by Yasemin Tezgiden
What should I do to apply for an MA/PhD degree?
Most graduate programs ask for a number of documents (transcripts, exam scores from ALES, IELTS, etc.) and qualifications (a certain score of GPA) before you apply for a graduate program. They also ask candidates to write a letter of intent and bring two or more reference letters. It would be wise to check their websites in advance for the criteria for application (who can apply), the deadlines and required documents (ALES, IELTS, etc.). The relevant information will usually be found in the websites of Institutes of Education or Institutes of Social Sciences (see http://sbe.metu.edu.tr/ for METU) responsible for running graduate programs in each university.
Why should I write a letter of intent?
Letter of intention is a crucial document indicating your academic thinking and writing skills. It shows your curiosity, willingness and dedication. It also demostrates whether you have a real desire to conduct academic studies. Therefore, in their letters of intent, candidates should outline the reasons for their desire to have an MA degree and their research interests. They should also indicate why they are a good candidate for an MA degree. For advice on how to write letter of intents, see:
http://www.awc.metu.edu.tr/handouts/Statement_of_Purpose_%28Letter_of_Intent%29.pdf
How to ask for a letter of reference?
To ask for letters of reference, first you should tell your professors what program you are applying for and your reasons for wanting to follow an MA degree in the specified program. Then you should ask them whether they would be kind enough to write a letter of reference for you. As they are usually very busy, you should talk to them two or three weeks in advance, not only a couple of days before the deadline. If they accept to write a letter for you, please ask them whether they need further information about the program you are applying for or on your academic background (in the form of a CV).
How to prepare for an MA degree in ELT?
A good MA candidate is a person who is competent in ELT methodology and testing, learning theories and research methodology. If you are not sure about your competency in these fields, what can you do?
1) Go back to your undergraduate course outlines and see the reading material. Some of the basic ELT books in the field are:
Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching (Richards and Rodgers),
The Practice of English Language Teaching (Jeremy Harmer),
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching (H. D. Brown),
Teaching by Principles (H. D. Brown),
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (Celce-Murcia),
Testing for Language Teachers (Hughes),
Second Language Acquisition (Rod Ellis – Oxford Introduction to Language Study Series),
Research Methods in Language Learning (David Nunan).
You could start reading some of them.
2) Browse major journals of ELT such as:
ELT Journal – http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/
Tesol Quarterly – http://www.tesol.org/read-and-publish/journals/tesol-quarterly
English Teaching Forum – http://americanenglish.state.gov/english-teaching-forum
3) Conduct library research on your research interests. See the MA theses conducted in the field (https://yoksis.yok.gov.tr/).
4) For polishing up what you already knew, see the following web pages:
http://oelp.uoregon.edu/shaping
http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/index.htm
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