Applied Linguistics and TESOL
MA, 2½ years, by distance learning
This is for you if… you have at least two years of English Language Teaching experience and want to further your academic and professional expertise.
Course Description
The Masters in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a rigorous qualification for experienced teachers of English which will build upon your professional knowledge and expertise. The programme has been developed with the professional in mind and offers you many opportunities for career enhancement.
All our Applied Linguistics and TESOL tutors have been professional language teachers with many years of accumulated pedagogic and academic experience around the world. Distance learning students will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world. The course provides you with the opportunity to undertake research into your particular area of interest, allowing you to develop a particular area of expertise. You will be able to develop your knowledge and skills and will also have the chance to apply these directly to your professional workplace. Most of our distance learning students continue to teach while they study on the programme. Continued contact with your learners during this time offers real advantages, as you can put your knowledge straight into practice.
The programme is based on content-rich online module materials, supported by multimedia and moderated discussion forums enabling you to study wherever or whenever you want. The MA also includes e-tivities (collaborative online activities) which allow you to discuss ideas and issues with peers from a range of backgrounds. Learning with others offers a rich resource which enables you to develop an understanding of educational systems other than your own. It also reduces the potential isolation of studying as a distance learning student.
The MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL provides professional development and training, including:
- A critical understanding of key issues and debates in many areas of applied linguistics and of how these relate to English Language Teaching.
- A body of knowledge that will enhance your ability to undertake language teaching at a range of levels and cultural and institutional contexts.
- The ability to reflect, analyse and critically evaluate language teaching and learning concepts and theories, and to understand and examine the assumptions underlying different classroom practices.
- The ability to analyse language in use from different perspectives relevant to language teaching and learning.
- The skills to undertake effective practitioner research in your specific area of interest.
We are one of the longest established providers of postgraduate studies in Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the UK. On this course you will join teachers from all over the world. You will also benefit from our active involvement in research in different areas of Applied Linguistics and TESOL.
We pride ourselves on the level of support we provide our distance learning students. Our award-winning library has world-class facilities for distance learning students. You will have full access to our other support services and will be assigned a personal tutor. Our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, offers a wide range of study support material, and you will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world.
If you have any questions about this course, contact us 0244565928 / 0244176389, info@idecghana.com or visit our resource centre at the Ashia Court, 7 Dr. Isert Road, North Ridge, Accra.
Key Facts
Start date:
April and September each year
Department:
English
Contact:
- 0244565928 / 0244176389
- or visit our resource centre at the Ashia Court, 7 Dr. Isert Road, North Ridge, Accra
Why Leicester?
The University of Leicester has over 25 years’ experience of offering high quality distance learning courses.
Education at Leicester has an excellent international reputation for the development and teaching of intellectually stimulating education courses.
Our courses aim to develop leaders in education and so have been designed with your career prospects in mind.
This course has been developed by leading academics in the field of Applied Linguistics and English language teaching.
Course Structure
Block 1 modules
Second Language Teaching and Learning
This block comprises two 15-credit modules:
- Second Language Teaching
- Second Language Learning
These modules focus on aspects of English Language Teaching (ELT) methodology and theory of language learning. You will study the principles underlying a wide range of approaches and techniques for the teaching and learning of language, and theories of how languages are acquired. You will have the opportunity to relate these to your own professional context. You will cover topics such as:
- current issues in ELT
- theories and applications in skills teaching
- methods and approaches
- learning strategies and learner autonomy
- learner variables
- psycholinguistic perspectives
- models of second language acquisition
- how classroom language learning is achieved
In this block, a single assignment may be submitted combining two modules.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Block 2 modules
Descriptions of English
This block comprises two 15-credit modules:
These modules provide an introduction to the formal description of English grammar and phonology, based on pedagogic as well as descriptive models. The aim of the modules is to improve your awareness of English grammatical and phonological systems and to enable you to apply this knowledge to your teaching contexts. Topics will include phrase and clause structure and segmental as well as suprasegmental aspects of the sound system of English.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Block 3 modules
Discourse and Society
This block comprises two 15-credit modules:
These modules aim to explore how language and society interrelate. You will have the opportunity to study a range of contemporary sociolinguistic issues and be introduced to approaches and techniques for collecting, analysing and interpreting discourse. Topics covered include:
- language variation
- gender and language
- language policy and planning
- dialect study
- analysing talk
- critical discourse analysis
- analysing multimodal texts
In this block, a single assignment may be submitted combining two modules.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Block 4 modules
Option modules
The option modules offer you the opportunity to engage in a detailed exploration of two areas of special interest to you.
