Develop sought-after skills in teaching English to non-native speakers and open the door to new career opportunities with this MA based in Durham University’s Centre for Academic Development.
The MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics offers excellent opportunities to develop your career in English language teaching whether you’re an inexperienced teacher, starting out in the field or a more experienced teacher looking to take your skills to a new level.
Guided by our English language specialists, you can build a skillset that you can take into primary, secondary and higher education institutions as well as specialist language schools and adult education settings. This flexible MA opens the door to a wider range of career pathways, whether you’re interested in teaching non-native speakers in the UK, applying your learning to curriculum development or teaching English overseas.
The course offers a core of theory and practice which is informed by contemporary developments in the TESOL field. It combines innovative classroom practices in areas such as syllabus design and assessment with an understanding of issues such as language structure and research methodology. This approach provides opportunities to test your knowledge of contemporary TESOL theory in a classroom setting and refine your skills as you progress.
Optional modules covering a wide range of areas relevant to English language teaching are divided into two pathways, a TESOL pathway and an Applied Linguistics pathway with some shared modules. This allows you to build the course around your interests and career goals.
The course culminates in the MA dissertation in which you plan, research and write an independent research project on a related area of interest.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Language for Teaching
examines the phonological, lexical, grammatical and discoursal features of spoken and written language. You will learn to identify the key features, understand concepts, use linguistic terminology and critically evaluate language. You will also develop a deeper understanding of the differences between written and spoken text, and how to predict, identify and explain linguistic errors.
Classroom Methods
teaches the core theories and methodologies from the field of applied linguistics that underpin the teaching of both skills and language knowledge in second-language classrooms. You will learn to consider the most appropriate approach to use in different teaching contexts and provide a rationale for your decisions.
Research Methods
supports you in developing an understanding of key research approaches and methods in the fields of TESOL and Applied Linguistics. You will learn to apply and critically evaluate the approaches and methods in your own research.
Fundamentals of English Language Teaching
introduces core ideas and issues relevant to second language acquisition, syllabus design and methodology. You will learn to critically discuss key issues in English language teaching and to evaluate the merits of various language syllabuses.
The Dissertation
is an in-depth independent study focusing on an area of language description, pedagogy, acquisition or related area of TESOL and Applied Linguistics studies. The 15,000-word dissertation is the culmination of the MA, bringing together elements of learning from across the course.
Optional modules:
You then choose four further modules from a wide range of options. The optional modules are divided into two pathways, TESOL and Applied Linguistics and have previously included:
The MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics is delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, practical sessions and micro-teaching sessions, giving you a solid grounding in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject.
During the first two terms there will be around 12 hours of teaching per week, with delivery methods varying depending on the module. Some modules are more suited to a lecture/seminar approach, with others being more practical in nature.
Structured learning sessions are supported by independent learning based around reading, class preparation and assignments. Student engagement is an important element of the course, and you are expected to participate in presentations and micro-teaching sessions throughout the course.
Core modules make up one third of the MA, with a further third made up of optional modules. The MA dissertation makes up the final third of the course. This significant piece of independent research brings together the theoretical and practical elements of the course. While this is an independent piece of work, you will attend dissertation sessions (typically 2 hours per fortnight) culminating in a poster conference in the third term and you will be assigned a dissertation supervisor, who you will meet with three or four times during the final term and the summer.
Assessment
The majority of core and optional modules are assessed via written assignments ranging from essays and teaching plans to assessment designs, reflections on teaching practice and presentations.
The 15,000-word dissertation makes up one-third of your credits. In comparison to undergraduate study, you will find that a Master’s degree requires an increased level of independent learning.
Entry requirements
A 2.1 (or overseas equivalent) degree in any discipline.
A 500-word personal statement which should include the following:
An outline of your interest in MA TESOL and applied linguistics
An indication of what skills and knowledge you would hope to acquire
Outlining any prior teaching experience you may have, especially teaching other languages
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
English Language education at Durham produces inspirational teachers of English as a second language who are capable of using their learned skills and knowledge for a range of employers across the globe.
As the demand for English continues to grow, the countries of origin of graduates broadens and has included Algeria, Chile, China, Egypt, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Poland, South Korea, Spain and the USA.
The professional skills that our graduates develop enables them to find posts, not only as teachers but also as managers in language schools, colleges of further education, universities or working in organisations such as the British Council. Graduates have also gone into publishing and research.
We also offer the opportunity to enhance your degree, with specialisms in areas such as Teaching English for Academic Purposes, Young Learners, and English for Specific Purposes.
Department information
English Language
Focusing on the teaching of English as a second language, we provide opportunities to embark on a fulfilling career developing spoken and written English skills among communities across the world.
English Language provision at Durham is based in Durham Centre for Academic Development. The Centre offers support to postgraduate, undergraduate or pre-university entry level students and accommodates a wide range of language teaching experience.
Reflecting the continuing growth in the worldwide demand for English, the Centre provides the MA in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. This highly successful course delivers a mix of theoretical and practical learning in English language teaching, teacher education and academic skills development, to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become outstanding teachers of English as a second language.
We focus on providing a learning experience that consistently goes beyond the expectations widely held by UK and international students, enabling our students to participate in a life-changing educational journey.
Through our academic staff, who are wide-ranging subject experts, we combine innovative classroom practices with an understanding of features such as language structure and research methodology. We provide many opportunities to apply your learning and to develop the necessary skills to be able to teach English as a second language.
The learning environment is vibrant and diverse with an engaged student body that is committed to making its teaching ambitions a reality and to inspire and educate communities and individuals across the world.
Facilities
The Durham Centre for Academic Development's main teaching and learning space is located in the award-winning Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) on the main campus and near the centre of the city.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
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