TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA
About this course
-
73% of NTU’s research in English Language and Literature was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent - REF2021. -
Take part in practical teaching and build a whole portfolio of teaching materials. -
We are a Cambridge-approved Centre so there may be the opportunity to add a Cambridge Teaching qualification such as CELTA to your degree.
This course is ideal for both experienced English Language teachers and those with little or no experience in the area who wish to become an English language teacher to speakers of other languages. The course helps you develop employability and enterprise skills, and offers a lot of teaching practice as well as an optional placement.
MA TESOL will equip you with a highly portable global skillset that allows you to get started as an English teacher in schools, universities and private training institutions around the world, manage English Language Teaching (ELT) programmes, develop educational material and textbooks, or even start your own language teaching business.
What you’ll study
The course has a very practical focus. You will have the opportunity to take part in practical teaching. You will be involved in demonstrating a range of teaching methods in practical sessions, including:
- designing teaching materials
- planning lessons and tests
- practising teaching in a peer group
- analysing real lessons through DVD observations.
At the end of the course you will be able to accumulate the teaching materials you develop into a portfolio for job applications.
We very much value the range of perspectives that students from different socio-cultural contexts bring to teaching and learning. The profile of course participants is very international, including most recently Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and the UK.
Our teaching methods encourage active participation in group work, discussion and the exchange of ideas, with the aim of developing your critical and analytical skills.
We offer a high level of in-sessional support designed specifically around the needs of students, both in classes and on an individual basis. We provide one-to-one help with assignment and dissertation writing and are always happy to make appointments with students who want to talk privately about their work and progress.
Core modules
Investigating Language in Use (20 credits)
Develop your knowledge and skills in analysing language in use. It covers fundamental areas in language analysis for English language teaching practitioners. It also focuses on why knowledge of these systems and ability to analyse language are essential skills for the language teacher, and how they can be used in a variety of language teaching situations.
Developing Classroom Practice or Extending Classroom Practice (20 credits)*
Novice teachers will study Developing Classroom Practice which will build your knowledge of classroom methodologies, strategies for second language teaching and the principles underpinning these. This includes practical, classroom-based orientation and develops your confidence and competence in the planning, delivery and analysis of lesson types.
More experienced teacher will study Extending Classroom Practice which will challenge you to critically investigate your current knowledge and practices and explore a range of pedagogical options. Real language classrooms allow you to experiment with new methods, strategies and techniques.
* This is subject to student numbers.
Analysing Second Language Learning (20 credits)
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods in light of research evidence, and build evidence-based practice and informed evaluations of your own, and others', teaching. You will produce a video or podcast aimed at a specific group of teachers, giving practical advice on how the theory or research can be meaningfully applied to practice.
Designing Courses and Assessments (20 credits)
Examine the principles of syllabus and course design. You will apply your knowledge and understanding to design an English language course for a group of learners and outline strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of your course.
Research Methods / Practical Project / Dissertation (60 credits)
The Research Methods module supports your transition towards developing your own personalised research project, allowing you to conduct original research on a topic of your choice related to teaching English to speakers of other languages. The Research Methods module will support development and enable you to gain in-depth knowledge of research methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches as well as using discipline standard software to support your analyses. Your development is supported with a hands-on approach to exploring research at the forefront of teaching and learning. This approach will support development of your skills as a researcher, which culminates with one-to-one supervision from our experienced lecturers. Comprehensive support ensures you develop robust competencies, critical thinking, and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the field of TESOL. The Research Methods module provides support for your academic and professional journey with rigorous, real-world research experience.
The dissertation is a piece of independent work that builds upon the practical, theoretical and research skills of the MA course. Alternatively, you may produce a practical project of around 10,000-words with accompanying material, such as bespoke teaching materials, or re-designing a curriculum.
Optional modules - choose two
Options are subject to student numbers and demand
Teaching English for Academic Purposes (20 credits)
Understand the role of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) within Higher Education sectors around the world.
Exploring Teacher Education (20 credits)
Evaluate the practices and processes of teacher education and professional development. You will consider at least two different teacher education settings such as pre-service training, in-service training, action research, self-directed teacher development.
Teaching English to Young Learners (20 credits)
Explore the teaching of young learners, based on understanding of psychological and sociological factors contributing to the general and linguistic development of children. You will learn how to evaluate published materials for teaching young learners, and apply your knowledge to a variety of practical teaching contexts.
Designing Materials for the Language Classroom (20 credits)
This module focuses on the design of TESOL materials. You will be tasked to produce effective materials and be able to trial them through micro-teaching and live language classrooms, in both physical and online environments.
Teaching and Assessing Vocabulary (20 credits)
Over the past 30 years there has been a dramatic increase of research in the area of language acquisition, and it is now a central area of investigation in the wider field of applied linguistics. This module uses this research to question current practice and outline principles of good teaching. You will analyse instructional material of your choice, and develop materials and assessments for classes to promote vocabulary learning.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you're taught
Assessment
Assessment methods on this course are designed to evaluate your ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical work and where possible to relate ideas and proposals to your own teaching context.
A range of assignment types are used including essays, practical tasks, portfolios, presentations, demonstration lessons and class tests.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn another new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.
Careers and employability
Your career development
Our graduates are now working as English language teaching professionals, teacher trainers, textbook writers or university lecturers throughout the world.
Although this course does not offer a formal placement, it is a vocationally focused course which aims to help you to achieve an English Language teaching post in your chosen country. You will have the opportunity to take a one-year module on practical teaching and be involved in demonstrating a range of teaching methods in practical sessions, designing teaching materials, planning lessons, and tests.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
UK students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent.
Applications from candidates with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered on an individual basis if they can demonstrate relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent.
We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Pre-Masters course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
