Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in linguistics, English language and/or literature, or a modern language.

We can also accept a related subject, such as education or psychology if you have experience of language teaching.

You should demonstrate experience of, or a strong interest in, language teaching as part of your application.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Gain practical teaching skills and classroom experience alongside theoretical knowledge in TESOL. You'll get advanced training in the theory and techniques of applied linguistics and have a chance to gain an internationally-recognised teaching qualification (TKT). You can also and achieve professional recognition as TEFLi-qualified (certificate-level ELT qualification equivalent) based on criteria from Accreditation UK.

Course Description

Study theoretical approaches to TESOL in the research environment of an academic department and put these into practice in our English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC).

Through this unique combination of theory and practice, you'll develop awareness of the theoretical principles underpinning TESOL practice and be equipped with the practical skills to work in diverse international educational contexts.

This degree is ideal for:

  • People with little or no English language teaching experience who are interested in pursuing a career in the field
  • People with up to two years of English language teaching experience who wish to develop their careers by deepening their knowledge and skills in TESOL
  • Those interested in applied linguistic and language teaching research and/or classroom-based practitioner research

You'll focus on key areas of learning and teaching second languages, including language teaching methodology, teaching skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and systems (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and discourse), materials selection and use, classroom pedagogy and reflective practice.

As part of the course you'll have the opportunity to do either a traditional research-based dissertation or complete a professional portfolio. You can also do six hours of assessed teaching practice, leading to professional recognition in the field of English language teaching.

The MA TESOL is one of three linguistics MAs offered in the School of English.

  • If you're interested in learning more about the professional and research applications of linguistic theory and are seeking to build on your experience as a language professional then you may be interested in our MA Applied Linguistics course.
  • If you're seeking to deepen your knowledge of language and linguistic theory and looking for rigorous training in linguistic research applicable to a range of fields including social, historical, theoretical, and literary linguistics, then you may be interested in our MA Language and Linguistics.

Accreditation

The English Language Teaching Centre is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. The ELTC is also an accredited Cambridge English Language Assessment test centre providing students on this course with the option of taking the Teaching Knowledge Test qualification.

Information for international students

Entry requirements for international students

Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.

Fees and funding

UK students
9850
International students
21400

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Postgraduate Admissions
Email
english.admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
Phone
+44 114 222 0220