Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Teacher Education)

You’ll deepen your understanding of TESOL in semester one. You’ll focus on how people learn languages, how to describe and explain language to learners and the approaches you can take to teaching reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

You’ll then focus on aspects of teacher education in semester two. You will consider the goals and processes of teacher education, ideas about training, development and mentoring, the role of the teacher as a researcher, and the principles underpinning the design and implementation of training programmes for TESOL teachers.

In addition, you’ll choose from a range of optional modules on topics such as the use of technology in language learning, grammar and vocabulary teaching, and issues surrounding the assessment of language learning.

You’ll use the knowledge and skills you develop to carry out a small-scale piece of research related to your own interests within teacher education. To help you develop the necessary research skills for this module, you’ll also take the module Research Methods for TESOL, but this will not be assessed as part of the course.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• The Practice of Supporting Language Teacher Learning 15 credits
• Dissertation 60 credits
• Learning and Teaching in TESOL 30 credits
• Investigating Language for TESOL 30 credits
• Teacher Education for TESOL 15 credits

Optional modules

• Directed Study in Education 1 15 credits
• Technology Enhanced Language Learning 30 credits
• Learning and Teaching Vocabulary 15 credits
• Introducing a Task-Based Curriculum in Classrooms and Systems 15 credits
• Grammar, Learning and Teaching 15 credits
• Teaching Academic English 15 credits
• Corpus Linguistics in the Classroom 15 credits
• Assessing Language Learning 15 credits
• Materials Development for TESOL 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Teacher Education) MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Teacher Education) MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You’ll generally have around eight to ten hours of classes per week including seminars, tutorials and lectures. However, independent study is an important aspect of this programme, either alone or in a group, as it allows you to develop key research, analysis and communication skills and develop your own ideas.

Assessment

Most of our modules are assessed through written assignments, from which you’ll often be able to choose from a range of topics. To help you prepare, you’ll be able to submit a draft to your tutor for comment beforehand.