Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a relevant Honours degree at 2:2 or above.

For the Professional route you will need at least one year's full-time classroom teaching experience.

If English is not your first language you require a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in all other bands or equivalent – or, if your English is not quite at this level, our Pre-sessional programme is available to bring your English up to the level you need. There are some exceptions and if the IELTS requirement differs it will be specified on the course page.

Months of entry

September

Course content

English teachers are in high demand across the globe. Our MA TESOL is a great choice whether you are a practising professional keen to take your English teaching to a higher level or a graduate looking to begin an exciting career that opens a world of possibilities.

Studying an MA at university makes you part of an academic community from day one. The support services and facilities you'll have access to as a university student are excellent.

We also offer one of the few MA TESOL courses in the UK that includes teaching practice.

As the generally accepted highest academic degree in the field, an MA TESOL demonstrates knowledge and understanding of English language teaching, a familiarity with a range of relevant literature and an ability to research and to present informed discussions and ideas on related subjects.

Participating in the programme means becoming part of an established professional community, reflecting on and sharing your experiences and developing your expertise.

You will:

• develop your teaching expertise and an understanding of many approaches to teaching English as a foreign, second or other language
• develop an ability to present and discuss an argument in an academic context
• learn how to carry out research related to many aspects of TESOL
• exchange views and experiences with international colleagues

The course offers a taught first stage consisting of:

• a substantial core of topic-focused modules
• broad modules highlighting a range of contemporary topics
• the chance to obtain TEFL Qualified or TEFL Initiated status, according to British Council criteria, through a Teaching Practice module
• as an alternative to Teaching Practice, we offer a Practical Project module, providing an opportunity to develop an original product with practical application in a field of TESOL

The second stage is a dissertation when you research a topic of your choice and have the support and guidance of an individual supervisor.

As you would expect of an academic programme at this level, Canterbury Christ Church University boasts experienced teaching staff, a reputation for academic excellence, and a balance of theory and practice – specifically a keen interest in applying theory to the real world of ELT.

We also pride ourselves on a warm, welcoming atmosphere, a strong international community spirit, and commitment to involving students in the development of the programme.

Thanks to input from students, we offer a programme with routes designed both for students with and for students without previous teaching experience, and a course of supervised Teaching Practice for all students who want it. With this included in your programme, you will graduate as TEFL- Qualified or TEFL- initiated, according to British Council criteria, further enhancing your value to future employers.

Alternatively, you can take the Practical Project module, an opportunity to create and develop an original product (for example, a sequence of teaching materials, an IT-based learning resource, or reference material for teachers …) with practical, real-world application in a field of TESOL.

If you are already TEFL-Qualified (with a Cambridge DELTA or equivalent), you may apply for exemptions from 3 modules. Typically, this allows you a ‘fast-track’ programme, beginning your studies in November instead of September.

From observation of experienced teachers in the classroom to programme-specific research training, you will be given the support you need, including the university’s free, dedicated Student Support Service to develop your academic English.

Information for international students

For both routes, if your mother tongue is not English you will need to have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

Fees and funding

For up to date fee and loan information please visit our website.