| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | - |
Program Overview
Why this course?
The MSc TESOL and Intercultural Communication degree is designed for those who intend to pursue a career in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). It's also suitable for those who currently work in this field but wish to enhance professional knowledge and skills and improve career prospects.
The course addresses questions about the learning, teaching and use of English by speakers of other languages from an intercultural communication perspective. It draws on the expertise of educationalists, linguists, and literature/culture scholars.
Course options enable you to explore issues across these disciplines or to specialise in one area. Recognising that the place of English is evolving rapidly in an increasingly complex multilingual and multicultural world, you'll be equipped with the theoretical and practical skills to teach English to learners with a wide range of social, cultural and communicative goals.
You'll gain a better understanding of language learning and language use in intercultural contexts. You'll have the opportunity engage with key issues relating to language teaching and intercultural communication. and develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills for language-related careers in a linguistically diverse world.
Interested in postgraduate study?
At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to provide you with all the information you need to kick-start your postgraduate journey at the University of Strathclyde. Register for upcoming events below:
What you’ll study
Semester 1
You'll take two compulsory classes and choose between two research classes.
Successful completion of these three classes leads to the award of Postgraduate Certificate.
Semester 2
You'll take a further compulsory class and choose from a selection of options.
Successful completion of six classes over Semesters 1 & 2, leads to the award of Postgraduate Diploma.
Summer semester
MSc students write a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words (depending on topic) on a topic relating to the course.
Successful completion of the dissertation, plus six classes leads to the award of MSc.
Learning & teaching
You'll attend on-campus lectures, seminars and tutorials; one research class is available by online teaching.
Assessment
Methods of assessment include written assignments– essays and reflective journal – materials development, and presentations.
Our students
Wang Zisu
TESOL provides me with a brand-new view about education nowadays, including the tools of teaching and the methods of teaching. Learning more about education around the world inspired me to choose the subject.
More about Wang's Strathlife
Sumaya Alzeer
I really was amazed by how professional and organised the online platform was. I also liked the talented teachers and their respectful attitude towards students. I also admired how passionate they were about their specialist subjects. I felt that they wanted us to do really well in the programme and enjoy our studies.
More about Sumaya's experience
Yue Lin
The University of the Strathclyde course offered me both advanced teaching theories and various forms of practice. The course, TESOL & Intercultural Communication, was quite well-designed and challenging, which made my learning experience both interesting and stimulating.
More about Yue's experience
Program Outline
Course content
Semester 1
Semester 2
Compulsory classes
Contemporary Issues in Language Teaching
Level 5, 20 Credits
This module offers students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key issues related to second and foreign language education. Students will reflect on their own language learning and/or teaching experiences, and debate the prevalent ideas in the field of language teaching. Students will also develop the practical skills of analysing, evaluating and designing innovative language teaching materials. The module has a particular focus on exploring the impact of sociocultural theory on language education.
Topics:
Introduction to Intercultural Communication
The class critically applies the linguistic analysis of discourse, conversation and other types of verbal behaviour, in the context of a theoretical understanding of the communication of meaning. We will look at languages in contact, the relation between language, culture and thought, and other theoretical and practical issues in the understanding of intercultural communication.
Language Learning in a Multilingual World
Level 5, 20 credits
The class is based on our shared reading of one important recent journal article* which reviews key ideas relating to second language acquisition (SLA). Each week we will look at a different set of issues raised in this article and consider how these help us to think about contexts for language learning, learning processes, goals and outcomes. Lectures will introduce these issues and in the seminars we will explore them in more detail, through discussion and through reflections on our own experiences in blog format.
Topics:
*Douglas Fir Group (2016). A transdisciplinary framework for SLA in a multilingual world. The Modern Language Journal, 100 (Supplement 2016): 19-47.
Research Methodologies & Reasoning
This module runs over both semesters and provides an introduction to education and social research methodologies within the context of professional development and practitioner enquiry. The module will offer students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the traditions and approaches of research and their implications for professional development. The module promotes an understanding of the wider social research environment and its role within the professional contexts of policy and practice.
