations 2018.
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5. Academic System

1. The M.A. Program in English Language Teaching is an English program in which

English is the medium of instruction.

2. The academic year is divided into two 16-week semesters and a summer semester in the
first year of the study :
Pre-Course: June – July
First semester: August – December
Second semester: January – May
Summer semester: June – early August

3. Courses are offered on weekends:

Saturdays and Sundays (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

4. There are two options available:

Plan A Plan A consists of course work and a thesis.

Plan B Plan B consists of course work, a comprehensive examination (both

oral and written exams), and an independent study instead of a thesis.

5.1 Plan A: Thesis

1. Students may register for a thesis after they have completed 21 credits of the
compulsory courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

2. A thesis must be written in English.

3. Students must meet the foreign language requirement or pass a foreign language test
with a grade of “P” (pass) as required by Thammasat University Regulations for Graduate
Students (2018) before they are allowed to defend their thesis.

4. The process of preparing to carry out a thesis for Plan A must follow the Regulations of
Thammasat University concerning Master’s Thesis Writing.

5.2 Plan B: Independent Study and Comprehensive Examination

1. Students may register for independent study after they have completed 30 credits of the
compulsory courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

2. An independent study must be written in English.

3. Students are qualified to take the comprehensive examination after having completed 39
credits and finished at least four chapters of the independent study, with a cumulative GPA
of at least 3.00.

4. Students must meet the foreign language requirement or pass a foreign language test
with a grade of “P” (Pass) as required by Thammasat University Regulations for Graduate
Students (2018) before they are allowed to take the comprehensive examination.
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5. Both oral and written comprehensive examinations are offered three times during each
academic year.

6. A student may take the comprehensive examination a maximum of three times. Failure
to pass the comprehensive examination on the third attempt will result in dismissal from
the university.

6. Duration of Study

The minimum study period is 5 regular semesters, and the maximum study period must not
exceed 10 regular semesters.

7. Registration

1. Registration is governed by Thammasat University Graduate School regulations, 2018

Master of Arts Program section, “Number 10: Registration”.

2. Students from other faculties may take courses in this program with permission of the
Language Institute Graduate Committee.

8. Grading System and Graduation

8.1 Grading System

1. Academic performance is evaluated as follows:

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F
Grade point 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.00 0.00

2. Only credit courses with grades of S (Satisfactory) or at least a C will be counted for
graduation. However, the GPA and cumulative GPA will be computed from all courses
taken including those for which the student received a D or F.

3. Students who receive a grade of U, D, or F in any compulsory course are allowed the
opportunity to repeat that particular course. Failure to get an S or at least a C on the second
attempt will result in dismissal from the university.

Students who receive a grade of U, D, or F in an elective course may choose to either

retake that particular course for a better grade or register for any other elective courses
offered.

Students may not repeat for credit any course for which a passing grade (C or better) had
already been awarded.

4. For Plan A, the thesis is given a grade of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory).

A thesis awarded with a grade of “S” is equivalent to passing and will be counted for
graduation.
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5. For Plan B, the comprehensive examination is given a grade of P (Pass) or N (Not

pass). A comprehensive examination awarded a grade of “P” is equivalent to passing and
will be counted for graduation.

6. The Foundation course (TE 600) and the Foreign Language Test are graded P (Pass) or
N (Not Pass).

7. Other requirements must comply with the Graduate Studies section of Thammasat
University Regulations 2018.

8.2 Graduation

Students who graduate from this program must have:

1. earned 39 credits under either Plan A or B;

2. achieved a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.00;

3. received a P in the Foundation course (TE 600) and the foreign language test as required
by the university;

4. received an S for the thesis in Plan A or received a P for the Independent Study in Plan
B;

5. had part of the thesis (Plan A) or the independent study (Plan B) published in a journal
or academic publication, or presented the thesis or the independent study in an academic
conference with published proceedings;

6. satisfied other requirements in compliance with Thammasat University Regulations for

Graduate Students (2018).

9. Place of study

Classes are normally conducted in the Language Institute Building on the Tha Prachan
campus of Thammasat University.

10. Library

Students may check out books and use the services at Thammasat University’s Central
Library, the MA-ELT library, and various Thammasat University faculty libraries that offer
a wide range of books and journals.
Students are also eligible to use the central libraries at any other university, the National
Library, the British Council Library, the AUA Library and the Government Document
Center.
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11. Expenses

The MA-ELT program is self-sustaining. The fees for the normal two-year program are
approximately Bht 206,420 for students who are Thai nationals and Bht 273,920 for
international students.

12. Curriculum

Total requirements 39 credits

Curriculum Structure

Plan A (Thesis) Plan B (Non-Thesis)

Foundation course 3 credits* (non-academic) 3 credits* (non-academic)
Compulsory courses 18 credits 21 credits
Elective courses 9 credits 12 credits
Thesis 12 credits --
Independent study -- 6 credits
Total 39 credits 39 credits
* The 3 credits for the Foundation Course do not contribute to the 39 academic credits required for
graduation.

12.1 Course Numbering System

The first two letters of a course designation (TE) represent the Master’s Degree Program in
English Language Teaching.

