What topic should I choose for my graduation qualification work (thesis) in English?
I can’t decide on a topic for my thesis. After consulting with my academic advisor, I’m left with two options:
- “Teaching the case method in English in middle/high school”
- “Word formation in English in middle/high school”
We’ve already ruled out the topics “Teaching through comics in English in middle/high school” and “Artistic devices in English based on middle/high school materials” because they seem too complex for students, and the comics topic would require developing additional teaching materials.
The problem is that I don’t see anything novel in the remaining topics and I don’t know what practical assignments I could propose. Please advise on which of these topics could be developed more deeply and in what direction. Who else could I consult with about choosing my thesis topic?
Both proposed topics have good potential for a graduation thesis, but each requires a different approach to demonstrating novelty. The topic “Teaching the case method in English in middle/high school” is more promising as it allows for practical research on the effectiveness of a specific methodology with the development of original materials.
Table of Contents
- Comparative Analysis of Topics
- Advantages of the Case Method Topic
- Development Directions for the Word Formation Topic
- Practical Assignments for Each Topic
- Possible Consultants
- Recommendations for Selection
Comparative Analysis of Topics
The case method topic allows for:
- Practical research on the effectiveness of the methodology
- Development of original case assignments
- Comparative analysis of traditional and case-based learning
- Creation of methodological recommendations
The word formation topic assumes:
- Theoretical analysis of word-formation models
- Analysis of typical student errors
- Analysis of OGE/USE exam assignments
- Systematization of exercises
According to teachers, the case method “makes it possible to optimally combine theory and practice, develop skills in working with various sources of information.”
Advantages of the Case Method Topic
- Practical value - can conduct real research in the classroom
- Novelty of approach - can develop cases on current topics (digital literacy, ecology, media education)
- Interdisciplinarity - cases may include elements of other subjects
- Concrete result - creation of a bank of methodological materials
As noted by experts from Prosveshchenie. Foreign Languages, the case method is especially effective for developing communication skills and critical thinking.
Development Directions for the Word Formation Topic
To add novelty, you can:
- Research word formation in a specific professional field (IT, medicine, law)
- Compare word-formation features of British and American variants
- Develop a system of exercises for different difficulty levels
- Create a mobile application or interactive exercises
However, as practice shows, word formation tables are already widely available and may seem less innovative.
Practical Assignments for Each Topic
For the case method topic:
- Developing cases on current social issues (ecology, digital security)
- Creating situations for discussions on moral and ethical topics
- Developing business cases for future entrepreneurs
- Creating interactive cases with gamification elements
For the word formation topic:
- Collection of exercises on word formation for different age groups
- Analysis of student errors in word formation
- Analysis of word-formation difficulties in translations
- Tests for diagnosing the level of word formation skills
Possible Consultants
- English language methodologists - municipal methodological centers
- Textbook authors - contact through publishers
- University professors - departments of English teaching methodology
- Experts in USE/OGE exams - members of subject commissions
- Innovative practitioners - teachers implementing new technologies
As noted in research, the case method is especially effective for law students, which can be adapted for schoolchildren.
Recommendations for Selection
It is preferable to choose the case method topic, as it:
- Allows for practical research
- Provides an opportunity to create original methodological developments
- Corresponds to modern educational trends
- Is easier to test in real educational conditions
Specific directions for developing the case method topic:
- Developing cases for USE preparation (Writing section)
- Creating cases for discussions on current social topics
- Developing project activity cases
- Creating cases using digital tools
For additional consultation, you can contact the authors of methodological developments or study the experience of applying the case method in teaching practice.
Sources
- Methodological development on the application of case technology in foreign language teaching
- Case method in English lessons
- CASE METHOD in English lessons
- Case method in the practice of teaching English to law students
- Case method in teaching English
- Case methodology in English lessons
- Word formation table for OGE and USE preparation
- Practice exercises on word formation in English for OGE preparation
Conclusion
- The case method topic has greater potential for research and creating original developments
- You can develop cases on current topics: digital literacy, ecology, media education
- Practical testing of the methodology will allow obtaining real data for the thesis
- For consultations, contact methodologists, textbook authors, and innovative practicing teachers
- The word formation topic may be interesting, but requires more in-depth development to give it scientific novelty
By choosing the case method topic, you will be able to create not only a theoretical work but also a valuable methodological product that can be used in the practice of teaching English in schools.