Whom is the talk addressed to?

Good morning, everyone. Welcome all of you to this first session for Research and Methods in Language Learning. Apart from our regular MA students, this semester we have a few in-service teachers working in my department or some other colleges in the country.
     Now there are two basic areas that I’d like to discuss with you today. Past experience has shown that students starting the course have two areas of anxiety: the first is with how their work is going to be assessed, and the second is how best to study for the course.
     Now let me deal with the first one first. You will be required to submit two pieces of written work for assessment purposes, one in the middle of the semester and one after you’ve finished the course. The first one is a critical review of a published research paper, which you can find in academic journals. The second one is a paper on a mini-research project. As for the assessment criteria, it can be Summarized as follows. Firstly, I expect you to have carded out relevant background reading, and to have synthesized the views of the different writers you have consulted. However, you should not give just a summary of secondhand ideas. Instead, you should give a critical evaluation of the topic, in which you present your own ideas as well as discussing what other people have said. Secondly your assignments should have a logical organization, and a clear and readable style. Finally, you must follow the general conventions of academic writing, especially in such matters as referencing and quoting.
     If you have any problems in carrying out an assignment, do not be afraid to ask for assistance from me. Make an appointment to see me and come with your questions prepared.