Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Is your institute  affiliated to any university?

Yes, it is affiliated to Sardar Patel University. The degree will be awarded by the Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

2. Is this degree awarded by any other University?

This degree was started at our University on the lines of similar courses available in the U. K. and U. S. A. At the moment no such course is available anywhere in Gujarat. A few cities like Kolkata, Lucknow and Hyderabad have similar courses. They have started them recently.

3. Is the degree recognized?

The degree is recognized by the UGC and the AIU (Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi) and is considered equivalent to M. A. in English.

4.  Is the degree equivalent to B. Ed./M. Ed.?

No, the degree is not equivalent to B. Ed. or M. Ed. If you want to work at the school level, you need to get a B. Ed. Degree.

5.  Is the degree similar to the one in Hyderabad?

The Central Institute of English and Foreign languages, Hyderabad has started a number of M. A. courses which include teaching of English as a Second Language. But there they admit students with a Bachelor degree in any discipline. At H. M. Patel Institute of English Training and Research, we admit only students with English [Principal/Honours] at the B. A. level with at least 40% at the external examination in the Third Year.

6.  Is it possible to study any other course while studying M. A. ELT?

No, it is absolutely impossible to study any other course or take up part time jobs during the M. A. ELT course. This course is quite challenging and will require the students to work full day, sometimes from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

7. What is the fee structure?

The fee will come roughly to 20,000/- (INR) in the First Year which will include the tuition fees, the computer lab fees, hostel accommodation, etc. For the first year students, hostel accommodation is compulsory.

8. How is the course different from regular MA in English courses?

The course deals with aspects of Language Teaching Materials and Methodology, Literature, Functional and Communicative English, Translation and Advanced Language Studies. Three core papers are devoted to the study of English Literature at an advanced level. The course also provides a sound theoretical background in applied linguistics to the course participants. Some special guidance is provided for SLET/NET to interested candidates by a group of proficient instructors.

9. Does the course provide enough opportunities for the students to teach other school and college students?

Yes, the course is designed in such a manner that enough exposure is provided to the participants to interact with and teach students of other colleges and schools. The participants need to regularly offer English Enrichment Courses to school and college students. These courses need to be designed and executed by the participants themselves.

10. What are the job prospects?

A section of the MA [ELT] students have already been appointed as lecturers in prestigious institutes like NIRMA and other colleges of Gujarat. Many are appointed as teachers, acting Principals etc in schools. Some students are preparing for UPSC exams. Some have joined Government jobs. A few of them have also cleared IELTS and gone abroad for further studies. The integration of computer technology in the course has also helped a number of students to get prestigious jobs in institutions like NIIT, NIFD etc. Some of the students are presently registered at H M Patel Institute of English Training and Research as  B. Ed trainees. The Institute has a quota for MA [ELT] students at the B. Ed level.

11. What are the special features of the course?

a)      The participants are trained to offer special need-based English courses at various levels.

b)      Students receive extensive practice in the language lab of the Institute.

c)      Audio-video materials are used all the time for enhancing the students’ language competence and teaching competence.

d)      Students receive intensive practice in using computers for teaching English and they are trained to prepare Technology Aided Language Learning (TALL) Materials.

12. Can one take this course after completion of an M A [English] degree from any other University?

Yes. One can opt for this course if one is not satisfied with his/her performance at the MA level. However, the course in no way guarantees an improved percentage, if the student does not work hard.