TESOL with ICT MA

Course in brief

The TESOL with ICT MA at Brighton is one of a limited number of courses in the UK that allow language teachers to explore the role of media in the teaching and learning of languages, combining academic study with the design and development of materials.

The course is designed for professionals who already have experience of second language teaching, either in the UK or abroad. As with the other MAs in Brighton's English Language Teacher Development programme, it encourages you to locate your enquiries in your own professional context, so you can apply your newly acquired skills and knowledge directly.

The department has an extensive range of digital media capture and editing equipment, its own dedicated computer pool, and access to a television studio in the Checkland building, allowing you to work with the digital tools required for materials design and production. Typical areas for investigation include print, audio, audiovisual, interactive multimedia, podcasting, e‑learning, social software such as blogs and wikis, and interactive electronic whiteboards.

Our graduates have gone on to successful positions not only in second language teaching but also in the development and evaluation of language learning materials, for example, as project managers, materials authors and developers, self-access centre managers, and teacher trainers in the area of blended learning.

Academic support

We give extra support to TESOL students whose first language is not English, providing a variety of pre-sessional language programmes for students who want to improve their language skills before starting their degree.

We also organise a regular writing group for our international students, led by an experienced English for Academic Study tutor. To find out more about how the writing group could benefit you, watch this video by former TESOL student Sarah Varney.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

Full-time 1 year
Part-time Up to 6 years

Apply online

Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

Apply now for your place

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2016. They should be used as a general guide. If you are thinking of starting your course in 2015 contact the course team for entry requirements.

Degree and/or experience
The MA is usually open to second language teachers with more than two years of teaching experience. Places are normally given to those who have a good first degree (BA or BSc), and a high standard of spoken and written English. It is also an advantage to have some form of initial teaching qualification.

Credit towards the MA (up to 60 credits) can be given to applicants who have completed our own Diploma in TESOL (level 7), or who have completed an equivalent Diploma in TESOL (such as the DELTA or Trinity Diploma in TESOL).

English language requirements
IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with no significant weaknesses in any particular area of the test.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

The TESOL with ICT MA is based on the idea that theory, practice and research in the field of teaching, learning and media are inextricably linked. All modules relate theories and research to professional problems, including both general issues and the individual professional issues of our students.

The course will help you to:

Deepen your knowledge of second language teaching and learning
Develop a critical understanding of a range of issues informing your own professional practice
Increase your expertise in evaluating, exploiting and developing appropriate learning resources for language teaching, particularly in the area of media use
Develop independent research skills and gain insight into MALT-related problems through applying those skills
Broaden the range of professional roles you can play and thereby enhance your career prospects

Core modules include a 15,000 dissertation and are supplemented by two option modules. Most involve three hours' attendance per week and at least 6-10 hours of self-study. Assessment for each module usually involves around 40-50 hours of additional work.

Areas of study

Language Teaching and Technology

This module covers the use of (primarily digital) technology in the second language learning field. Students explore the technologies, applications and tools available and consider models for their integration into language learning and teaching. Relevant topics include text manipulation, computers and second language writing, blogs and wikis, social media, interactive whiteboards, digital play, concordancing, mobile devices and pod/vodcasting. The module is assessed through an analysis and evaluation of the ways a specific digital technology may be used to support the teaching and learning of a second language.

Second Language Teaching

The Second Language Teaching module focuses on classroom interaction and management; the evolution of course design and delivery; understanding learners' needs and attributes; and the role of social contexts in second language course design and delivery. Developments in each of these areas are examined in terms of their impact on language learners and teachers. Students will bring together the different issues they have studied in an investigation of one particular aspect of language teaching.

English Language Teaching Materials

This module will develop your ability to produce effective materials to support the teaching and learning of second languages. This will be achieved by emphasising the importance of design processes for materials production, by investigating the potential of different media to address specific learner needs, and by exploring the suitability of different technologies for materials production and delivery.

Option: Investigating Language Classrooms

This module involves first-hand classroom observation. You deliver a presentation based on a classroom enquiry, including reflections on the relevance of the observation to your personal teaching context.

Option: Language Awareness

The Language Awareness module furthers your understanding of English language and discourse. It develops an ability to critically evaluate analytical and classificatory frameworks that are currently used in English language teaching. You are assessed through an exam that tests your understanding of pedagogic grammar and discourse.

Option: Language Teacher Education

This module will help you understand what language teachers need to know and how they learn to become effective educators. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of a wide range of education and training tools and strategies – including digital media – to support initial teacher training and longer-term teaching development. The module is ideal for someone wanting to design and lead teacher training or development programmes.

