Program Overview

Are you interested in a career in English Language Teaching? Studying an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Hertfordshire will give you an in-depth knowledge of this global language and the skills to teach it, opening up opportunities for you to become part of the growing international academic and professional English Language Teaching community.

Our MA TESOL is a one-year full-time, or two-year part-time, course for graduates in English or related subjects such as Education or Languages, with little or no teaching experience, who want a practical preparation in English Language Teaching at postgraduate level.

A key feature of this MA TESOL is its practical teaching element. Supported throughout by our experienced staff, you will first observe and then participate in practice teaching sessions right from the start of the two taught semesters, teaching international students who are studying at the University of Hertfordshire.

Teaching these volunteer students in small groups, you will build your skills in lesson planning, preparing case studies and delivering and receiving detailed peer and teacher feedback.

Alongside your guided classroom teaching you will follow a comprehensive range of modules that link language teaching theory and practice, enabling you to develop academic research skills while gaining a strong foundation in English Language Teaching.

Our small group teaching ensures you’re fully supported by your tutors, with opportunities to reflect on your teaching practice from theoretical and research-based perspectives, appropriate for Masters-level study.

The module Linguistic Analysis for Language Teaching will provide an in-depth analysis of the phonology, grammar and pragmatics of spoken and written English to enhance your knowledge of the language. Teaching English as an International Language will enable you to explore how English has been used around the world, how it continues to develop to meet localised needs, and the implications of this for English Language Teaching.

Course & Syllabus Design in English Language Teaching will equip students interested in setting up language schools or tutoring businesses with key skills, while Blended Learning in English Language Teaching explores new developments in the use of technology in the classroom.

Research Methods and Dissertation Skills will help prepare you for your dissertation in the final semester.  The dissertation will allow you to explore your choice of subject – located within the field of TESOL – in depth, bringing theory and practice together.

Why choose this course?
Top reasons to study MA TESOL at the University of Hertfordshire

You will be:

• Teaching overseas students right from the start of the course
• Gaining both teaching skills and in-depth subject knowledge
• Learning about research-informed practice and developing your own research skills
• Equipped to choose from many career options including teaching English in different countries; teaching English for Academic or Specific Purposes (EAP/ESP) at university level; progress to a more senior teaching position such as Director of Studies or teacher trainer; set up an online tutoring business; marketing; publishing, materials design; examining; PhD study