University of Sunderland

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) has been designed to develop your practical skills and theory so you can be effective in the classroom.

The MA programme is suitable for teachers at any level of education: primary, secondary or university/college, in both private and state sectors.

It also includes a practical teaching module designed to cater for applicants with no prior teaching experience.

The high level of flexibility within the programme is reflected in the opportunities for you to choose assignments related to your particular areas of experience and interest.

The University of Sunderland provides a high level of student support. Your tutors within the University will maintain contact with you via email, telephone and written communication and also through face-to-face meetings. When you study the programme in full-time mode on campus in Sunderland, you can take advantage of a wide range of sporting, computing and social facilities.

The programme will be followed through to MA, or you may wish to study only for the intermediate awards of Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) or Postgraduate Diploma (PgD). These are choices you can make as you progress through the programme.

Scholarship Scheme:
A number of scholarships are available for international students from a wide range of countries. These scholarships help make our competitive fees even more affordable.

Details of scholarships are sent automatically when you are offered a place on the TESOL programme. If you would like details in advance, please ask when you contact us.

In addition to scholarships, Sunderland offers numerous other benefits and schemes to lower the cost of studying.

When you study the programme in full-time mode on campus in Sunderland, you can enjoy free Internet access, free email and free access to a health adviser.

University accommodation is very competitively priced and is generally equipped with special security features for extra peace of mind.

In many halls, a reduced cost international telephone call scheme helps to make it easy to stay in contact with family and friends abroad.

Contact Time:
For those studying the Postgraduate Certificate regular tutorial support will be provided in addition to the learning materials.

For the Postgraduate Diploma there is 135 hours contact time and for the Dissertation there is approximately one hour a month for on-campus students.

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Course Content

Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits

There are three required modules:

• The Principles and Practice of English Language Teaching
• Linguistics for TESOL
• L2 Practical Teaching

The three modules are studied simultaneously, normally over a period of 15 weeks.

Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits

You will complete the following modules during the diploma phase:

• Research Methods in Language Learning and Teaching (Core)
• Theories of Second/Foreign Language Learning
• Language Learning and Educational Technology
  
  Modules may vary from year to year.

Stage 3
Masters (MA) 60 credits

• Dissertation: up to 15,000 words on a TESOL-related topic of your choice.

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Entry Requirements

All applicants should hold a first degree or equivalent and should have excellent English language skills.

Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of IELTS level 6.5, TOEFL 575 or equivalent.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

The certificate modules require students to read the prescribed course materials, and to complete activities and projects as they prepare for tutor-assessed assignments.

Tutor support will also be provided for full-time students during this phase of the programme.

The diploma modules are studied via lectures, seminars, practical tasks and independent learning activities.

Assessment for the entire programme will include written assignments, observing and teaching English Language classes in your context, oral and written presentations and a dissertation.

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Career Opportunities

You will be able to use the qualification to enhance your professional development and it may also help towards promotion and associated salary increases.

The programme could equip you to take up a role managing change in education or to leading a department or school.

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Facilities

*World Class Web/Design Tools*
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

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Related Courses

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Distance Learning
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Combined Subjects (Major, Dual and Minor)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - PT

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