MA TESOL / Course details

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.

• 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.

• 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.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

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. 

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.