(Full time / Part time) 2019 start
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Teacher Education) MA
Overview
This programme, for professionals already involved in, or interested in learning about TESOL teacher education, introduces you to current thinking about what language teachers need to know and how they can be helped to learn it.
You’ll explore how people learn languages and discover the strategies language teachers use to develop the key skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. You’ll build on this foundation through specialist modules, and examine the goals and processes of teacher education and how to support TESOL teachers’ learning.
You’ll also choose from a wide range of optional modules such as the use of technology in language learning, materials development and issues surrounding assessment.
Taught by leading researchers and experienced practitioners in TESOL, you’ll benefit from a wide range of resources and support. You’ll gain valuable skills to support and empower TESOL professionals in their own practice.
Research insight
The Language Education team in the School of Education is one of the largest such teams in the UK.
Our members have experience of teaching, teacher education and consultancy work in TESOL, ELT, EFL, ESOL, EAL, Modern Foreign Languages, and Applied Linguistics in many contexts in the UK and around the world, and are nationally and internationally recognised as researchers.
Course content
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
The list shown below represents 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
- Learning and Teaching in TESOL 30 credits
- Investigating Language for TESOL 30 credits
- Dissertation in MA TESOL programmes and MA TESOL Studies 60 credits
- Teacher Education for TESOL 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- 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
- Assessing Language Learning 15 credits
- Materials Development for TESOL 15 credits
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.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) plus three years of teaching experience. We will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and experience on an individual basis.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Education Postgraduate Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
- International students: 30 June
- UK/EU students: 31 July
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information we will need include:
- Original or certified copies of your transcripts
- Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
- Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)
- Details of two referees.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School of Education Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2019
Fees
- UK/EU: £8,500 (total)
- International: £18,500 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
MA TESOL Teacher Education graduates have gone on to take up positions as pre and in-service English language teacher educators within universities or local educational administrations in various parts of the world.
Careers Support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.