MA Teaching English and Additional Languages
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Overview
Our MA Teaching English and Additional Languages helps language teachers develop advanced expertise in multilingual language education while studying flexibly around their professional commitments. The course is available part-time only and is completed over 24 months.
The course is suitable both for applicants who already teach languages and for those who are new to language teaching. Whether you have classroom experience or are looking to enter the field, the course supports you in developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to teach languages effectively across a range of educational contexts.
Designed for teachers of English and other modern or additional languages, the programme supports educators working in schools, colleges, universities, and international language education settings. It combines the well-established field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a broader perspective on language education in multilingual classrooms.
Most of your learning takes place online through flexible asynchronous study, supported by scheduled live sessions with tutors and fellow students from around the world. This approach allows you to engage deeply with course content while continuing your professional work.
As part of the course, you will attend a two-week study period on our Colchester Campus, where you will take part in intensive, practice-based workshops focused on materials design, teaching practice, and collaborative learning with other educators.
Throughout the course, you will connect research and theory with your own teaching context through a practice-based approach to learning. Key areas of study include:
- how people learn additional languages
- language awareness for teaching and course design
- assessment and feedback in language learning
- reflective practice and professional inquiry
You will also explore current developments in language education, including digital and AI-supported teaching, multilingual classrooms, and inclusive approaches to language learning.
The course concludes with a practice-based project, allowing you to investigate an area of language teaching that matters to you and apply your learning to your professional context.
Do I need a student visa?
You will not be able to acquire sponsorship for a student visa to study in the UK for this course, in accordance with Home Office regulations. You should be able to enter the UK for the short period required using entry clearance as a Standard Visitor, due to the mostly-distance-learning nature of the course. Further guidance on seeking entry clearance to the UK as a Standard Visitor is available on our international webpages.
- Study flexibly from anywhere in the world through primarily online learning, designed to fit around your professional commitments while still connecting you with tutors and fellow educators.
- Go beyond TESOL with a broader focus on multilingual language education, preparing you to teach English and other languages across diverse international and educational contexts.
- Experience intensive hands-on learning during a two-week study period at our Colchester Campus, where you collaborate with other teachers and develop practical skills in materials design and language teaching.
Our expert staff
You will be taught by specialists in language education, applied linguistics, and multilingual learning in the Department of Language and Linguistics. Our academics conduct internationally recognised research that shapes contemporary language education, including multilingual classrooms, language teacher psychology and wellbeing, digital technologies in language learning, and the use of literature and media in language teaching.
Our staff are internationally recognised, and our research has demonstrable impact, with the Department ranked 1st in the UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (REF 2021). We maintain excellent student–staff ratios and bring together expertise from TESOL, applied linguistics, and modern languages.
Teaching on the course draws on research across areas such as multilingual pedagogy, language learner psychology, translanguaging, digital language learning environments, and innovative approaches to language teaching. This research directly informs the design of the course, ensuring that your learning engages with current developments in language education, including AI-supported teaching, multilingual classrooms, and inclusive pedagogies.
Specialist facilities
During the on-campus component of the course, you will benefit from the resources and academic environment of our Department of Language and Linguistics.
You will have access to:
- the Albert Sloman Library, with extensive digital and print collections in language education, TESOL, and applied linguistics
- teaching spaces and digital learning resources that support collaborative learning and materials development
- opportunities to connect with the wider academic community in the Department of Language and Linguistics
During the two-week study period on our Colchester Campus, you will take part in collaborative workshops, materials design activities, and practice-based sessions that allow you to apply course concepts to real teaching contexts and share ideas with other educators.
Your future
This course supports career development for teachers and educators working in language education across a wide range of contexts.
Graduates may pursue roles such as:
- English language teacher or teacher of other additional languages
- language programme coordinator or curriculum designer
- language assessment or testing specialist
- teacher trainer or educational consultant
- leadership roles in language education and programme management
The course is suitable both for experienced teachers seeking to deepen their professional expertise and for graduates looking to enter the field of language teaching. It supports progression into roles involving materials development, curriculum design, assessment development, teacher education, and educational leadership.
Many graduates also continue their academic development through doctoral study in TESOL, applied linguistics, or language education.
Course content
Course structure
The purpose of the list of modules below is to illustrate the variety of topics available. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date, so modules listed are subject to change.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
COMPONENT 01: CORE
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Teaching
This course is designed to support flexible postgraduate study alongside professional commitments.
Most learning takes place online through asynchronous study, allowing you to work through lectures, readings, and activities at times that suit your schedule. Each module also includes three scheduled synchronous sessions, where you meet with tutors and fellow students to discuss key topics, share ideas, and explore practical applications.
Learning activities include:
- recorded lectures and guided readings
- online discussions and collaborative activities
- practical tasks such as materials design and lesson planning
- reflective activities connecting theory with teaching practice
One module includes a two-week on-campus study period at the Colchester Campus, where you will participate in intensive workshops and practice-based activities focused on materials design and teaching practice.
Assessment
Assessment on the course is designed to support professional learning and practical application rather than relying on traditional exams.
You are assessed through a range of work, which may include:
- analytical essays
- evaluation of teaching materials
- design of language learning materials and tasks
- development of language assessment activities
- reflective assignments linking theory with practice
These assessments enable you to demonstrate both academic understanding and professional skills relevant to language teaching.
The course concludes with a practice-based project, which allows you to explore a topic related to your professional interests in depth.
Working with an academic supervisor, you will design and carry out a project that connects research and professional practice in language education. This may involve investigating a teaching issue, developing teaching resources, or evaluating a pedagogical approach in your own or a relevant educational context.
The project enables you to integrate the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme and produce a substantial piece of independent work that supports your professional development.
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
A 2.2 degree or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:
- Education
- English Language and Literature
- English Language Studies
- Linguistics
- Modern Languages
- Teaching (English)
You may also be considered with a lower-class degree if you have teaching experience or if you have a 2:2 degree in an unrelated area but which contains a substantial element of English language, language education, linguistics, language studies or language teaching, or who can demonstrate a personal or professional interest or expertise in English and/or English language teaching.
Do I need a Student Visa?
You will not be able to acquire sponsorship for a student visa to study in the UK for this course, in accordance with Home Office regulations. You should be able to enter the UK for the short period required using entry clearance as a Standard Visitor, due to the mostly-distance-learning nature of the course. Further guidance to seeking entry clearance to the UK as a Standard Visitor is available on our international webpages.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£5,513 per year
International fee
£11,938 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.
We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.
For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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