COURSE OVERVIEW

Birkbeck's specialist course in language teaching/teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is ideal if you wish to progress to a more senior or specialised position in language teaching. You will already have experience of teaching second or foreign languages, or a strong academic background in a relevant subject and an interest in the theory and practice of language teaching.

This course is specially structured to bridge the gap between theory and practice and help you reflect on the important balance between them. You will develop knowledge in key areas of research and gain further confidence in your own practice through appreciating individual and cultural styles of learning and communication. By advancing your knowledge of current literature and carrying out your own research for course assignments, you will be able to engage critically and constructively in debates relating to many aspects of language teaching.

Our MA uniquely offers you:

a focus on the multilingual and multicultural contexts of language learning and teaching

the opportunity to learn with students from all over the world and share experiences with locally based teachers to gain an insight into a range of language teaching contexts in the UK

the chance to choose between your dissertation pathways - an empirical research investigation of an aspect of language teaching and learning or an independent library-based project on a relevant topic of your choice.

An important feature of this MA is its flexibility. You can follow your professional interests and choose to study aspects of teaching English and graduate with an MA TESOL, or you can focus on the teaching of languages other than English and graduate with an MA Language Teaching.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

If you are an experienced teacher this MA will help you to progress to a more senior or specialised position in language teaching, such as a:

senior teacher

director of studies

teacher trainer

consultant

materials developer

Graduates of all programmes can also pursue career paths in local and national government, the charity sector, public relations and the media, marketing, lexicography and translation, and tourism/hospitality. Possible professions include:

language teacher (TESOL)

secondary/further/higher education lecturer

publisher