(Full time) 2023 start
TESOL Studies MA
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
MA TESOL Studies provides candidates who have little or no previous experience of teaching with the opportunity to study for a Masters degree in English language teaching, offering an excellent step towards a career in TESOL.
You will explore the essential elements in language teaching, studying the processes of learning and teaching language, in addition to the study of language itself. You will also develop the knowledge and skills required to evaluate TESOL theoretical frameworks, materials and procedures in addition to those required for the practical management of the classroom.
Language education expertise
The Language Education team in the School of Education is nationally and internationally recognised for its range of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and consultancy work in TESOL, ELT, EFL, ESOL, EAL, Modern Foreign Languages, and Applied Linguistics. The Team are members of the Centre for Language Education Research (CLER). Find out more about CLER.
As a large team of education practitioners, we have a wide range of experience of teaching and teacher education work in many contexts in the UK and around the world. As researchers, we have a broad range of expertise across the discipline with ongoing research projects in teacher development, language use in migrant communities, learning with digital technologies, and IELTS preparation courses.
Course content
In semester one, you will study three core modules exploring the English language, how second languages are learned and, in general terms, how they may be taught. In semester two, you will study the practicalities of teaching English, experience planning and teaching a lesson through micro-teaching and have a chance to specialise through choosing from a set of modules including Teaching Academic English and Assessing Language Learning.
You will use the knowledge and skills you gain over the course of the year to carry out a small-scale piece of research related to your own interests within TESOL.
To support your work on your research project, you will take a compulsory research methods course. Help with your academic writing is available throughout the year through a specially designed course for MA TESOL Studies students.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Research Methods and Dissertation in MA TESOL programmes and MA TESOL Studies 60 credits
- Analysing Language Learning 30 credits
- Analysing Language Teaching 15 credits
- Language Teaching Methodology 30 credits
- Analysing Language 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also study 30 credits from the below modules:
- Creative Inquiry, Communication and Learning 30 credits
- Technology Enhanced Language Learning 30 credits
- Digital Education in Practice 30 credits
- Designing Digital Education 30 credits
- Learning and Teaching Vocabulary 15 credits
- Grammar, Learning and Teaching 15 credits
- Teaching Academic English 15 credits
- Corpus Linguistics in the Classroom 15 credits
- Tasks and Materials for TESOL 15 credits
- Assessing Language Learning 15 credits
- Teaching Languages to Young Learners 30 credits
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods including seminars, tutorials, and group work. Each module combines on-line and face-to-face teaching. Independent study is an important aspect of this programme, either alone or in a group, as it allows you to develop key research, analysis and communication skills and develop your own ideas.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Your modules are assessed through, for example, written assignments, oral presentations and reflective portfolios. To help you prepare, you will have support from your tutor through formative feedback on a plan or outline. You will also complete group projects and project reports.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree (hons) with a 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a subject that shows a strong grounding in English Language and/or Education, Linguistics or Foreign Languages. High grades in these subjects are essential.
This programme is designed for students who do not have the two years of experience needed for our other TESOL programmes.
Beyond a first degree of an appropriate standard and appropriate English language skills, we have no specific requirements. However, we do prefer applicants who can demonstrate an interest in the field of language teaching, for example having been involved in tutoring.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
International – Thursday 29 June 2023
UK – Friday 18 August 2023
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information we will need include:
Original or certified copies of your transcripts
Original or certified copies of your degree certificate
Original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language)
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £10,750 (total)
- International: £24,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
The majority of our students are international students, and they tend to return to their home countries to embark on careers in English language teaching in primary, secondary or tertiary education in the private or public sectors.
Many such graduates are now teaching in, for example, university language centres, private language schools, or state secondary schools in the Middle East, China, Japan, Korea or Cyprus.
Each year we do have some UK students, some of whom remain in the UK teaching ESOL, while others go abroad.
The methodological skills and theoretical knowledge our students develop have allowed some to move into teaching other languages, such as Chinese.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.