MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Program Overview

The MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), United Kingdom, is a dynamic and progressive postgraduate degree designed for both experienced English language teachers seeking career advancement and graduates looking to embark on an exciting career in TESOL. The course is highly directed towards professional practice, emphasizing how relevant theories can support and enable informed decisions in the classroom and beyond. A key strength of the program lies in its diversity and flexibility, offering a "Professional" route for those with prior teaching experience and a "Fundamentals" route for aspiring educators. It stands out as one of the few MA TESOL courses in the UK that offers a teaching practice component, allowing students to gain valuable hands-on classroom experience and achieve "TEFL-Qualified" or "TEFL-Initiated" status, according to British Council criteria.

Curriculum: The MA TESOL curriculum at CCCU is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of English language teaching through a blend of theoretical study and practical application. Core modules typically include "Investigating Language Systems," "Language Acquisition," "Exploring ELT: Past, Present and Future," and "Contemporary Topics in Applied Linguistics." These modules delve into linguistics, second language acquisition theories, the history and evolution of English language teaching, and current issues in applied linguistics. Students develop a sophisticated understanding of language systems and use, along with critical awareness of relevant applied linguistics knowledge. Learning is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, group work, practical teaching-related activities, and guided independent study. A significant component is the "Research Methods" module, leading to a 60-credit dissertation, where students undertake independent research on a chosen TESOL-related topic. Furthermore, students have the option to undertake either a "Teaching Practice" module or a "Practical Project" module, the latter providing an opportunity to develop an original product with practical application in the field of TESOL.

Research Focus: The MA TESOL program at Canterbury Christ Church University is underpinned by a strong research-led approach, with teaching delivered by experienced and research-active academics who are recognized experts in their field. Faculty members within the Centre for Language and Linguistics have diverse research interests directly relevant to TESOL, including critical discourse studies, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, language teaching materials, academic writing, informal language learning, and the integration of technology in language education. The program explicitly aims to foster students' ability to conduct research related to various aspects of TESOL, with the 15,000-word dissertation serving as a core element for original scholarly inquiry. Students are encouraged to engage with innovative research and multiple perspectives, allowing their work to serve as a springboard for future academic pursuits.

Industry Engagement: The MA TESOL program at CCCU places a significant emphasis on preparing students for successful careers in the English language teaching industry. A notable feature is the inclusion of a supervised "Teaching Practice" module for those without prior experience, enhancing their employability by providing real-world classroom exposure. Alternatively, students can opt for a "Practical Project" module, which involves creating an original product with practical application in TESOL, such as teaching materials or IT-based learning resources, demonstrating practical skills highly valued by employers. The course's strong focus on professional practice means that while relevant theories are discussed, they are always linked back to their application in teaching, assessing, teacher training, materials writing, or research roles. The university also highlights its long-standing heritage of working with public sector organizations, businesses, and industries to develop postgraduate courses that align with employer needs.

Global Perspective: The MA TESOL program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently embodies a robust global perspective, recognizing that Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a profession that can take graduates around the globe. The program actively celebrates and leverages the diversity of its participants, who come from various parts of the world with differing teaching contexts, experiences, and expertise. This international mix enriches the learning environment, fostering cross-cultural understanding and allowing students and tutors alike to learn from each other's thoughts and contributions. The curriculum explores global trends in English language teaching and applied linguistics, preparing students to work in diverse international settings, including roles in Ministries of Education for curriculum design and assessment, ELT publishing, teacher training, and academic research, across a profession with high global demand.