MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The course is designed for both native and non-native speakers with some teaching experience at high school level and above. Its aim is to extend and develop the competencies, critical skills and abilities related to the knowledge, understanding and application of the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

The flexible format of the MA TESOL programme allows the following exit points:

Entry criteria

  • Good first degree
  • IELTS 6.5 Overall Score with 6.0 in the Writing Component/TOEFL 570/CBTOEFL 230/
  • 2 years relevant teaching experience (Teaching Practice may be offered to students with less than 2 years teaching experience)

Course structure

This taught MA TESOL programme is made up of a selection of Compulsory and optional modules totalling 180 credits. The Full time MA TESOL course would therefore consist of:

Term 1
Core and Compulsory Modules Credits
IA900AU English Language Learning and Teaching 1 15
IA901AU Second Language Acquisition: Perspectives for Teachers 15
IA902AU Practical Description of English 15
IA910AU Graduate Study and Research Skills 1 Compulsory, non-assessed
IA940AU Materials and Methods 1 15
Plus ONE module from the following options:  
IA408AU Teaching English for Specific Purposes 15
IA441AU Introduction to Teaching Young Learners 15
     
Term 2    
Core and Compulsory Modules Credits
IA909SP English Language Learning and Teaching 2 15
IA904SP Sociolinguistics for Teachers of ESOL 15
IA911SP Graduate Study and Research Skills 2 Compulsory, non-assessed
IA941SP Materials and Methods 2 15
    15
Plus ONE module from the following options:  
IA409SP Teaching English for Academic Purposes 15
IA641SP Investigation into the Young Learners' Classroom 15
     
Term 3    
IA945FY Dissertation 60

Assessment

Assessment for the MA TESOL is based on the ability of the students to apply the knowledge they have acquired on the course directly to classroom practice. Students are therefore assessed for each module through either a written assignment of 3,000 words or a combination of a shorter written assignment (1,500 – 2,000 words) plus an assessment based on practical application including: presentation of classroom observation findings or of small scale research; micro-teaching of students’ own materials to other students on the programme (peer-teaching).  The final term consists of the dissertation. 

Dissertation

The third term and summer is devoted to writing a supervised 12,000 word dissertation.

Additional English language classes

The International Academy provides in-sessional support for international students whose first language is not English. There are also pre-sessional programmes for those students whose level of English is slightly below the entry criteria.

Tuition fees

How to apply

Email intacad@essex.ac.uk

Telephone enquiries: +44 1206 872842

Last modified on 08 August 2011