School of Education - Enrichment

Taught postgraduate internships

Our MA TESOL Studies and MA TESOL students have the opportunity to take part in a highly competitive international teaching internship. Each year, a group of students, accompanied by a member of staff, travel to Armenia for a two-week internship organised in collaboration with the American University of Armenia (AUA).

During the first week, students observe English language classes with learners aged 6–16, gaining insight into different teaching approaches and contexts. In the second week, they design and deliver their own lessons, supported by experienced AUA mentors who provide guidance and feedback on both lesson planning and classroom practice. Alongside developing their teaching skills, students also explore the history, culture, and landscapes of Armenia.

Participants highly value this internship, describing it as “a rich and memorable experience”. They highlight that observing “experienced teachers in action had a big impact", and that teaching and receiving feedback was “an incredibly valuable learning moment.”

The internship is part-subsidised by the School of Education, helping to make this valuable international experience more accessible.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, find out more about our programme and apply to study with us.

You can also read about this year’s students’ experiences in Armenia here.

 We are always interested in exploring new ideas for internships with with existing and potential partners.  If you would like to talk to us, then please email us on EDU_partnerships@leeds.ac.uk. 

Conference attendance bursaries

Attending a conference is a great way for our postgraduates to learn about current research. The School of Education helps them by sponsoring a group of students to attend the flagship TESOL conference, the annual conference of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language.

As one postgraduate attendee said,

Attending the conference was useful because it not only deepened my knowledge of English language teaching but, more importantly, broadened my horizons on what an international academic community looks like. I met professionals from all over the world and made some valuable connections.

The conference attendees receive a briefing before departure, with help and advice on which conference events would best connect with their professional interests. When they return, they give a presentation about the event for their classmates.

 

The experience helps ready our students to engage with professional meetings and events, and this is an important form of life-long professional development.

I became more aware of how to design simple but engaging activities, especially for young learners, and how to scaffold learning more effectively. I also got some useful ideas about using digital tools, including AI, in a more meaningful way to support learning... Overall it made me feel more confident as a future teacher.

Find out more about our MA TESOL and MA TESOL Studies programmes.