Final Exam in the M.A.

in ELT programme
Methodology component

The exam topics for the ELT Methodology component of the final exam are based on two
main sources.

1 Compulsory background reading

You are expected to have read thoroughly at least one of the basic EFL methodology
publications:

 Harmer J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching. Harlow: Pearson

Education Limited
 Ur, P. (1996). A course in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.

A reason for asking you to read (or re-read) one of these books is to give you a chance to
review your experiences in the light of what you read. The examiners will be interested to
hear about the basic principles described in the literature, as well as your views on these
principles with regard to your teaching experiences.

2 Readings related to ELT Methodology

These may come from readings set (or recommended) for the Methodology and Testing
lecture series, Language Pedagogy options, Individual studies and your previous studies in
this area, one of which will be the basis of Part 2 in the exam.

Exam Procedure

Part 1: You will be asked to draw one of the 13 topics (tétel). The examiner will then ask you
specific questions or invite you to reflect on principles, concepts and practice.

Part 2: You will be expected to talk about the article of your choice, highlighting key issues,
explaining why you found them particularly insightful and relating them to your experience.

Exam Topics for Part 1

1. Learning and teaching

 Learner types, learning styles
 Teacher roles and responsibilities
 The teacher as a facilitator, etc.
 The native and non-native teacher

2. The Communicative Approach

 Principles, methods, techniques
 Communicative activities
 Integrating skills
3. Classroom management
 Classroom interactions
 Giving instructions, discipline problems
 Seating arrangement
 Group dynamics

4. Current issues in language teaching

 Competence development
 The intercultural dimension of language teaching
 Collaborative, cooperative learning, project work
 ICT in language teaching and learning

5. Teaching listening skills

 Listening sub-skills
 Staging a listening activity
 Authentic texts

6. Teaching reading skills

 Authentic reading texts
 Reading sub-skills
 Staging a reading task

7. Teaching speaking skills

 Communicative vs. non-communicative tasks
 Developing fluency vs. accuracy
 Teaching pronunciation

8. Teaching writing skills

 Word, sentence and paragraph level writing
 Process vs. product writing

9. Teaching structures and functions

 Techniques of presentation
 Techniques of practice and integration

10. Evaluation and assessment
 Giving feedback
 Error correction
 Language testing
 Alternative (formative, continuous) assessment

11. Teaching vocabulary and related skills

 Techniques of presentation
 Recycling, testing, etc.

12. Teaching young learners

 Special features
 Examples of teaching skills

13. Course and lesson planning

 Planning lessons
 Curriculum and syllabus
 NAT, érettségi requirements
 Evaluating coursebooks and other EFL materials