Compulsory Classes
Contemporary Issues in Language Teaching
Level 5, 20 Credits
This module offers students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of key issues related to second and foreign language education. Students will reflect on their own language learning and/or teaching experiences, and debate the prevalent ideas in the field of language teaching. Students will also develop the practical skills of analysing, evaluating and designing innovative language teaching materials. The module has a particular focus on exploring the impact of sociocultural theory on language education.
Topics:
Language Learning in a Multilingual World
Level 5, 20 credits
The class is based on our shared reading of one important recent journal article* which reviews key ideas relating to second language acquisition (SLA). Each week we will look at a different set of issues raised in this article and consider how these help us to think about contexts for language learning, learning processes, goals and outcomes. Lectures will introduce these issues and in the seminars we will explore them in more detail, through discussion and through reflections on our own experiences in blog format.
Topics:
*Douglas Fir Group (2016). A transdisciplinary framework for SLA in a multilingual world. The Modern Language Journal, 100 (Supplement 2016): 19-47.
Optional classes
Curriculum Development in TESOL
This module focuses on how TESOL can be organised at different levels of formal education (classroom, institution, official educational policies). The module provides theoretical and practical tools for evaluating, adapting, and designing a culturally responsive TESOL curriculum which is research-informed and context-situated. In this module, teachers are seen as agents of change who participate in and contribute to top-down as well as bottom-up approaches to curriculum design and enactment. The module offers room for analysing coursebooks and policy among other materials.
Digital Technologies in Language Teaching
Level 5, 20 credits
This class explores the use of digital technologies for language teaching. It gives students an overview of the key theories and pedagogical principles which underpin our current understanding of digital education. Students will develop the knowledge and practical skills of creating and working in a digital environment for language education. The module also considers ways to develop students’ 21st Century skills both as a language user/learner and as a language teacher. The class develops practical skills as well as skills in research, analysis and critical thinking which are relevant for a broad range of careers.
Topics:
This module is delivered on weekdays. Available in semester 2.
Contemporary Scottish Cultural Studies
The class will allow you to engage with materials from Scottish, cultural, historical and literary studies. You'll read a range of primary literary and cultural materials in a historical and theoretical context and will develop skills in textual analysis and critical engagement. In doing so, the class will provide you with a knowledge of some of the main developments in Scottish literary and cultural studies throughout the 20
th
Century.You’ll gain an understanding of the relationships between literature, culture and theories of nationalism. You’ll also develop an awareness of a range of major issues in contemporary Scottish culture and become capable of applying sophisticated theoretical approaches to these.
Narrative Processing Across Languages & Cultures
The cognitive science of narrative processing has revealed that our understanding of stories depends both on our culturally-specific knowledge and also on culturally independent aspects of our psychology. The class explores this interesting problem, and considers its bearing on a person's understanding of stories from outside their own culture, a fundamental issue in intercultural studies.
Re-imagining TESOL in the 21st century
Sociolinguistics of English as a Global Language:
These are controversial but important questions students will explore in this module. It aims to connect the sociolinguistics of English as a global language with the ‘politics’ of TESOL today.
The module invites teachers, teacher educators and researcher-practitioners to initiating change in ELT and reimagining TESOL in the 21st century. The overall purpose of this class is to analyse a learning/teaching context in relation to Global Englishes, examine relevant research and the pedagogical implications for ELT in your students' local contexts. Based on this evaluation, students will be able to recommend changes for ELT practice.
Transcultural Fandom and British Popular Culture
Fan studies is a very rapidly growing new discipline, and fan cultures are becoming increasingly visible both in academic scholarship and in wider popular culture. For young English language learners internationally, fanfiction and fan culture can often be an entry point into informal reading and writing in English.
For teachers of English language, a knowledge of the writing and reading practices of fanfiction communities - practices that very often include transforming or translating works from English into multiple other languages, and vice versa - can feed directly into classroom engagement with new uses of English in intercultural communication.
Moreover, by focusing on internationally known British cultural properties, and their global circulation and adaptation, this class will enable critical reflection on the use of British culture in teaching English language and the ways in which ideas of ‘Britishness’ are disseminated.
Topics:
Careers
Graduates will be in a strong position to start or enhance careers as English language professionals, in their home countries or internationally. You may choose to work as an English language teacher, course designer or course director, with students ranging from young learners or high school students, to college or university students or adult learners.
The course also offers a route into a research orientated career, with options to continue on Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy routes.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in Glasgow