Boost your classroom experience and future employability with our MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Ideal for both newcomers and experienced educators, you’ll dive into English and how to teach it effectively, including using technology in the classroom. Through our hands-on approach, you'll observe and practice teaching in real classrooms, preparing you for the modern teaching landscape. Plus, you'll have the chance to boost your employability with the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages alongside your Masters.
About this course
This TESOL course offers a deep dive into teaching English to non-native speakers, combining theory and practice across three trimesters.
The course starts with foundational concepts, then on to practical teaching skills, and ends with an extended research project or dissertation – you choose. You’ll be assessed through a series of assignments, evaluations, and your final project/dissertation.
To ensure that you understand the cornerstones of TESOL, the course teaches you about teacher language awareness, language learning theory, and language teaching methodology, covering grammar, phonology, vocabulary, and discourse.
You'll also investigate language learning models from psychology, linguistics, and education, and explore historical and contemporary teaching approaches within TESOL. You'll creatively apply these TESOL principles to your own future classroom scenarios, developing lesson plans, conducting lessons, and reflecting on your teaching methods.
Plus, support from tutors, a dedicated dissertation supervisor, and access to workshops and online resources will provide you with essential transferable skills for your future career or further studies.
We offer modules in both the daytime and evenings, so you can find a pattern of delivery that fits with your other commitments, whether you are working, volunteering or studying full time. In 2024-25 you can choose evening modules from: Coaching and Mentoring, Early Childhood, Leadership and Management or Social Justice and Community Engagement as well as the mandatory modules shared by all pathways.
Module options
For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.
Filters
Contemporary and Critical Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Context
This module forms an essential component of your masters programme. It supports the development of key skills that are necessary for study at Level 7, including the development of core and essential skills relating to critical reflection and critical analysis, alongside an introduction to critical theory. It allows engagement with issues relating to specialist areas relevant to your programme of study while also opening up avenues for broader exploration. Drawing on diverse perspectives from a range of global contexts, it ensures that education is explored across broad and diverse perspectives.
core
30 credits
Exploring Foundations of TESOL
Develop awareness of three ‘cornerstones’ of professional theory and practice to support your development as an effective, critical TESOL practitioner. First, teacher language awareness, developing your own ability to use, analyse and teach the systems of the English language (grammar, phonology, lexis, discourse) effectively. Secondly, language learning theory, exploring models from disciplines such as psychology, linguistics and education that have informed TESOL practice. Finally, language teaching methodology, looking at the history and contemporary range of classroom approaches in the TESOL profession.
core
30 credits
Research Methodologies (Education)
You will explore cutting edge research methodologies used in education, developing your critical understanding of how they can be used to address real world problems. An inquiry-based teaching approach will enable you to work with peers to weigh the merits of each in terms of their suitability for particular contexts and issues.
core
30 credits
Becoming a TESOL Professional
Creatively and critically apply core TESOL principles to your own future contexts of classroom teaching. Through the development of lesson plans, performance of lessons and reflections on teaching, you will be invited to establish practices that are in line with cutting-edge TESOL practice.
core
30 credits
Extended Research Project (Education)
This module provides you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge and research skills in the field of education. Supported via dedicated course tutors, your dissertation supervisor, and high-quality workshops and online content, you will undertake an independent research project on a topic related to your programme of study. This will allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain an understanding of conducting and reporting on research. This module will help you develop key transferable skills for both the workplace and further study.
core
60 credits
Our academics
You'll benefit from the outstanding support of staff who are experienced education practitioners. Our research is driven by the belief that education can challenge inequalities and injustices in society, and seeks social and educational change to enhance fairness, equity and social justice.
Duncan Hunter
Programme Director
Duncan brings EFL/EAL experience from the UK, Japan, and Poland. With an academic focus on Applied Linguistics and TESOL, he's contributed to UK/Malaysian teacher training and worked on projects with the British Council.
Ian Hutchinson
Lecturer
A language and linguistics expert, Ian has previously been an EFL tutor in Italy. His passion for languages enriches his teaching, creating authenticity in Language Learning and Teaching modules. Ian leads the TESOL Pathway on the MA.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying for this Postgraduate Taught degree, you'll need an Undergraduate degree (or equivalent). For this course, you'll need a 2:2 from a relevant bachelor's degree.
The programme is designed for graduates who have a studied a subject that is relevant to this course.
If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.
In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.
Typical offer
2:2 in a relevant subject area
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Scholarships
We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.
Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.
Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship
University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 20% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.
Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.
See more Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships and awards to students at the university to help with their financial load.
To view all of our scholarships and determine whether you're eligible, please visit our Scholarships and Awards page.
Future prospects
When you opt for the MA in TESOL, you'll widen your career horizons in English language teaching. This might lead you to work with marginalised communities or offer English tutoring globally opening the door to exciting travel experiences. You could also begin a research journey as a PhD or EdD student.
Graduates have gone on to work at universities, private language centres, international language schools, further education institutions, and primary or high schools. The possibilities are endless.
Take your career to the next level
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.
Not ready to apply yet?
We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.
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All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.