TESOL, Leadership and Management (Distance Learning)

Entry requirements

A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, plus initial teacher training and a minimum of three months full-time, relevant, teaching experience. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Why take this course?

This course is ideal for practising ELT/EFL/TESOL teachers who wish to continue developing their careers by taking on leadership and management roles. The course is also ideal for language school managers/directors in different parts of the world. As well as thoroughly reviewing developments in the fields of TESOL and Management, this flexible course develops expertise in areas of personal professional interest. Overall, it offers a way to extend your knowledge and understanding of leadership, management, language learning and teaching, as it develops the skills and attitudes that will help you work successfully in a fast-developing global society.

What will I experience?

On this course you will:

• Gain an understanding of how theory underpins effective practice, and how this will support you in developing your professional identity.
• Develop the entrepreneurial mind-set that will prepare you to succeed in educational management.
• Understand the needs of learners in their educational contexts.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Graduates will be able to progress to management and leadership jobs in higher and language school education in own country or elsewhere, or continue on to doctoral research in teaching, management and related fields. Possession of a Master's qualification in this area is often viewed as a requirement for promotion to a more responsible position in either the private or public sectors. Other possibilities include diversifying into a career in areas such as teacher education or external assessment.

Module Details

Core subjects:

• Leadership, Policy and Strategy: The Management of Educational Change
• Theory and Practice of TESOL
• Dissertation

Options:

• Theory and Practice of Applied Linguistics
• World Englishes
• Using Technology and Corpora in Learning, Teaching and Research
• Decision Making in Education
• Human Resource Management
• Education and Development

Programme Assessment

Typically each taught unit runs for twelve weeks and has the equivalent of four hours of teaching per week. Teaching takes place online in our virtual learning environment, where groups of students analyse arguments, contribute ideas and ask questions. Tutors are also available to offer guidance to students on an individual basis.

Most units are assessed through at least two pieces of coursework (typically essays), amounting to 6,000 words in total for the unit.

Student Destinations

Graduates will be able to progress to management and leadership jobs in higher and language school education in their own country or elsewhere, or continue on to undertake doctoral research in teaching and related fields. Possession of a Master's qualification in this area is often viewed as a requirement for promotion to a more responsible position in either the private or public sectors. Other possibilities include diversifying into a career in areas such as teacher education or external assessment.

For postgraduate students who feel they would benefit from the help, considerable support is provided students at Portsmouth in career planning through our careers and recruitment service, Purple Door. Postgraduate students and alumni are offered an online service of one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser; advice is tailored to needs.

Fees and funding

Qualification and course duration

MA