Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MA (Distance Learning)

The Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) masters degree at Aston is suitable for both experienced teachers and those who are early in their teaching career with little classroom experience. The course provides opportunities for in-depth investigations into language pedagogy and the theory of language use and is designed to help you make informed decisions on different aspects of TESOL.

What you’ll learn

The core modules cover the practical and theoretical background to TESOL/English Language Teaching (ELT), helping you to foster a principled approach to pedagogic practice.

You will study how the English Language works and put your learning into practice with real classroom teaching. Through English teaching, you will develop a deeper understanding of the key principles of classroom activities and will be able to evaluate different approaches to teaching and learning.

You will also be introduced to research methods in TESOL/ELT, providing a foundation for your dissertation.

The course provides the flexibility to choose from a wide range of elective modules, enabling you to tailor your masters to suit your interests and future career goals.

Modules

Our MA is designed for those who would like to obtain a substantial postgraduate qualification in the field of TESOL. It is suitable both for those early in their professional lives (who may have little or no teaching experience), as well as those who are experienced teachers.

Core modules

Theory and Practice of English Language Teaching (30 credits)

This module provides you with both a practical and theoretical background to TESOL/ELT, helping to foster a principled approach to pedagogic practice.

Language Awareness (30 credits)

This module aims to provide you with a pedagogically sensitivised approach to the linguistic  description of the English Language, and helps to develop your own understanding of the way the English Language works.

Research Methods in TESOL (15 credits)

This module introduces you to the general nature of research in TESOL/ELT, and provides a foundation for your dissertation.

English Teaching Practice (15 credits)

In the context of undertaking actual classroom teaching you will develop a deeper understanding of the key principles of classroom activities and procedures and will be able to evaluate different approaches to teaching and learning.

Dissertation (60 credits)

You will demonstrate your ability to design, conduct and report the results of a research project in the subject domain relevant to the masters programme. You will work independently, under the guidance of a supervisor.

Optional modules

You will choose two of the following modules, totaling 30 credits.

Analysing Discourse (15 credits)

You will develop your understanding of the fundamentals of text analysis, and gain an overview of major theories and methodologies associated with analysing spoken and written texts.

Teaching English to Young Learners (15 credits)

You will gain an overview of the most common global contexts for teaching English to young learners (TEYL) and be introduced to theories of second language acquisition and cognitive development in relation to TEYL. You will also develop skills in evaluating and preparing syllabi and materials.

Language Contact and Multilingualism (15 credits)

You will study aspects of multilingualism in an increasingly globalised world, in addition to the more traditional aspects of the study of language contact (such as borrowing, code-switching, mixed languages, pidgin and creoles, etc.); the ways in which English has emerged as the currently dominant lingua franca, influencing other languages and how new media, especially the Internet, influence the way speakers of more than one language communicate.

Variation and Change in English (15 credits)

This module explores some of the socially-motivated ways in which English varies and has changed over time. Drawing on a strong foundation of sociolinguistic theory and practice, you will explore a range of text types and consider how English varies according to social factors including gender, age, social class and region. The module will help you to consider how language ideologies shape the ways that we use and talk about language and the reasons for how these may vary over time.

Corpus Linguistics (15 credits)

This module will provide you with advanced digital analysis skills in order to investigate large linguistic and literary datasets. You will learn how to apply theories and methods from corpus linguistics to analyse large and complex corpora, developing skills in digital literacy which can be applied to any area of academic study and to a wide range of professional contexts.

Research Topics in TESOL (15 credits)

Here, in consultation with a member of the teaching team and under their supervision, you have the opportunity to pursue a research project on a specific topic in TESOL of your own choice, which is of particular interest to you and not necessarily available on the programme.

Technology in Language Teaching and Learning (15 credits)

This module familiarises you with the features of different, current learning technologies, provides insight into theoretical and procedural issues concerning the delivery of language teaching  and the opportunities for implementing them.

Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Entry requirements

2:2 degree.

International students

• Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.Find out more about our English language requirements.
   
• For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.
   
• For International Students intending to do a foundation year. Click here to find out more.
   
• Application: We recommend that overseas students apply before the end of June due to visa requirements as these can take a few weeks to process. 

Extensive work experience

We recognise the value of extensive professional experience. If you do not have the academic qualifications, but have extensive and relevant professional experience and a proven ability to succeed, we would welcome your application.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Please note that applicants who have already completed modules 1 and 2 of the DELTA qualification, and are able to provide the relevant documentation to confirm this, can be awarded 30 credits of accreditation of prior learning (APEL) and will be exempt from completing the ‘Theory and Practice of English Language Teaching’ module.

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

Our programme directors are our experts

Learning and teaching

Modules are delivered via a variety of innovative and engaging teaching methods. You will take part in interactive seminars, presentations and group work as well as attending lectures and tutorials. There are also opportunities for classroom teaching and observation, as well as for individual research.

The taught element of the course is complemented by a substantial piece of research leading to the completion of a dissertation in your area of interest.

Study skills

You will be allocated a personal tutor at the start of your course; this member of academic staff can offer individual study advice and guidance and is there to help support your studies.

Furthermore, you will have access to:

• Our Virtual Learning Environment – Blackboard – to support your studies, including Blackboard discussion groups.
• The University Library, including over 25,000 books and a wide range of electronic journals.  The library has special provision in place to help part time and distance learning students access their resources.
• University wide facilities such as the Careers Service, Students’ Advice Centre, Students’ Jobshop, Counselling Service, Sports Facilities and the Chaplaincy.

Assessment

All assessment is by a variety of written assignments, except for Teaching in Practice where assessment involves a series of teaching practice sessions.

Personal development

You will demonstrate your ability to design, conduct and report the results of a research project in the subject domain relevant to the masters programme. You will work independently, under the guidance of a supervisor.

Programme Director(s)

Dr Stephen Pihlaja

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as home students. Further information can be found here.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees and funding

UK postgraduate loans

If you're thinking about studying a masters course with us, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan to help with course fees and living costs. Find out more here.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

Cost shouldn't limit your career aspirations, which is why we are delighted to offer all Aston University graduates (including exchange students) a 20% loyalty scholarship in standard taught MA, MSc and Full-time MBA course fees. Students who have completed their first degree at Aston University will receive an automatic scholarship when applying for their course. If you are not an Aston University graduate there is still a range of UK and international scholarship that you can apply for.

This means that as an Aston University graduate applying to our MA TESOL (Distance Learning) course, you could save...

As an Aston University graduate you will automatically qualify. For more information visit our webpage.

Graduates of the programme are employed in a variety of roles in the field of TESOL including teachers, directors of studies, educational managers, as well as setting up their own schools or working freelance. They work in a wide range of educational settings, both in the UK and internationally.

Aston University was recognised as the 'Best University Placement Service'.

The Careers and Placements team at Aston University won the 'Best University Placement Service' category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2022. This was achieved by launching Virtual Employability Festivals and recognising the power of peer-to-peer communication by pairing 500 students looking for placements with 500 students who had completed placements.

Why should I study my postgraduate degree at Aston University?

There are lots of benefits of studying a postgraduate degree at Aston University.

Watch this video from MBA student, Monique, who talks about just a few of them:

Why should I study Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) MA at Aston?

The Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) MA at Aston will enable you to get a substantial postgraduate qualification in the field of TESOL and put your learning into practice in an exciting and enriching multicultural environment.

Is the Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) MA at Aston suitable for experienced teachers?

The Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) masters degree at Aston is suitable for both experienced teachers and those who are early in their teaching career with little classroom experience.

What are the career prospects for graduates of the Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) MA at Aston?

Graduates of the programme are employed as teachers in a wide range of educational settings, both in the UK and internationally.