Program Overview

MA Chinese - Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages

Overview

The MA Chinese - Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) programme aims to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and professional competencies required to teach Chinese effectively to speakers of other languages in a variety of contexts globally and in Ireland.

Course Outline

The programme combines theory with hands-on practice. Students will develop an understanding of key issues in teaching Chinese as a linguistic system to a variety of learners and become familiar with recent research and publications on theory and practice in teaching Chinese. Students will gain practical professional experience by engaging with in-class observation and practice teaching, and they will learn how to evaluate their own professional competence and that of others.

Programme Content

• Full-time students choose three modules in the Autumn semester and three in the Spring semester, with a dissertation completed over the summer months.
• Part I - Semester One
  • CH6301 A Linguistic Introduction to Chinese (10 credits)
  • LC1101 English for Academic Study (10 credits)
  • CH6302 Advanced Chinese for TCSOL Teachers (10 credits)
  • CH6303 Introduction to Teaching Practice (5 credits)
  • CH6307 From Pedagogical Theory to Effective Classroom (5 credits)
• Part I - Semester Two
  • CH6304 Teaching Practice Internship (15 credits)
  • CH6306 Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages: A Pedagogical Grammar (10 credits)
  • CH6308 Postgraduate Research Skills (5 credits)
• Part II - Semester Three
  • CH6305 Dissertation in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (30 credits)

Part-time Option

• Part-time students take the course over two years during weekday working hours. This part-time option is open only to Irish/EU students.
• In Year 1, students choose 35 credits of taught modules.
• In Year 2, students choose a further 10 credits of taught modules, 15 credits of teaching practice, and 30 credits for the dissertation.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

• This is a 12-month programme (24 months part-time).
• UCC semesters run from September to early December and January to March/early April, with 12 teaching weeks per semester.
• Taught modules are typically 3 hours per week in the classroom, while language modules will involve up to 6 hours per week.
• The teaching internship module involves periods of time in different teaching settings preparing and delivering classes and reflecting on your teaching style and effectiveness.

Assessment

• Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and formal exams.
• Students will be assessed in most cases by essays or other written assignments and by in-class presentations and other elements, including classroom observation and teaching practice reports relating to the practice elements.

Why Choose This Course

• The market for Chinese language teachers is expanding rapidly as China becomes increasingly active on the world stage and more and more people find themselves engaging with China.
• Reputable qualifications for Chinese language teachers, however, are thin on the ground.
• UCC’s Department of Asian Studies is Ireland’s only fully-fledged university School specialising in Asian languages and Area Studies, and UCC is in the top 2% of universities in the world.

Skills and Careers Information

• Chinese language learning among non-Chinese people is expanding all the time, and it’s a truly global market.
• This means that an MA TCSOL from UCC can be a passport to employment as a Chinese language teaching professional not just in Ireland but anywhere in the world.
• For those who already have experience teaching Chinese, the MA TCSOL offers a chance to consolidate understanding and develop specific skills and expertise.

Requirements

• Applicants should hold a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in a relevant subject area such as Chinese or Asian Studies.
• Applicants who are native speakers of Chinese should have a degree in the following disciplines areas: Chinese or Asian Studies, Linguistics, Education, Pedagogy, Foreign Languages, Literatures and Communication.
• Fluency in Chinese (minimum HSK level 5 or equivalent).

Fees and Costs

• See the Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
• Deposits: If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
• Fee payment: Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration, and the balance usually by the end of January.

How To Apply

1. Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage.
2. Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
   • Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
   • Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online: Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

• Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme.
• This will include the following:
  • You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
  • Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
  • Please indicate your level of language expertise in the language(s) offered by this programme and include details of any relevant qualifications, skills and experiences to date.