Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in TEFL/TESL or TESOL, English Language or another relevant subject (e.g. Linguistics, Translation Studies).
Relevant professional experience can also be considered for entry.
This programme is designed for anyone with less than one year’s language teaching experience. If you're a more experienced language teacher, you can apply for our MA Applied Linguistics with TESOL programme.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Accelerate your career teaching English with our MA TESOL, designed for anyone with less than a year's teaching experience. Discover new and different approaches to teaching English as a second language. You'll enhance your knowledge of linguistics and educational theories to prepare for the next step in your teaching journey.
Uncover the close relationship between language teaching theories and practice with our experts in linguistics. We focus on training students to be English teachers via hands-on practice throughout the MA. You’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to apply language teaching theories and methods in your teaching career.
We also offer a distance learning programme over 2.5 years – for more information see Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MA (Distance Learning).
At Birmingham, you'll learn with other early career teachers of English and be taught by experts in linguistics. Our course is designed with your level of experience in mind.
You won't just learn how to teach English as a second language - you'll understand how the English language works too.
By the end of the MA, you'll possess a rounded knowledge of linguistics and English language teaching methods, ready to apply this knowledge directly in the classroom.
- Develop the English language teaching skills and knowledge you need to advance your career.
- Small group learning – discuss linguistic theories together and enhance your teaching skills by practising presenting your ideas.
- Learn from experts in a range of linguistic areas at a world Top 30 department for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings 2024).
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in TESOL.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – you'll undertake a dissertation in an area that interests you. Alternatively you can take The Teaching Project.
Information for international students
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification. You'll need to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any band or equivalent.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 22 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 67 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 176 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and funding
The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Postgraduate Enquiries