Program Overview

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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA

Overview

Building on the success of our onsite Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA, we have launched the bespoke online Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA, a new course that has been specifically designed to be studied fully online, allowing you to complete your Master’s from anywhere in the world.

You’ll benefit from access to the online course platform, where your course materials, including videos and readings, will be available on demand, allowing you to learn in your own time and fit your studies around your schedule. Your learning will be complemented by one-hour weekly, live online tutorials with a member of the course team, giving you the opportunity to discuss the course material in small groups and ask any questions you may have.

The TESOL MA provides a combination of theoretical academic study, robust practical applications, and skills development in English language teaching, providing advanced training for TESOL professionals ranging from beginners to experienced teachers. You’ll evaluate and critique key concepts, research methods and processes in TESOL. In addition to the theoretical aspects of TESOL, you'll conduct teaching practice as part of the courses where you’ll design and deliver an online lesson to an imagined audience of your choice.

Upon graduation, you’ll be able to reflect critically on established good practice in the TESOL profession, your own practices and how such practices can be adapted for various teaching and learning contexts. You’ll be well equipped to make progress as an advanced English language teaching practitioner or manager in a variety of different national, regional and cultural educational systems.

Course Structure

The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

Language and Learning

This module introduces and encourages in-depth exploration of core principles in the description and analysis of language with specific reference to English language teaching. The module also introduces and encourages in-depth exploration of core concepts in language learning with specific reference to second language acquisition and the implications of these concepts for language teachers.

Language Teaching Methods

The module examines historical and current practice in language learning and teaching, autonomy in the classroom, learning styles, language teaching technology, and extra-curricular influences on language learning and teaching. A particular focus of this module is the critical examination and development of inclusive teaching methods and activities.

Materials Development

The module will acquaint you with the theory and principles of educational attainment and the nature of learning and will consider, on this basis, the conceptual and design principles of good language course materials and their components, including print, audio, video, and online platforms. On this module, you will both analyse teaching materials produced by others and develop your own teaching materials. The module places particular emphasis on considerations of learners' diversity, needs, and aspirations in the production of course materials.

Testing and Assessment

The module examines past and current developments in language testing and assessment. It covers the role of language tests in measuring achievement and communicative proficiency, whether diagnostic or prognostic. Types of tests will be analysed, and you will develop new testing materials for your own purposes.

MA TESOL Dissertation

This module presents you with the opportunity to develop, undertake, and write up an independent research project on a TESOL topic of your choice. Guided readings and bespoke recorded presentations created by the course team will scaffold your learning on this module. The development of your research project is supported by the development, with supervisory guidance, of a viable research proposal, peer and lecturer feedback on work-in-progress presentations, and topic-specific guidance via one-to-one supervision. The module will equip you to evidence and advance knowledge of research processes and your ability to participate in the creation of new knowledge in TESOL and related fields.

Careers

Our Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA provides you with the training and preparation to make a significant contribution in instructor, manager and researcher roles. The online nature of the course allows you to fit this training around your current career or commitments.

Prepare for your TESOL career

You'll gain the skills and knowledge to progress as an advanced English Language Teaching practitioner or manager in a variety of national, regional and cultural educational systems.

Practise your teaching skills

You’ll write and present your own online lesson as part of your assessments, allowing you to put your studies into practice.

Online career resources

You’ll have access to our extensive range of online materials and platforms to help you develop the skills desired by employers.

Industry links

Members of our course team have over 20 years’ experience academically, as well as professional experience of teaching English in the UK and overseas. Richard Paterson manages the English for Academic Purposes courses available to Westminster students via the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI).

Graduate employers

Graduates from our TESOL MA course have found employment in education and research, at organisations including:

• Ashmole Academy
• Eastern Mediterranean University
• Italian Consulate, London
• Paddington Academy
• Regent College London

Job roles

This course will prepare you for a variety of job roles, including:

• Education manager
• Education researcher
• EFL organisation leader
• School English teacher
• University English teacher or lecturer

Entry Requirements

• UK: A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Once you have applied, you’ll be asked to work on the following assignment: "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages must take account of the learners' educational context." In no more than 1,500 words, you’ll discuss the statement above with reference to (A) current approaches to English language teaching; (B) an educational context that you are familiar with; and (C) some reference to published academic work on this topic.
• International: A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Once you have applied, you’ll be asked to work on the following assignment: "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages must take account of the learners' educational context." In no more than 1,500 words, you’ll discuss the statement above with reference to (A) current approaches to English language teaching; (B) an educational context that you are familiar with; and (C) some reference to published academic work on this topic.
• If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in all components.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £4,250 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £4,250 (Price per academic year)
• When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
• Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
  • Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
  • Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Supporting You

• Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
• Our Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.