The course listings are identified by “TE” followed by three numbers explained below:

The first number represents curriculum progression:

6 represents primary courses
7 represents specialized courses and self-study
8 represents thesis

The middle number represents course content:

0 represents language skills and research methodologies
1-4 represents language teaching theories and practices
5-8 represents linguistics and applied linguistics
9 represents self-study

The last number represents required and elective courses:

0-5 represents compulsory courses
6-9 represents elective courses
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12.2 Foundation Course

TE 600 Academic English and Research Skill Development (Non-academic credit)

Note: A student will be exempted from TE 600 Academic English and Research Skill
Development by obtaining a minimum of one of the following scores:
- TU-GET (Computer-based): 114
- TU-GET (Paper-based): 900
- TOEFL Internet-based test: 114
- TOEFL Paper-based test: 650
- IELTS band: 8.5

12.3 Compulsory courses

Plan A (Thesis): 6 courses 18 credits

Plan B (Non thesis): 7 courses 21 credits

Compulsory courses for Plans A and B:

TE 601 Quantitative Research Methodology in ELT 3 credits

TE 602 Qualitative Research Methodology in ELT 3 credits
TE 610 ELT Methodology 3 credits
TE 617 Language Testing and Assessment 3 credits
TE 650 Second Language Acquisition 3 credits
TE 651 Linguistics for English Language Teachers 3 credits

Plan B students must take one more compulsory course:

TE 710 Practicum in ELT 3 credits

12.4 Elective courses

Plan A (Thesis): Choice of 3 courses 9 credits

Plan B (Non-thesis): Choice of 4 courses 12 credits

Plans A and B students may choose electives from the following courses or from the
courses offered in the Master of Arts Program in Career English for International
Communication.

12.4.1 Elective Courses in MA ELT Program

1) Courses in Theories and Practices in English Language Teaching

TE 616 Teaching English for Specific Purposes 3 credits

TE 620 Instructional Media and Materials Development for ELT 3 credits
TE 621 Teacher Professional Development in ELT Context 3 credits
TE 627 ELT Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 credits
TE 628 Internet Technology in ELT 3 credits
TE 716 Seminar in ELT 3 credits
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2) Courses in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics for EFL Teachers

TE 656 Psycholinguistics for English Language Teachers 3 credits

TE 657 Sociolinguistics for English Language Teachers 3 credits
TE 658 English Discourse Analysis 3 credits
TE 659 Corpus Linguistics and English Language Analysis 3 credits
TE 667 Experimental Semantics and Pragmatics 3 credits
TE 668 Syntax for English Teachers 3 credits
TE 670 Second Language Phonology in ELT 3 credits

12.4.2 Elective Courses in MA in Career English for International Communication

CR 601 Effective Models of Communication 3 credits

CR 602 Written Business Communication 3 credits
CR 603 Reading Skill Enhancement 3 credits
CR 604 Effective English Presentations 3 credits
CR 656 English for the Media 3 credits
CR 657 English for Tourism and Hospitality 3 credits
CR 658 English for Legal Purposes 3 credits
CR 756 English for International Business 3 credits
CR 757 English for Entrepreneurship 3 credits
CR 758 Translation Principles for Careers 3 credits
CR 616 English Pronunciation for International Communication* 3 credits
CR 617 Global Englishes and Intercultural Communication 3 credits
CR 716 Sociocultural Aspects of English* 3 credits
CR 726 Principles of Effective English Public Speaking 3 credits
CR 736 Multimodal and Creative Writing in the Digital Age 3 credits
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13. Academic Plan

Foundation Course (offered in June – July before the beginning of the first semester)
TE 600 Academic English and Research Skill Development
(Non-academic credit)
First Year
Plan A (Thesis) Plan B (Non thesis)
First Semester First Semester
TE 601 Quantitative Research Methodology TE 601 Quantitative Research Methodology
in ELT 3 credits in ELT 3 credits
TE 650 Second Language Acquisition TE 650 Second Language Acquisition
3 credits 3 credits
TE 651 Linguistics Foundations for English TE 651 Linguistics Foundations for English
Language Teachers 3 credits Language Teachers 3 credits
Total 9 credits Total 9 credits
Second Semester Second Semester
TE 602 Qualitative Research Methodology TE 602 Qualitative Research Methodology
in ELT 3 credits in ELT 3 credits
TE 610 ELT Methodology 3 credits TE 610 ELT Methodology 3 credits
TE 617 Language Testing and 3 credits TE 617 Language Testing and 3 credits
Assessment Assessment
Total: 9 credits Total: 9 credits

Summer (First Year)

Plan A (Thesis) Plan B (Non thesis)

1 Elective course 3 credits 1 Elective course 3 credits

First Year Total: 3 credits First Year Total: 3 credits

Second Year
Plan A (Thesis) Plan B (Non thesis)
First Semester First Semester
TE 800 Thesis 3 credits TE 710 Practicum in ELT 3 credits
2 Elective courses 6 credits 2 Elective courses 6 credits
Total 9 credits Total 9 credits
Second Semester Second Semester
TE 800 Thesis 9 credits TE 790 Independent Study 6 credits
1 Elective course 3 credits
Second Year Total: 9 credits Second Year Total: 9 credits

Summer (Second Year)

Plan A (Thesis) Plan B (Non thesis)

Thesis Defense Comprehensive exam