LG569-7-PS-CO:
Practice-Based Project

The details
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring & Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Future
Monday 18 January 2027
Friday 02 July 2027
30
22 May 2026

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

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Key module for

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Module description

This module forms the final project component of the MA and provides students with the opportunity to design, undertake, and critically reflect on an extended practice-based project in language education. Students investigate an issue, practice, or pedagogical intervention relevant to their academic or professional interests, drawing on appropriate research literature, methodological principles, and ethical considerations.


The module guides students through a staged project process encompassing research design, implementation, and critical evaluation. Projects may be situated within professional or educational contexts but do not assume current teaching practice and may be based on real or hypothetical settings. Structured supervision and guidance in research methods, academic writing, and reflective inquiry support students in demonstrating postgraduate-level independence, critical engagement, and professional insight.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To enable students to design and conduct an extended, practice-based project in language education

  • To support the development of research literacy, including project design, ethical awareness, and data analysis

  • To enable students to integrate theory, research, and practice in a coherent and academically rigorous project

  • To develop students’ capacity for independent work, critical reflection, and professional judgement

  • To support the production of a substantial piece of postgraduate-level work aligned with MA standards

Module learning outcomes

The aims of this module are:



  • To enable students to design and conduct an extended, practice-based project in language education

  • To support the development of research literacy, including project design, ethical awareness, and data analysis

  • To enable students to integrate theory, research, and practice in a coherent and academically rigorous project

  • To develop students’ capacity for independent work, critical reflection, and professional judgement

  • To support the production of a substantial piece of postgraduate-level work aligned with MA standards

Module information

Syllabus information



  • Project design and research questions

  • Literature review and academic argumentation

  • Practice-based and practitioner research approaches

  • Research ethics and academic integrity

  • Data collection, documentation, and analysis

  • Reflective and evaluative writing

  • Presenting and synthesising project outcomes

Learning and teaching methods

Students primarily work independently on their projects, supported by structured research guidance and supervisory support. The module includes pre-recorded research training lectures that introduce key methodological concepts and support students in developing their project proposals, research design, and data analysis approaches.

Three scheduled two-hour synchronous research support sessions provide opportunities for discussion of methodological issues, clarification of project expectations, and peer engagement with developing research ideas.

Students receive individual supervision throughout the module, normally totalling up to six hours of supervisory contact, which supports project design, implementation, and evaluation. Supervision meetings provide guidance on research design, data collection and analysis, and the development of the final project submission.

Additional support is available through Moodle discussion spaces and project guidance materials released at key stages of the module. Students are also invited to attend departmental research seminars to support engagement with current research in the field.

The module design supports flexible study patterns for students studying online or balancing study with professional commitments.

Bibliography

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Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

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