Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

You will study five core modules and one optional module before completing your 15,000 word dissertation.

You will study five core modules:

This module is designed for those who are at the early stages of a teaching career (i.e. with little or no teaching experience). We will look at a number of different aspects of current TEFL methodology through classroom observation and mini-group teaching/presentations. We will be focusing on: planning and delivering a lesson; stages of a lesson and lesson progression; different types of lesson and their format; ways of exploiting published classroom materials; different ways of presenting and practicing new language; what is meant by a learner-centred approach; ways of catering for different types of learner; classroom management and structuring the learning environment; and learners’ errors and different correction techniques.

The module will be taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching, classroom observation and mini-group teaching/presentations. You will be expected to prepare and teach part of a lesson to a small group of EFL students from the university.
Assessment: Teaching task and written assignment

In this module, the process of language acquisition is examined from a range of perspectives: [a] the linguistic knowledge that learners bring to the task; [b] how learners process input; [c] the kinds of input that help to maximise acquisition. A range of approaches to and methods of language teaching are introduced and critically evaluated in terms of their underlying principles and their efficacy, with some emphasis on the ‘Communicative Approach’. Specific techniques which illustrate the practical application of current theories and research findings in L2 acquisition and pedagogy are examined.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay

This module considers the problems involved in reconciling syllabus and materials design with what is known about the process of language learning and the attempts of established approaches to language syllabus design to solve such problems. The module examines a variety of approaches, including some relatively radical solutions, e.g. the establishment of a pedagogic corpus, the use of a task-based methodology, and the development of analytical exercises.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay

This module introduces you to the analysis of English lexico-grammar, with some emphasis on the relevance of linguistic description to language teachers – that is, on applying methods of analysis to the teaching of grammar and vocabulary. You will be encouraged to apply knowledge gained to aspects of your own professional practice.
Assessment: 4,000-word assignment

This module aims to provide you with a grounding methods and approaches to research in Applied Linguistics.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay

You will also choose one optional module from a range which may include the following:

• Bilingualism and Multilingualism in the TESOL Classroom
• Business Discourse and Communication
• Corpus Assisted Language Learning
• English as an International Language
• Issues in Intercultural Communication
• Language and Politics
• Language and Gesture
• Language and New Media
• Language Teacher Training
• Language, Gender and Identity
• Lexicography
• Psycholinguistics in TESOL

For more information, see our English Language and Linguistics module descriptions.

In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.

Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.