Department of Linguistics
FAQs
Some frequently asked questions
Q 1. How much work is involved in each unit?
A It's difficult to generalise. A lot will depend on your previous experience of the topic, your own work habits, your interest, and so on. As a general guide, you should probably allow about 10 hours per week per unit over the sixteen weeks of the semester. Most students find a load of three units or more in a semester to be very challenging.
Q 2. Can I withdraw from a unit after I have started?
A Yes. If you wish to change your units of enrolment after you have enrolled you can do so as follows:
• On-campus coursework students – online via eStudent at https://student1.mq.edu.au
Internal units can be added up until the end of the SECOND week of the relevant
half year.
• External coursework students – online via eStudent at https://student1.mq.edu.au
External units can be added up until the end of the FIRST week of the relevant
half-year.
Discontinuance refers to the formal withdrawal from a unit either online via
eStudent. External students can also send written advice (email or fax) to the
Centre for Open Education.
If you discontinue a unit by the relevant Census Date for the unit, you will not be
liable for the relevant fees and you will be eligible to receive a refund of any
relevant fees already paid.
If you withdraw from a unit after the relevant Census Date for the unit you will
incur fees for the unit.
Not attending a unit does not constitute discontinuance.
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Q 3. Can I change from one program to another?
A Yes. The University requires students to submit a new application. Please remember that application deadline dates apply as well.
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Q 4. Can I attend classes on campus?
A Usually yes, although space restrictions may prevent your attendance. Please contact the on-campus lecturer before you attend. In most cases, this will be the same person as the course convenor for distance learning units.
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Q 5. Can I switch between on-campus enrolment and distance enrolment?
A Yes. You can even mix modes, and attend some units on campus and do others by distance. It is not possible, however, to switch enrolment mode for individual units in mid-semester. If completely switching from on-campus to distance mode at the start of a semester you should contact the Postgraduate Studies Office so that a re-enrolment form can be mailed to you in time.
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Q 6. Which units should I start with?
A Internal students should always complete the core units available as soon as possible. External students should do so as well although there is a little more flexibility with external units.
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Q 7. How do I re-enrol in units for a new year?
A Re-enrolling students who are continuing in the same degree as the previous year can enrol via the web in February of each year.
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Q 8. Will I be a qualified TESOL teacher after completing the program?
A An Applied Linguistics TESOL postgraduate degree will not give you formal teaching qualifications although depending on where you wish to teach you may not need anything else. To teach ESL in a government school (K-12) in Australia, you would typically be required to have a formal teaching qualification from a higher education institution recognised by the Department of Education and Training, http://www.det.nsw.edu.au/index.htm as well as a TESOL qualification which includes a practicum (such as our Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL). For many language-teaching institutions outside Australia, the Master of Applied Linuistics (TESOL) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) may be all you need. Obviously, requirements vary from system to system and country to country.
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Q 9. Do I need to have e-mail?
A We strongly recommend that you do get access to e-mail. Many external units of the Applied Linguistics programs are available as online only units whilst a variety of resources are available to students electronically. Additionally it is by far the most reliable way of contacting people at Macquarie.
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Q 10. Do I need to enrol in units for the whole year or just enrol in first semester units?
A If you enrol for the whole year, you will not to enrol again in that year, unless you change your mind. If you enrol only in first semester units, you will need to add units for second semester before the beginning of June.
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Q 11. Can I get credit for previous studies in Applied Linguistics?
A. Yes. But please note the following:
Candidates who have completed relevant postgraduate studies at Macquarie University or another university may receive up to a total credit of 25 percent towards a Macquarie award. Those who have only partially completed a postgraduate award may be granted credit up to 50 percent.
Credit cannot be granted for units completed elsewhere unless they correspond to units in the Macquarie study pattern (program).
Credit for previous studies is only granted if the studies have been completed within the previous ten years.
Professional qualifications and work experience do not attract credit.
Where Macquarie University offers a set of articulated coursework awards (degree/diploma/certificate), candidates who have completed requirements for one of the lesser courses in the set may have that award conferred and also receive full credit towards the higher award for relevant studies completed.
Applicants should request credit at the time of application for admission or before enrolment. Applicants for admission through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) should complete the Postgraduate Request for Credit Form which is available at www.postgrad.mq.edu.au/forms.html Certified full official transcripts (not result
slips) of your previous tertiary studies and a description of all subjects completed taken from the institution's official handbook/calendar for the appropriate year, or other appropriate evidence, should be submitted along with your application.
Direct entry applicants can request credit as part of the application form.