Option: Second Language Acquisition

This module explores research on second language learning – from the analysis of learner language to cognitive and sociocultural models of SLA – with a focus on the implications of SLA research for English language teaching. An examination of contemporary research and theories helps you to draw important implications for teaching practice.

Option: Teaching English as an International Language

In this module you will be able to raise your awareness of the varieties of English used both nationally and internationally. You will explore the factors that have led to this diversity and consider the implications of teaching and learning English as an international language.

Modules

Research Methods for Investigating Second Language Teaching and Learning
Language Teaching and Technology
Second Language Teaching
English Language Teaching Materials
Dissertation

Two from:

Investigating Language Classrooms
Language Awareness
Language Teacher Education
Second Language Acquisition
Teaching English as an International Language

Student views

Robyn Moallemi

“I chose to study the TESOL with ICT MA because it combines two of my professional and personal interests: languages and technology. Since my first degree in French language with media studies, I have had a keen interest in how media and creative practices can motivate and engage language learners. Having been out of education as a student for eight years, I realised that I needed a challenge and wanted to develop both personally and professionally.

"The course has offered fantastic opportunities to learn and be updated on teaching and learning approaches, second language acquisition theories, teacher development and teaching with technologies. I left every class wanting to try something new and creative with my students.

"Meeting teachers from around the world and sharing ideas and stories of teaching have made me reflect on my own teaching practice. I feel that I have already developed and hope to continue to develop as I use technology to engage, inspire and motivate more students than ever before.”

Film about TESOL at Brighton

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).

Careers and employability

The TESOL with ICT MA equips language teachers for roles of responsibility and creativity in managing the use of educational technologies to support language teaching and learning, developing language learning materials, designing courses, and educating language teachers.

Graduates have gone on to successful positions as project managers, materials authors and developers, self-access centre managers and teacher trainers. A high proportion work in universities both in the UK and around the world, for example as a senior lecturer in e-learning and ICT, a senior lecturer in media, and a curriculum and education development manager.

Students have also gone on to work in companies that produce or deliver language learning materials or instruction. They include the co-founder of a successful electronic publishing house, a principal developer in the UK's leading e-learning company, and a manager of educational technologies in British Council schools.

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time)6,120 GBP

International (full-time)14,490 GBP

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.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2017–18. Tuition fees are payable for each year that you study with us.

Where UK/EU students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

You can find out more about our fees in the 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- 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Brighton has been called the happiest place in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. With five miles of pebble beach, more than 300 pubs and a packed festival calendar, Brighton is the ideal place to spend your student years.

Arts and culture: The Royal Pavilion is the most famous landmark in Brighton, opening its doors to around 400,000 tourists every year. Right next door is the Brighton Dome, the south coast’s premier multi-arts venue, and the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which holds a diverse collection of decorative arts, textiles and archaeological artefacts.

Festivals: The Brighton Festival is now the largest arts festival in England and a major milestone in the international cultural calendar. Meanwhile, The Great Escape has been established as the UK’s leading event for new music, with over 300 bands playing 30 venues across the city over three days.

Nightlife: Aside from the many nightclubs that line the city’s seafront, student favourites include The Haunt, Concorde 2 and Patterns, which attract leading bands and DJs from around the world. If you don’t feel like dancing, you can take your pick from the many hundreds of pubs and bars that dot the city centre.

Shopping: The quirky North Laine district houses Brighton’s finest collection of boutique shops and independent cafes, while the narrow, winding streets of the South Lanes house collections of jewellery and antiques. Churchill Square is the city’s main shopping centre and serves all of your high street needs.

Sports: Brighton’s seaside location offers the perfect opportunity to try paddle boarding, kayaking and windsurfing. Further into the city, The Level has a skate park for skateboarders and BMX riders to practise their skills.

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Our Grand Parade campus is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance. We have around 300 rooms available in Phoenix Brewery, which are all ensuite and self-catered.

Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus. All accommodation in Moulsecoomb Place is catered, offering breakfast and an evening meal during term time. There are more than 150 rooms available here, with six to eight rooms per flat.

Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence. The site is four miles from Brighton centre but within walking distance of Falmer train station.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field. Great Wilkins offers 150+ self-catered single rooms and one-bed couples flats, while Paddock Field offers 450+ catered and self-catered single rooms only. All rooms in Falmer are en-suite.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. The rent covers all utilities and includes £5,000 of contents insurance for your personal belongings.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our Brighton accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field