I had myself enrolled in part time online (distance-learning) Masters in English Language in October 2007. Two modules were taught in the first year, namely, Structure of English and Second Language Acquisition. One needs to buy just one/two course books for each module and the rest of the supplementary reading is supplied via blackboard which is a big plus for me. Weekly assignments keep you on your toes. For the final assignment of each module, you are have the option of choosing from a couple of topics/ questions which is great as it gives you the flexibility to explore the topic you like. Tutor’s help is just an e-mail away. All the questions and queries are answered promptly and in great detail. Though it’s an online course, we’re also provided with tutors’ phone numbers just in case we may need to contact them. So far I’ve found the course to be interesting and enlightening and my teachers to be exceptionally helpful. On 13 June 2008, I had the opportunity to attend the Research Methodology Day in UWE which was very well organized and informative.
As a mature student in full time employment returning to education after many years, I have found the course challenging, but extremely pleasurable and indeed life changing. It has given me an insight into a vast area of literature and debates that I had no idea existed, thereby opening up a wide horizon of potential future research/study for me.
The teaching throughout the four modules was excellent with useful and encouraging comments provided promptly. Completing assignments for all of the modules to a regular schedule was not only a good discipline, but also provided continuity of understanding across the modules. I believe that this is important when time is of the essence, particularly with the large volume of reading required (and tangentially by inevitable curiosity). I was particularly pleased to know in advance the precise titles of each of the assignments for Text Analysis and Second Language Acquisition as this allowed me to be more flexible with my reading and writing, yet still meet the respective deadlines. Conversely, I also consider that because of the wider subject-matter of both the Structure of English and the Research Methods (in the early stages) they were better addressed by not knowing the assignment specifics until the lecture material was received. The lecture material itself (with its comprehensive referencing) in all modules was a useful guide to the essential and detailed reading required.
The course has given me the confidence and desire to study further in the field of linguistics (particularly forensic and historical); to undertake some voluntary teaching work in the areas of adult dyslexia and illiteracy; and to write for pleasure rather than for business purposes only.
I am very grateful to UWE for giving me the opportunity to participate the inaugural MA English Language distance learning programme and would unreservedly recommend the course to anyone with a passion to explore the beauty, yet unpredictability, of our most important communicative tool.
