TESOL MA

Course structure

The course provides a supportive, stimulating and culturally diverse environment. It is delivered flexibly – the full-time course is taken over one year but you can also take the course part-time, up to six years. Studying part-time means that you can take the option modules in any order, however, you will always undertake the dissertation at the end.

There are two pathways offered. Pathway one is for those with no or little experience in teaching and pathway two is for those who have at least two years of experience. Each of the pathways has two core modules and four option modules. Whichever pathway you take, you will always undertake the dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a 15,000 piece of work. It is the culmination of your MA experience and is based on independent research. It is self-managed, but you have a great deal of support from your supervisor. If you are completing the course in one year, you will start your research in May and complete your dissertation over the summer.

Pathway one

Core and option modules for those who have no or little teaching experience.

Core modules

• The Practice of English Language Teaching – you will study current teaching practices and methods and approaches to lesson planning. You will learn about presenting and practising new language, as well as ways of developing learners’ productive and receptive skills, and have an opportunity to evaluate and produce teaching materials. You will work in a collaborative atmosphere with other students who are at the start of their teaching career, and have opportunities to apply learning to peer teaching experiences. You will be encouraged to learn through reflection. Assessment is by means of a portfolio which includes a detailed lesson plan with accompanying materials, and reflections on the plan and peer teaching.

• Context, Cultures in English Language Teaching – this module is designed for aspiring English language teachers interested in deepening their understanding of the development of ELT practices and of the cultures of teaching associated with it in multiple contexts. There are opportunities to reflect on personal learning histories and to engage with issues relevant to working in international ELT contexts, such as prevailing methods, global materials, variables associated with teaching contexts, and cultures and identities. Assessment is through a portfolio containing reflection on learning, and a presentation on a materials project which is based on teaching and learning within a specific cultural context.

Option modules

• Language Teaching and Technology – you will explore the use of technology, primarily digital, in the second language learning field. You will investigate the technologies, applications and tools available and consider models for their integration into language learning and teaching. It is assessed through a portfolio which contains: three discussion board posts, a group presentation, and an essay.

• Perspectives on World English/es: Theory and Practice – this module is designed to raise your awareness of the global spread of the English language, and the historical, political and sociological factors that have contributed to this development. You will explore the various debates surrounding ownership and use of English in both your own and the wider global context. You will also critically engage with the implications for learning and teaching English. It is assessed through regular reflective responses to assigned reading and a presentation.

• English Language Teaching Materials – this module helps you to evaluate, adapt, supplement and create materials to support language teaching and learning. You investigate the role of the design processes and pedagogical principles underlying materials production. You also explore the appropriacy of different media technologies for materials production. It is assessed through a portfolio of work which includes: materials developed to support an aspect of language work; presentations from seminars; and a written discussion on the design process and its outcomes.

• Language Awareness – you will explore English language and discourse and develop the ability to critically evaluate grammatical frameworks that are currently used in English language teaching worldwide. It is assessed through an examination which asks you to apply learning to teaching problems and issues.

• Second Language Acquisition – you will explore research on second and multilingual language learning from analysis of learner language to current cognitive and sociocultural models. It will also help you to consider the implications of such research for second language teaching and teachers. It is assessed through an essay.

• Teaching English as a Foreign language – this is an optional additional module which you can apply to take. If completed successfully, and combined with MA modules, it will give you an initial TEFL qualification (equivalent to a Certificate in TESOL). The module is assessed through the completion of a reflective portfolio and 6 hours of assessed teaching.

Pathway two

Core and option modules for those who have at least two years of teaching experience.

Core modules 

• Exploring English Language Teaching – you will investigate key aspects of contemporary English language teaching. The module is built around the following areas: teacher beliefs, the teacher’s role and practices, classroom interaction and management, methods and post-method, the role of context, understanding learners, course design and materials. All study is underpinned by the concept of evidence-based teaching. It is assessed through a portfolio containing three posts made to discussion boards, a group presentation and an essay.

Option modules

• Language Teaching and Technology – you will explore the use of technology, primarily digital, in the second language learning field. You will investigate the technologies, applications and tools available and consider models for their integration into language learning and teaching. It is assessed through a portfolio which contains: three discussion board posts, a group presentation, and an essay.

• Perspectives on World English/es: Theory and Practice – this module is designed to raise your awareness of the global spread of the English language, and the historical, political and sociological factors that have contributed to this development. You will explore the various debates surrounding ownership and use of English in both your own and the wider global context. You will also critically engage with the implications for learning and teaching English. It is assessed through regular reflective responses to assigned reading and a presentation.

• English Language Teaching Materials – this module helps you to evaluate, adapt, supplement and create materials to support language teaching and learning. You investigate the role of the design processes and pedagogical principles underlying materials production. You also explore the appropriacy of different media technologies for materials production. It is assessed through a portfolio of work which includes: materials developed to support an aspect of language work; presentations from seminars; and a written discussion on the design process and its outcomes.

• Second Language Acquisition – you will explore research on second and multilingual language learning from analysis of learner language to current cognitive and sociocultural models. It will also help you to consider the implications of such research for second language teaching and teachers. It is assessed through an essay.

• Language Awareness – you will explore English language and discourse and develop the ability to critically evaluate grammatical frameworks that are currently used in English language teaching worldwide. It is assessed through an examination which asks you to apply learning to teaching problems and issues.

• Professional Teaching Practice and Reflection (which leads to a TEFL-Q level qualification) – entry to this module is dependent on having a suitable type of teaching background. This module helps experienced language teachers consolidate and extend their professional skills. This is a career-focused module that enables you to become professionally qualified in TESOL (TEFL-Q). It is assessed by means of 5 observed English language lessons. Each lesson is videoed.

• Teaching English for Academic Purposes - in this module you will explore the specific context of English for Academic Purposes (EAP). This will help you master the practical and theoretical understandings of EAP teaching practices and how they apply to academic culture in the UK and deliver the specific EAP skills that meet student needs. You will also learn how to critically examine and create EAP specific course material and broaden your range of teaching skills.

Student views

TESOL at Brighton – on film

Hear students describe their experience of learning to teach at the University of Brighton.

Thanks to Chiaki Hashizume (English Language Teaching MA), Cristian Palombizio (English Language Teaching MA), Hajoung Ko (TESOL MA), Hasan Mohammad (TESOL MA), Heeho Yang (TESOL MA), Mark Thomas (TESOL with ICT MA), Talitha Tuijin (TESOL MA) and Yuejie Jin (English Language Teaching MA).

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton