Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching

Program Overview

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Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching MA

Key Information

Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time. Fast track only available part-time. September to September Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180-195 / ECTS 90-97.5 Application status: Closed

Course Essentials

The Applied Linguistics & English Language Teaching MA course offers you opportunities to explore current research and specialist areas such as teacher education, materials development, teaching English for academic purposes, management and evaluation in ELT and intercultural studies. You will study required modules covering language teaching methodology and curriculum design, linguistic analysis for language teaching, issues in second language development and language in use (sociolinguistics, and aspects of second language learning) as well as research methods. We also place emphasis on the notion of informed teaching. To do so we examine the value for teachers to mediate between theory and practice in constructing personal pedagogies.

Base Campus

Waterloo Campus

Regulating Bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Applicants are expected to have experience equivalent to three years full-time in language teaching or a related post.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English language requirements: English language band B

Selection Process

Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.

Personal Statement and Supporting Information

• Personal Statement: A personal statement is required, describing your teaching experience and how this MA will build on your experience and contribute to your future career plans.
• Previous Academic Study: A copy of your official academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s) are required.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Your CV (resume) is required as part of your application.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study

Assessment

• Essays
• Language analysis tasks
• Exams
• Oral Presentations
• Dissertation

Structure

Required Modules

• Linguistic Analysis for Language Teaching (30 credits)
• Principles & Practices in Second/ Foreign Language Teaching (30 credits) (fast track students exempt)
• Second/Additional Language Acquisition (15 credits)
• Research Methods & Dissertation in Applied Linguistics/Language Learning & Teaching (60 credits)
• Sociolinguistics (15 credits)

Optional Modules

• English for Academic Purposes (15 credits)
• Language Assessment (15 credits)
• Materials Development in English Language Teaching (15 credits)
• Teacher Education (15 credits)
• Digital ELT (15 credits)
• Multilingualism, Migration & Diversity (15 credits)

Employability

Many of our graduates from the Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching MA course choose to remain in higher education and go on to follow MPhil/PhD pathways. Graduates are also well-suited to pursue careers in related fields, including publishing, language planning and policy, educational management, and teacher education.

Tuition Fees

UK

• Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26); £5,625 per year (fast-track 2025/26)

International

• Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)
• Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26); £12,500 per year (fast-track 2025/26)

Deposit

• Home deposit: £500
• International deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Books
• Library fees and fines
• Personal photocopies
• Printing course handouts
• Society membership fees
• Stationery
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Graduation costs

Funding

To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Program Outline

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Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching (MA) at King's College London

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Degree Overview

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Overview:

• Devised for experienced language teachers
• Engages with current research and theory in language education and linguistics from the perspective of pedagogy, policy and practice in the ELT profession
• Offers opportunities to further your career in ELT and develop expertise in specialist fields such as language assessment, digital technologies in ELT, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), materials development, and multilingualism, migration & diversity.

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Objectives:

• Enhance your knowledge of current theoretical and practical aspects of language teaching
• Provide excellent tutorial support and extensive programme-specific training in research methods and academic writing
• Open up opportunities to exchange ideas with other experienced language teaching professionals from many diverse backgrounds
• Enable development of professional expertise relevant to your career development in areas such as EAP, materials development, language testing and assessment, pragmatics and teacher education

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Outline

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Program Content:

• The program focuses on exploring current research and specialist areas such as teacher education, materials development, teaching English for academic purposes, management and evaluation in ELT, and intercultural studies.

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Structure:

• The course is offered as a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time program.
• A fast track option may be available for part-time students who hold the Cambridge Delta or Trinity Diploma in ELT, offering exemption from the Principles & Practices in Second/Foreign Language Teaching module.

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Courses:

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Required Modules:

• Linguistic Analysis for Language Teaching (30 credits)
• Principles & Practices in Second/Foreign Language Teaching (30 credits) (fast-track students exempt from this module)
• Second/Additional Language Acquisition (15 credits)
• Research Methods & Dissertation in Applied Linguistics/Language Learning & Teaching (60 credits)
• Sociolinguistics (15 credits)

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Optional Modules:

• (30-45 credits)
• Options may include:
• English for Academic Purposes (15 credits)
• Language Assessment (15 credits)
• Materials Development in English Language Teaching (15 credits)
• Teacher Education (15 credits)
• Digital ELT (15 credits)
• Multilingualism, Migration & Diversity (15 credits)
• Up to 30 credits may be chosen from language/linguistics modules offered by other King’s College London programmes.
• The chosen modules may vary depending on the study path and available options.

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Assessment

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Assessment Methods:

• Essays
• Language analysis tasks
• Exams
• The dissertation is assessed through a single 15,000-word extended piece of writing.

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Teaching

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Teaching methods:

• Lectures and seminars

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Faculty:

• Experienced faculty with expertise in applied linguistics and ELT

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Careers

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Potential career paths:

• Higher education (MPhil/PhD pathways)
• Publishing
• Language planning and policy
• Educational management
• Teacher education

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Employment outcomes:

• Many graduates pursue successful careers in various related fields.

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Other

• King's College London regularly reviews and updates its modules to provide up-to-date and relevant programmes.
• Due to educational requirements, modules with a practical component may have limited capacity.

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Application deadlines:

• First deadline: 10 January 2024 (23:59 UK time) for applicants residing in mainland China
• Final deadlines:
• Overseas (international) fee status: 26 July 2024 (23:59 UK time)
• Home fee status: 26 August 2024 (23:59 UK time)
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Earlier application is encouraged due to high demand.

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UK: Full time: £10,944 per year (2024/25) Part time: £5,472 per year (2024/25); £4,560 per year (fast-track 2024/25) International: Full time: £25,284 per year (2024/25) Part time: £12,642 per year (2024/25); £9,338 per year (fast-track 2024/25) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions. Deposit Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment. The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000. If you receive an offer between 1 January and 31 March, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 1 April and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer. If you receive an offer between 16 July and 15 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer. Additional Costs Library fees and fines. Personal photocopies. Printing course handouts. Society membership fees. Stationery. Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses. Graduation costs.