MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
ObjectivesThe programme aims to develop participants' critical understanding of recent developments in TESOL theory and practice and to stimulate participants to reflect on their own teaching; it also prepares them to conduct independent research into teaching and learning. There are three core areas of study: the language learner and language learning, researching TESOL, applied linguistics for TESOL, and issues and research in TESOL methodology. In addition, a wide range of options are offered, providing participants with considerable freedom in selecting course components to suit their individual needs and interests. Participants are further encouraged to develop their own areas of interest through their dissertation research.
Entry requirementsThis programme is highly relevant for teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and other professionals working in this and related disciplines. It is suitable for teachers keen to build on their existing knowledge and experience, and for those wishing to become advisers/inspectors, course designers, managers, teacher trainers or those planning to take up other senior positions in English Language Teaching, both in Britain and overseas.
Academic titleMA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Course descriptionTeaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (MA)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Course Content
The core modules are outlined below.
-XXD510 The Language Learner and Language Learning
-The module focuses on key areas in the fields of TESOL and Second Language Acquisition (SLA), and explores them from the perspective of both language learners and teachers. These include:
-Theories of SLA
-Implications of first language acquisitions for SLA
-Individual differences in SLA (gender, age, aptitude, motivation, attitudes, cognitive styles)
-Learning strategies and 'the good language learner'
-The role of formal instruction in second language learning
Students will be expected to read, understand and engage critically with the research presented on these topics.
XX4027 Applied Linguistics for TESOL
The module focuses on key areas and recent trends in applied linguistics which are of considerable importance to the field of TESOL, and explores them from the perspective of both language teachers and learners:
-The history of applied linguistics
-Descriptions of language systems:grammar, lexis and phonology
-Areas of applied linguistics particularly relevant to the teaching of productive skills, especially sociolinguistics and pragmatics
-Areas of applied linguistics particularly relevant to the teaching of receptive skills, especially psycholinguistics
-Trends in applied linguistics including broadening of the field, greater stature of classroom-based investigation
XX4708 Issues and Research in TESOL Methodology: Part 1
The module focuses on topics which have been the subject of recent discussion and research in the field of TESOL. These include:
A historical review of language teaching methods and approaches
Content vs. process syllabus design in language teaching
Humanism in language teaching
Communicative teaching and Task Based Learning Students will be expected to read, understand and engage critically with the research presented on these topics.
XX4709 Issues and Research in TESOL Methodology: Part 2
The module makes use of a further selection of topics which have been the subject of recent discussion and research in the field of TESOL to provide guidance for students in conducting their own classroom-based research. Topics include:
Issues and developments in the teaching of the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), vocabulary and grammar
Action research in the classroom
The design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research methods in language teaching
Our current list of elective modules includes:
Learner Autonomy
Teaching and Learning Vocabularly
English for Specific Purposes
Teaching and Learning Pronunciation
Computer Assisted Language Learning (call)
Corpora and the Language Classroom
Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching
Grammar and the Language Classroom
Materials Evaluation and Design
Management of TESOL
Learning to Train
Researching Your Own Practice
Course Structure
Course Structure/Assessment
The full MA programme lasts for one year full-time (October-September) or two years part-time. You will do four core modules, including written work, representing 20 credits each, and elective modules totalling 40 credits.
Written Assignment
Unless otherwise stated, each 20 credit module is assessed by a written assignment of 3,000-4,000. Assignments and dissertation are graded numerically as Distinction, Pass or Fail, as is the overall result. For a student to complete the programme successfully, a Pass must be achieved on each piece of work.
Dissertation
In addition, you will need to submit a dissertation (60 credits) of 12,000–15,000 words on a topic related to one of the modules and approved by your tutor. (Total: 180 credits.)