Choose two option modules from:
- Language Testing and Assessment
- Course and Syllabus Design
- Technology Enhanced Language Learning (TELL)
- Teacher Education
- Materials Development in ELT
- Management in ELT
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
- Young Learners and ELT
- Critical Discourse Perspectives
- Intercultural Communication
In this block, a single assignment may be submitted combining two modules.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Dissertation
The 15,000-20,000-word dissertation provides an opportunity for you to investigate a topic in depth. You will undertake the project independently, but support will be provided by your tutor. The module materials provide a comprehensive introduction to research methods, while the moderated discussion forum allows you to exchange views and ideas with fellow students and staff.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Additional Information
Key Dates
Start date: 30 March 2020
Application deadline for March 2020 start: 23 March 2020
Start date: TBC
Application deadline for September 2020 start: TBC
Teaching and Assessment
The course is delivered online using a range of media, including downloadable resources and interactive forums. Your modules will be assessed through written assignments that are submitted at the end of each module. You will also participate in formative online ‘e-tivities’ throughout each module. Your dissertation will be between 15,000-20,000 words in length.
Distance learning, which is primarily delivered through online learning, allows you to study in your own time and space so that you can combine achieving a qualification with work or family commitments. Studying by distance learning has the benefit of allowing you to develop your career without having to leave employment. It also means you can apply new knowledge and insights into your working life whilst you are still studying. You will also have full access to our support services, as well as our virtual learning environment ‘Blackboard’ which offers a wide range of study support material. You will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world.
Learning Support
When you join the programme, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide personal support throughout the MA. In addition, each module has a designated e-moderator who co-ordinates the online activities and discussion forums.
At the beginning of each module there is an introductory video and audio podcast, as well as a Planning Unit with information and advice to help you with the organisation of your work, including information on assessment, study skills and recommended reading. While working through the module materials you will be able to interact with your personal tutor and your fellow students through module-specific online activities and discussion forums.
As well as all the resources in our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, you will be able to use the Library’s online catalogue and thousands of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The online journals collection also allows you access to leading journals in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. You will also have the support of specialised staff in the University Library’s distance learning service who can arrange postal loans for books.
Entry Requirements
- 2:2 or above in a relevant subject, or equivalent.
- You should be a teacher or already be working in the English Language Teaching field with two years’ full time teaching experience.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
The previous completion of certain courses will allow you to apply for Accredited Prior Learning (APL). All applications are considered on a case by case basis.
- Holders of the University of Leicester PG Certificate in Teaching English for Academic Purposes are exempted from 30 credits corresponding to two of our optional 15-credit courses: English for Specific Purposes, and Course & Syllabus Design.
- Holders of the Cambridge DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are exempted from 30 credits corresponding to the first block: Second Language Teaching and Learning.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with at least 6.0 in each component score. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Fees and Funding
This is the total course fee. You will pay this fee wherever in the world you live.
Starting in April 2020
- £9,335
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Career Opportunities
Our degrees are highly valued by educational employers and our MA qualifications will help you to raise your profile when seeking to advance your career as a language teaching professional. The field of English language teaching is increasingly competitive and many organisations see a Masters level qualification as an essential requirement. An MA from the University of Leicester indicates to employers that you have up-to-date knowledge and have developed critical and transferable skills that will equip you to take on a more senior role in the language teaching programme of any educational institution. Indeed, many of our past MA students have gone on to gain promotion or move into new demanding jobs on completion of the programme.
Careers
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Linguistics and TESOL | MA | 30 months by distance learning | April and September each year | Apply Now |