MSc programmes in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Key information

Aston University runs the following MSC programmes in English teaching:

MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
MSc in Teaching English for Specific Purposes (TESP)
MSc in Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL)
MSc in Educational Management in TESOL (EMT)

Duration of programme: 2 - 5 years (part-time, distance learning)
Start date(s): April and October
Distance learning available: Available
Intake: Approximately 50 per year

Fees:
UK/EU students: Please contact the School
International students: Please contact the School

These fees apply to students who complete the MSc in 3 years. After this time, a continuation fee of £500 per year will apply

Application & contact:
Apply for this course online

LSS Postgraduate Admissions
Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 3762
Fax: +44 (0) 121 204 3766
Email: lss_pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Programme outline and modules

Our Masters programmes in TESOL by distance learning are designed to meet the academic and professional needs of experienced teachers of English to speakers of other languages.

The course offers you a flexible and situated learning experience which is both academically rigorous and professionally rewarding. Once completed, you should have a firm grasp of key issues in the field of TESOL and be thoroughly acquainted with the literature. You will be able to make informed decisions on any aspect of TESOL and to support these with reasoned argument.

MSc Awards

We offer four strands to allow you to structure your Masters programme as effectively as possible and to ensure that your studies provide the required knowledge and skills to enable you to excel in your area of expertise. Each strand has a core module which you must successfully complete in order to be considered for the named award. Your dissertation must be focused on an area pertinent to the named award.

The four stands and their core modules are:

MSc TESOL (Core module: Methodology)
MSc TESP (Core module: Course and Syllabus Design)
MSc TEYL (Core module: Teaching Young Learners)
MSc EMT (Core module: Education Management)

Modules

The Analysis of Spoken Interaction (elective for all programmes)
The Analysis of Written Discourse (elective for all programmes)
Foundation (core for all programmes)
Methodology (core for TESOL, elective for other programmes)
Course and Materials Design (core for TESP, elective for other programmes)
Educational Management in TESOL (EMT) (core for EMT, elective for other programmes)
Grammar and Lexis (elective for all programmes)
Teaching Young Learners (core for TEYL, elective for other programmes)

Entry requirements

You should normally have a first degree or a degree-equivalent professional qualification and two years teaching experience.

International students whose native language is not English and have not completed a full degree programme taught in English, will also need to obtain:

An overall IELTS score of 7 with a minimum of Band 7 in Speaking and Writing and Band 6.5 in Reading and Listening, or

TOEFL score of 620 paper-based test (with TWE of 5.0), 260 computer-based test (with TWE of 5.0) or 105 internet-based test with a minimum of 25 in Writing and Speaking and 23 in Reading and Writing.

Please note that IELTS and TOEFL results that are more than 2 years old will not be accepted.

Learning, teaching & assessment

Teaching is via distance learning course materials, additional required reading,
assignment tasks and virtual learning environment discussion groups.

All assessment is by written assignment. The Foundation Module must be completed by the end of the first year of registration and participants must complete at least one module per year. The dissertation is based on research on a chosen topic.

Career opportunities

Graduates of our Distance Learning TESOL programmes work as teachers in TESOL all over the world.

Personal development

This course helps you to develop relevant professional skills, research skills and report writing skills.

Facilities & equipment

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 Chaplaincy.

Course director

Fiona Copland is the Course Director for MSc TESOL programmes. She has a PhD in Education and a wealth of experience in the field of TESOL from Nigeria, Hong Kong, Japan and UK. Her main interest is in teacher education for TESOL and she has published in this area. She is also interested in research methodologies, particularly those which combine linguistic and ethnographic approaches. Fiona is Module Tutor for Analysis of Spoken Interaction and Teaching Young Learners.