Curious about studying MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)at University of Essex? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
University of Essex
Full Time
Jan 2027
1 Year
This is a Masters course that can take you into employment anywhere in the world.If you are enthusiastic about teaching English to speakers of other languages, then our course offers you vocationally-relevant, research-led training of the highest quality, taught by academics known for their teaching excellence.You explore teaching methods and the description of English used in the investigation of language learning and teaching, and study additional topics according to your needs.You also gain hands-on teaching experience through our one-term Teaching Practice module.Whether you have no prior teaching experience or are already an English language teacher, this course can be adapted to suit you. If you have little or no previous teaching experience, you receive ‘hands on’ teaching practice throughout our teaching practice module, while if you already have substantial teaching experience, you can undertake specialist study through our educational leadership and management options insteadYou'll be part of our Centre for Research in Language Development throughout the Lifespan (LaDeLi), a unique research centre specialising in all aspects of language learning and development.
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. The module will examine the impact of a number of language-independent affective psychological factors (motivation, learner identity, learner and teacher beliefs, anxiety, learner autonomy) on foreign language learning and teaching.
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. What are the similarities between first and second language acquisition? And what are the differences? How does this change between child and adult second language acquisition? Study the key concepts around language acquisition. Evaluate, compare and contrast the main theories and empirical research.
You can choose to do either LG504-7-SP Language Testing and Assessment or LG657-7-SP English for Specific Purposes: Traditions and Practices in Language Teaching. This module focuses on how language testing and assessment have developed in educational settings, by looking at the types and purposes of tests and the processes involved in test design and administration. It also considers high-stakes testing and language exams. Additionally, the module covers key concepts and principles of language testing and the theoretical foundations and practical implications surrounding testing of language skills within general English and English for Specific/Academic Purposes (ESP/EAP).
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of Teaching English to Young Learners, referring to children and adolescents. You?ll become familiar with theories surrounding language acquisition among children and the different aspects of their psychology in instructed classroom settings. You will also consider how young learners' language skills could be assessed and tested.
You can choose to do either LG655-7-SP Teaching Practice II or LG656-7-SP Educational Leadership and Management. During this module you have the opportunity to gain hands on experience teaching real students. You will be able to have individual tutorials for advice on lesson plans and materials prior to teaching your own classes.
You can choose to do either LG655-7-SP Teaching Practice II or LG656-7-SP Educational Leadership and Management. Reflect on your experiences as a teacher and consider how you could optimise your teaching to meet your learners? needs and your own. This module will include small-group discussions and input sessions, so you really have the opportunity to reflect on your individual practices and career.
You can choose to do either LG504-7-SP Language Testing and Assessment or LG657-7-SP English for Specific Purposes: Traditions and Practices in Language Teaching. What is English for Specific Purposes (ESP). and who teaches it? Is English for Academic Purposes the same as ESP? Engage in the current debates and practices within the broad field of ESP. You will explore the connections between such fields as EAP, Discourse Analysis and use of Copora in ESP and look at the ways in which these areas of the field of English Language Teaching have emerged and developed over time and across educational contexts. exploring the different academic traditions from which these approaches draw.
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the main approaches and methods used in English Language Teaching (ELT). You will study the different theoretical and historical contexts of language teaching and look at how these different approaches and methods have shaped pedagogy, practice and course design. You will explore key aspects of teacher development such as professional identity, teacher language and teacher psychology and look at the different ways in which these influence and shape teaching practice.
What interests you? Write a 16,000-word dissertation on a research topic of your choosing, with supervision from our expert staff. Gain research planning, organisational and project management skills while increasing your knowledge of the subject. Build your research abilities for future employment or a PhD.
What are research methods? What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative research? Learn more about the research tools available for studying applied linguistics and TEFL. Examine each available research method in-depth. Build your understanding, while preparing for your MA dissertation or other future research projects.
The module aims to explore some of the different ways in which theories have shaped and informed the different approaches to the teaching of reading and writing in English Language Teaching (ELT). By studying these ideas you will deepen your understanding of the different ways in which reading and writing is understood and conceptualised, and give you a theoretical platform from which to consider, and reflect upon, your own experiences and approaches to teaching reading and writing.
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. The module will examine the impact of a number of language-independent affective psychological factors (motivation, learner identity, learner and teacher beliefs, anxiety, learner autonomy) on foreign language learning and teaching.
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. What are the similarities between first and second language acquisition? And what are the differences? How does this change between child and adult second language acquisition? Study the key concepts around language acquisition. Evaluate, compare and contrast the main theories and empirical research.
You can choose to do either LG504-7-SP Language Testing and Assessment or LG657-7-SP English for Specific Purposes: Traditions and Practices in Language Teaching. This module focuses on how language testing and assessment have developed in educational settings, by looking at the types and purposes of tests and the processes involved in test design and administration. It also considers high-stakes testing and language exams. Additionally, the module covers key concepts and principles of language testing and the theoretical foundations and practical implications surrounding testing of language skills within general English and English for Specific/Academic Purposes (ESP/EAP).
You can choose to do either LG429-7-AU Topics in the Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching or LG503-7-AU Theories of Second Language Acquisition or LG540-7-AU Teaching Younger Learners. This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of Teaching English to Young Learners, referring to children and adolescents. You?ll become familiar with theories surrounding language acquisition among children and the different aspects of their psychology in instructed classroom settings. You will also consider how young learners' language skills could be assessed and tested.
You can choose to do either LG655-7-SP Teaching Practice II or LG656-7-SP Educational Leadership and Management. During this module you have the opportunity to gain hands on experience teaching real students. You will be able to have individual tutorials for advice on lesson plans and materials prior to teaching your own classes.
You can choose to do either LG655-7-SP Teaching Practice II or LG656-7-SP Educational Leadership and Management. Reflect on your experiences as a teacher and consider how you could optimise your teaching to meet your learners? needs and your own. This module will include small-group discussions and input sessions, so you really have the opportunity to reflect on your individual practices and career.
You can choose to do either LG504-7-SP Language Testing and Assessment or LG657-7-SP English for Specific Purposes: Traditions and Practices in Language Teaching. What is English for Specific Purposes (ESP). and who teaches it? Is English for Academic Purposes the same as ESP? Engage in the current debates and practices within the broad field of ESP. You will explore the connections between such fields as EAP, Discourse Analysis and use of Copora in ESP and look at the ways in which these areas of the field of English Language Teaching have emerged and developed over time and across educational contexts. exploring the different academic traditions from which these approaches draw.
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the main approaches and methods used in English Language Teaching (ELT). You will study the different theoretical and historical contexts of language teaching and look at how these different approaches and methods have shaped pedagogy, practice and course design. You will explore key aspects of teacher development such as professional identity, teacher language and teacher psychology and look at the different ways in which these influence and shape teaching practice.
What interests you? Write a 16,000-word dissertation on a research topic of your choosing, with supervision from our expert staff. Gain research planning, organisational and project management skills while increasing your knowledge of the subject. Build your research abilities for future employment or a PhD.
What are research methods? What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative research? Learn more about the research tools available for studying applied linguistics and TEFL. Examine each available research method in-depth. Build your understanding, while preparing for your MA dissertation or other future research projects.
The module aims to explore some of the different ways in which theories have shaped and informed the different approaches to the teaching of reading and writing in English Language Teaching (ELT). By studying these ideas you will deepen your understanding of the different ways in which reading and writing is understood and conceptualised, and give you a theoretical platform from which to consider, and reflect upon, your own experiences and approaches to teaching reading and writing.
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