MA
Applied Linguistics and TESOL
Professional development in TESOL
Course Overview
Why take this course?
The course is ideal for practicing ELT/EFL/TESOL teachers who wish to continue their professional development and improve their career prospects. As well as thoroughly reviewing developments in the field, this flexible course allows students to develop their expertise in areas of personal interest.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Extend your knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching as you upgrade your qualifications
- Reflect on your teaching practice from theoretical and research-based perspectives
- Improve your career prospects
What opportunities might it lead to?
Completion of the course will support further career options, including diversification into educational management or teacher education, among other paths. Many of our graduates have gone on to obtain jobs in universities in the UK and abroad, or have taken on greater responsibility in their existing institutions. Others have also taken advantage of the secure footing for doctoral-level study provided by the programme.
Learning the theories behind teaching methods and applying this knowledge in class would be beneficial for me and, most importantly, for the students I hope to teach in the future.
Sarah Crielesi, MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL student 2013
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
A good honours degree or equivalent, plus initial teacher training and a minimum of three months full-time, relevant, teaching experience.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 or equivalent with no component less than 6.5.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £4,500, £2,250 p/a* (2 years)
International full-time students: £10,500, part-time students: £5,250 p/a* (2 years)
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Languages and Area Studies
Structure & Teaching
The course is structured on the basis of core units and optional units.
- Theory & Practice of Applied Linguistics
- Theory & Practice of TESOL
- Dissertation / Major Project
- 2 options from:
- Analysing, Evaluating & Writing Materials
- World Englishes
- Independent Learning
- Using Technology & Corpora in Language Teaching & Research
Please note. All optional units are subject to staff availability and student demand.
Exit levels
The credit system creates a flexible framework in which you can graduate with one of the following awards, depending on the number of credits gained:
- MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL: 180 credits
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics and TESOL: 120 credits
- Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics and TESOL: 60 credits
Teaching and Assessment
Typically each taught unit runs for twelve weeks and has four hours of teaching per week. Teaching takes place in small seminar groups, allowing students to analyse arguments, contribute ideas and ask questions. Tutors are also available to offer guidance to students on an individual basis.
How are you assessed?
Most units are assessed through at least two pieces of coursework (typically essays), amounting to 6,000 words in total for the unit.
Tutor's view
Dr Peter Watkins
Languages and Area Studies
We put a great deal of emphasis on combining practice and theory. We want teachers to think through and analyse what they already do, to consider new and different ways of doing things and to understand the theories underpinning their practice so that they can make informed decisions to help and support their own learners.
Facilities & Features
CEISR
Centre for European and International Studies Research
Language Laboratories
Language labs offering a rich and effective multimedia language environment
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
CEISR
On your Master's, you will be studying with members of CEISR, one of the UK's largest research centres of its kind. These active researchers in the field of linguistics and the teaching of English as a foreign language will ensure that your study is connected to the latest developments in the area.
Language Laboratories
We have four state-of-the-art Sony Virtuoso Language Laboratories, where you can manipulate video, sound, text and Internet sources in a rich, multimedia language-learning environment. Our staff are at the forefront in exploiting the potential afforded by this technology to create their own packages of materials.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online e-journals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Graduates will be able to progress to jobs in higher education in their own country or elsewhere, or continue on to undertake doctoral research in teaching and related fields. Possession of a Master's qualification is often viewed as a requirement for promotion to a more responsible position in either the private or public sectors or to diversify a career into areas such as educational management, materials evaluation and production, teacher education or external assessment.
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.