Thesis Seminar 2025
Research course designed for English language teacher trainers
A comprehensive course designed to guide researchers in the process of writing and publishing their thesis papers in English, emphasizing literature review, methodology, and analytical discussions relevant to teaching English as a foreign language.
💡 Welcome to Thesis Seminar!
Class location: Mod 3, classroom 7; office for tutoring sessions; Thesis Seminar 2025 | General | Microsoft Teams
Class schedule: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Instructor: Benjamin L. Stewart
Course Description
An integrative theoretical-practical subject aimed at applying the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values developed throughout the curriculum to carry out integration work through research relevant to teaching English as a foreign language. This subject is based on all the subjects in the curriculum.
Course Objective
During the course, the student will develop research relevant to teaching English, integrating knowledge and skills with autonomy, openness to constructive criticism, proactivity, and social and ethical responsibility.
Readings
Crafting a Literature Review for a Thesis Paper
Crafting a Method Section for a Thesis Paper
Crafting a Results and Discussion Section for a Thesis Paper
Units
Unit I: Literature Review for Thesis Seminar
Unit II: Method Section for Thesis Seminar
Unit III: Results and Discussion for Thesis Seminar
Methodology
Each student will conduct an individual research project based on a topic of interest related to language teaching or learning. Students will be guided throughout the research process by participating in weekly tutorial sessions that include progress reports and timely feedback based on where each student is in the research process. Students will also participate in periodic whole-group talks that orient students in what is coming next in the research process. Students will also have an opportunity to conduct a mock presentation that includes feedback from designated tutors and classmates in terms of organization and delivery. Finally, each student will present a 30-minute oral defense with three judges that will include a 10-minute question-and-answer session based on a clear thesis related to language teaching or learning. One of the three judges will be assigned to assess the student’s written thesis as well.
Assessment
Writing process (40%) that includes weekly reflections and tutoring sessions, whole group discussions, and periodic assessments: literature review, method section, and results and discussion section)
Oral defense (20%)
Written thesis (5,000 - 6,000 words) (40%)
Notes:
The minimum passing grade will be 7 (seven). 2.-To be eligible to pass the course, attendance at least 80% of the sessions is required. 3.-It is desirable that the participating teachers answer the course evaluation instrument, the link to which will be available on the educational platform starting January 23. This will allow the Department of Training and Academic Updating to have relevant information for the evaluation and continuous improvement of the course.
Orientation
To get started, review the following:
Content will be published online using Capacities, which you may access either through your browser or through the Capacities app.
Review Embracing one’s originality and process in academic writing: A guide for English language learners and ELT Cast 126: How to increase one’s originality score when writing an academic text to see my stance on self-expression and human-generated text. I always come from a place of support when assisting you find your original voice when it comes to self-expression through the written word.
I often use codes when giving feedback on your writing and will often use these codes to refer to common errors made when writing an academic text: Writing error code list.
Review the UAA language departmental plagiarism policy 2024.
Install Ámbito Académico UAA app.