Course description
MA TESOL is designed to help experienced teachers of English to speakers of other languages further their professional knowledge and practice. Interested applicants may wish to follow a specialised pathway in one of the following (which can be applied to as separate courses, rather than as MA TESOL alone):
- Educational Technology;
- Intercultural Education;
- Materials and Course Design;
- Teacher Education.
The course enables experienced TESOL practitioners to further their careers through obtaining positions of seniority, undertaking new areas of professional activity or contributing to the professional development of other teachers.
Aims
- Engage in language teacher professional development to further your teaching career.
- Explore and critically understand your own teaching practice through engagement in theories of language teaching and learning and relate these to appropriate, context-sensitive methodology.
- Collaborate with experienced teachers from around the world to reflect on your teaching and learning.
- Develop your knowledge of TESOL-related research and develop your competence in becoming a researcher.
- Develop advanced professional skills in evaluating and designing language materials and courses; teacher training and development; technology-facilitated learning.
Special features
- Education has been a discipline of study at Manchester since 1890.
- Our students come from all over the globe, and our qualifications are recognised across the world.
- The experience our teachers bring to the MA creates a rich ground for collaborative, professional development.
Teaching and learning
The course is taught by lecturers who themselves have been language teachers (TESOL and other languages) with experience of working in Britain and overseas.
Formal lectures are rare, and instead classes tend to mix sections of input with group-work, computer and video activities, simulations and problem-based learning.
We encourage both individual and co-operative learning and research and hope to foster an ethos of lifelong learning.
We aim to build on the expertise of our students, all of whom are experienced teachers, and who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and practical experience from a wide range of different countries.
Explore more about teaching and learning at master's level at The University of Manchester.
Coursework and assessment
All assignments allow you to address an area of contextual relevance and professional interest related to the course you are studying. You are expected to demonstrate an understanding of relevant theory, to use that understanding to reflect on your professional practice, and to demonstrate technical, academic, and professional skills as you develop action. All assignments will be followed by both formative and summative feedback.
Your dissertation work is conducted after the end of the taught course units in Semester 2. You can choose between an empirical, conceptual or a practical dissertation.
Empirical dissertations report on a research project, conceptual dissertations discuss or develop a conceptual understanding or framework of relevance to your professional development; practical dissertations display your ability to develop a course or materials for a particular professional setting based on needs analysis processes.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Beyond Approaches, Methods and Techniques | EDUC70021 | 15 | Mandatory |
Developing Researcher Competence | EDUC70102 | 30 | Mandatory |
Language Awareness for TESOL | EDUC70151 | 15 | Mandatory |
Intro to Educational Video Production | EDUC61632 | 15 | Optional |
Digital Media and Information Literacy | EDUC61712 | 15 | Optional |
Blended Learning in a Digital Age | EDUC70032 | 15 | Optional |
Language Education as Intercultural Practice | EDUC70041 | 15 | Optional |
Teaching and Learning Online | EDUC70050 | 15 | Optional |
Principled Materials and Course Design for TESOL | EDUC70052 | 15 | Optional |
Language Learning and Technology | EDUC70061 | 15 | Optional |
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Facilities
The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) which has its own Student Hub. Here you'll find all your teaching staff and support staff as well as a place to relax with fellow students.
MIE is based in the University's Ellen Wilkinson building, which is centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students' Union.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.
For more information, email dass@manchester.ac.uk