Course Title

THESIS

Course Code

THES491438

Credit

9

Program Level

Program

Instruction Language

Applicable for TESOL Program

Requirement in TESOL Program

Semester in TESOL Program

8

Overview

The course is designed to outline the steps of a thesis design and supervise students through the process of conducting and presenting a research project. Students are required to demonstrate research knowledge and understanding of second language research methods through an original research project on a significant topic in the field. This project will involve shaping a research focus, formulating research questions, developing data collecting instruments, analysing data in coherent qualitative and/or quantitative models, and discussing and highlighting findings relevant to the field of second language teaching and learning. Each student will work with a personal thesis supervisor, with the final approval of the thesis being given by the thesis committee. The thesis must be presented at a public oral defence. The structure of a thesis generally includes six primary components, namely the introduction to the problem and research focus in a setting, the literature review, the research methodology, summary of results, discussion of the findings, and recommendations for further research.

Objectives

Goals

Goal description

G1

Knowledge of structure, requirements of content, format and the basic steps in the thesis process at undergraduate level.

G2

Ability to collect and analyze collected data, discuss and interpret findings of the graduation thesis.

G3

Effective communication and teamwork skills related to forming structures, expressing content related to graduation thesis.

G4

Ability to design a detailed proposal, questionnaire/interview, and complete the graduation thesis at undergraduate level

Learning Outcomes

CLOs

Descriptions

After finishing this course, students are able to

ELO(s)

/PI(s)

Course Competency Level

CLO1

Identify a contextual or theoretical problem for a research focus in EFL education

PI 11.3

4

CLO2

Analyse the relevant concepts for the operationalization of a study

PI 6.5

4

CLO3

Design research objectives and research questions

PI 6.5

6

CLO4

Evaluate the literature relevant to the research focus

PI 4.2

4

CLO5

Develop the research design and instruments

PI 6.5

6

CLO6

Analyse the data collected from the study

PI 6.5

5

CLO7

Analyse the findings generated from the study

PI 6.5

5

CLO8

Make relevant recommendations to the area of English language teaching and learning

PI 10.3

4

CLO9

Apply the academic conventions in the research report

PI 4.3

6

CLO10

Communicating research work with professional communities in a collegial manner

PI 8.3

5

Materials

There is no set material for this course as it should vary from topic to topic. Students are required to identify the body of literature that they need for their own research and discuss with their supervisors for more concrete suggestions. They are also encouraged to establish academic connections with researchers and experts of the field for further consultations and actual involvement in the academic activities of relevant professional communities. The journals listed below can be used as a start.

  • Annual Review of Applied Linguistics
  • International Journal of Applied Linguistics
  • International Review of Applied Linguistics
  • Language Learning & Technology
  • Language Teaching
  • Studies in Second Language Acquisition
  • The Canadian Modern Language Review
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Language Learning
  • Language Teaching Research
  • Second Language Research
  • System
  • TESOL Quarterly
  • The Modern Language Journal

Assessment

Assessment matrix

No.

Content

CLOs

Course Competency Level

Assignment

Evaluation Criteria

Weighting

1

Identify a contextual or theoretical problem for a research focus in EFL education

1

4

Thesis

Rubric

40%

2

Analyse the relevant concepts for the operationalization of a study

2

4

Thesis

Rubric

3

Design research objectives and research questions

3

6

Thesis

Rubric

4

Evaluate the literature relevant to the research focus

4

4

Thesis

Rubric

5

Develop the research design and instruments

5

6

Thesis

Rubric

6

Analyse the data collected from the study

6

5

Thesis

Rubric

40%

7

Analyse the findings generated from the study

7

5

Thesis

Rubric

8

Make relevant recommendations to the area of English language teaching and learning

8

4

Thesis

Rubric

9

Apply the academic conventions in the research report

9

6

Thesis

Rubric

20%

10

Communicating research work with professional communities in a collegial manner

10

5

Oral Presentation

Rubric