Program Overview

MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The MA TESOL at Manchester Met is a practical qualification grounded in the latest research in English language teaching and learning. Whether you're an experienced teacher or just starting out, this course will help you enhance the essential skills and knowledge needed for effective teaching.

Course Overview

Our course is delivered by a team of highly experienced and qualified language teachers who are internationally recognised TESOL researchers specialising in various areas. You'll have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations by choosing from a wide range of theoretical and practical modules. You can customise your study experience by aligning your assignments to your current or desired field or specialist area of teaching to boost your employability and effectiveness in that area. Our interactive sessions are crafted to engage you actively in learning contemporary TESOL methodologies.

You can gain hands-on teaching experience by volunteering to help our international students improve their communicative skills and have the chance to observe our highly experienced teachers at our British Council accredited Language Centre which is home to a thriving modern foreign language programme.

By the end of this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of TESOL, practical teaching experience, and the research skills necessary to advance your career in English language education.

Course Structure

The MA is available to complete in one year full-time (January and September start dates available), or two years part-time (September start date only).

Core Modules

• Independent Project: All students engage in a final independent project. Drawing from the theoretical and practical disciplinary knowledge acquired throughout the duration of the programme, you will explore an area of Applied Linguistics research and/or practice. The specific topic can be aligned to your own disciplinary interests and is negotiated with a personal project supervisor.
• Sound, Structure and Meaning: This module explores the fundamental building blocks of language with a focus on sound, structure, and meaning.
• Research Methods in Applied Linguistics: This module explores both the theoretical and practical aspects of the research process in Applied Linguistics.
• Language Teaching, Learning and Technology: This module focusses on English language teaching and learning from theoretical and practical perspectives, and deals with principles, underlying approaches to, and procedures for teaching and learning language skills and systems.
• Course Design, Management and Assessment: This module focusses on curriculum design: the main principles and approaches in the creation and quality management of language courses.

Option Modules

• Teaching English for Academic Purposes: This module will provide you with the core competencies required for the effective design, teaching and assessment of courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), while increasing knowledge across the range of key concepts and issues related to teaching EAP.
• Language, Culture and Communication: This module sits within critical intercultural communication research. It engages with contemporary non-essentialist paradigms of intercultural communication.
• Language in a Globalised World: The course engages with and responds to contemporary issues pertinent to language and globalisation, drawing on current debates on the status of English in the world.
• Language and The Law: Language is central to the functioning of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales to ensure that justice is served in accordance with the rule of law.
• Teaching English to Young Learners: This module aims to train students to become expert teachers of English to young learners.

Study and Assessment

• Study: Full-time: 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study. Part-time: 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study.
• Assessment: Full-time: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination. Part-time: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination.

Entry Requirements

• 2:2 Honours Degree (or equivalent) in any subject or above.
• Appropriate industry qualifications and/or relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal degree qualification on a case-by-case basis.
• Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in any category), or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time fee £10,250 per year. Part-time fee £1709 per 30 credits.
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time fee £20,000 per year. Part-time fee £3334 per 30 credits.

Careers Support and Prospects

The MA TESOL enhances employability and professional development for new and experienced teachers. Graduates are prepared for roles in language instruction, curriculum development, and academic management, and will have a competitive edge in the global job market. Students receive excellent training in the soft skills required for employability and future PhD study, such as groupwork, discussion, critical analysis, teamwork, and development of IT skills.