Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Entry requirements
Usually at least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject and/or relevant professional training and language teaching experience. An interview may be required. A short admissions task of no more than 500 words may also be requested, to support your application.
You must provide two references, at least one of which should be an academic reference.
If you have been awarded the Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) in the last five years, you may apply for credit for one option module (please indicate this in your application).
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Months of entry
October
Course content
This MA in language teaching/teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is ideal if you are a language teacher wishing to progress to a more senior or specialist role. It will help you develop specialised knowledge in key areas of language teaching, reflect on your own teaching practice, and enable you to engage critically and constructively in debates relating to a range of aspects of language teaching.
Why choose this course?
- An important feature of this MA is its flexibility. You can choose to study aspects of teaching English and graduate with an MA TESOL, or you can focus on the teaching of languages other than English and graduate with an MA Language Teaching.
- It brings together teachers of English and teachers of other languages to offer you a unique focus on the multilingual and multicultural contexts of language learning and teaching.
- It gives you the opportunity to learn and share experiences with teachers from all over the world to gain an insight into a range of language teaching contexts.
- MA Language Teaching/TESOL is an essential qualification for those who wish to teach languages at university level, whether for general or more specific purposes. For those with less teaching experience, the MA will give you a competitive early career advantage as you gain more experience in teaching posts.
What you will learn
This course is specifically structured to bridge the gap between language teaching theory and practice, and help you reflect on the important balance between them. You will advance your knowledge of current literature in key areas of research in language teaching and, more broadly, in applied linguistics, and gain further confidence in your own practice through appreciating the variety of factors shaping language teaching and learning in the classroom.
How you will learn
This course is available with full- or part-time study. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. You will learn through lectures, seminars, and by carrying out your own research for assignments in which you can follow your interests in this area. You will also benefit from the experience of guest lectures, symposia and workshops across Birkbeck.
You will have the chance to choose between your dissertation pathways on this course - an empirical research investigation of an aspect of language teaching and learning, or an independent library-based project on a relevant topic of your choice.
If you are not yet ready to commit to an MA, we also offer this course as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate, ideal if you have classroom experience of language teaching, or have a broadly relevant first degree and an interest in the theory and practice of language teaching.
- You will be taught by an outstanding multidisciplinary team of specialists in language teaching and applied linguistics.
- You will also benefit from our extensive network of academics and practitioners in language teaching and applied linguistics. Birkbeck is an institutional member of the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL) and International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL).
- The Birkbeck Applied Linguistics Society, an official University of London society, was formed to bring together students interested in applied linguistics and related fields (for example multilingualism, intercultural communication and TESOL) in the London area.
- We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
On successfully graduating from this MA Language Teaching/TESOL, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
- the capacity to think and communicate creatively and critically
- a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
- an ability to understand and apply complex ideas
- effective organisation and time-keeping skills
- facility and precision in the use of analytical tools
- strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent, critical arguments.
If you are an experienced teacher this MA will help you to progress to a more senior or specialised position in language teaching, such as a:
- senior teacher
- director of studies
- teacher trainer
- consultant
- materials developer.
Graduates can also pursue career paths in local and national government, the charity sector, public relations and the media, marketing, lexicography and translation, tourism/hospitality, academia and research. Possible professions include:
- language teacher (TESOL or other languages)
- secondary/further/higher education lecturer
- publisher
- translator
- speech and language therapist
- community development worker.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Information for international students
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
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
- PGDip
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- PGCert
- part time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700