Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

Key Facts

  • Level

    Postgraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time (including Distance Learning):
    1 Year
    Part Time (including Distance Learning):
    2 Years

  • Starting

    September, January

  • Fees UK 24/25

    Full Time: £8,250
    Part Time: £1,380 per 30 credits
    Online: £1,235 per 30 credits

  • Fees International 24/25

    Full Time: £16,995
    Online: £1,235 per 30 credits

  • Location

    Waterside, Distance Learning

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


English is a global language used daily in business, education and the media by many people for whom it is a second rather than a ‘native’ language. This Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages masters course has been designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to be an effective teacher of the language. Applying the insights of linguistic research into how English is learned and used in a wide variety of situations, the programme with its practical focus will help you become a resourceful, reflective and confident professional in the field of TESOL.

Ask a student One of our current MA TESOL students, Anh, is available on Unibuddy to answer any questions you may have about the Master’s or UON.

Updated 04/04/2024

Highlights


  • Gaining work experience by working closely with teaching staff on the TESOL MA.
  • Develop your skills and confidence in teaching through applying theory to practice by observing lessons, planning tasks and micro-teaching to peers.
  • Opportunities of joining professional organisations and attend conferences, seminars and social events.
  • Eligible for 20% Graduate Discount Scheme.

Course Content


  • On the masters in TESOL, you will study on 4 modules and complete a thesis module:

    • EDUM134 Approaches to Language Learning – Theory and Method (30 Credits)

    Students examine development of theories of second language acquisition (SLA), focusing on linguistic, psychological & social processes underlying SLA in a range of contexts.

    • EDUM135 English Language Teaching in Practice (30 Credits)

    Teaching English masters students develop key skills required for effective teaching of the four language skills and explore a range of strategies, techniques and technologies, applying them to different classroom contexts.

    • EDUM136 Classroom Language Assessment and Test Construction (30 Credits)

    Students will be introduced to the key concepts, issues & methods of language testing, drawing attention to the principles underpinning different testing/evaluation systems & their impact on students/educational institutions.

    • EDUM155 Materials Development & Course Design (30 credits)

    TESOL MA students develop a critical understanding of theoretical approaches or frameworks in English language teaching materials development and course design. Students evaluate commercially produced materials, and apply those approaches or frameworks to designing course and learning materials for specific groups of learners and the contexts in which they are taught.

    • EDUM100 Research Thesis (60 Credits)

    Students develop a critical understanding of the purposes/ methodologies of academic research & apply this to specific area of language research, relevant to their needs, professional practice or personal interest.

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

      • Module code: EDUM100
        Status: Compulsory
        This module provides an opportunity for students to engage in completing an original research project, supported by structured research training, under the guidance of a supervisor. When the student is studying on a named pathway or programme this research thesis will be aligned to that field of study.
      • Module code: EDUM134
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to examine the development of theories of second language acquisition (SLA), focusing on the linguistic, psychological and social processes underlying SLA in a range of contexts. To consider how evolving research into learner differences, types of motivation and interlanguages has influenced language teaching.
      • Module code: EDUM135
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to:This module will help students develop those key skills required for the effective teaching of the four language skills: speaking listening reading, writing. Enhancing these skills will involve a focus on phonetics/phonology; the grammar of spoken discourse; different reading strategies and on developing an awareness of different discourse genres.
      • Module code: EDUM136
        Status: Designate
        The purpose of this module is ?To introduce students to the key concepts, issues and methods of language testing, drawing attention to the principles that underpin different testing/evaluation systems and the way these impact on students and educational institutions.
      • Module code: EDUM155
        Status: Compulsory
        The purpose of this module is to develop students? critical understanding of theoretical approaches or frameworks in English language teaching materials development and course design. Students evaluate commercially produced materials, and apply those approaches or frameworks to designing course and learning materials for specific groups of learners and the contexts in which they are taught.
  • To study this masters in TESOL course, you will need either:

    • An honours degree from a UK University awarded at lower second or above in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification

    Or

    • An honours degree from a recognised University outside the UK awarded at lower second or above in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification

    Applicants who have a Diploma in English, Humanities or in a Foreign Language or an equivalent professional qualification plus recent teaching experience of two years or more will be positively considered. In this case the applicant will usually be interviewed and must demonstrate suitability for the programme.

    For information on how to apply to study with us as an international applicant, please see our How to Apply page.

    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.5 with no score below 6.0 (or equivalent)
      for study at postgraduate level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted for the TESOL MA relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,380 per 30 credits
    • UK – Online: £1,235 per 30 credits
    • International – Full Time: £16,995
    • International – Online: £1,235 per 30 credits
    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted for the TESOL MA relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,010
    • UK – Part Time: £1,335 per 30 credits
    • UK – Online: £1,200 per 30 credits
    • International – Full Time: £16,500
    • International – Online: £1,200 per 30 credits
    Additional Costs

    There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2022. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

    Scholarships and Bursaries

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Staff


Placeholder image for Qian Zhang, Senior Lecturer in English as a Second Language
Qian Zhang

Senior Lecturer in English as a Second Language


Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

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Hazel McAllister, Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics
Hazel McAllister

Senior Lecturer in Educational Linguistics


Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

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Bob Fisher, Head of Educational Linguistics
Bob Fisher

Head of Educational Linguistics


Faculty of Health, Education and Society

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Careers and Employability


TESOL MA Graduates should be able to seek employment opportunities in a wide variety of areas including:

  • English language teaching in any education sector (this may depend on having fulfilled primary teaching qualifications in the countries in which you choose to work as the MA would not be a substitute for such qualifications).
  • Teacher training.
  • Testing: both in supporting existing testing programmes and developing programmes in companies developing and implementing communication skills training.
  • Continued academic research in areas of interest developed as a consequence of involvement in this course, e.g. PhD.