Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

1st in Scotland for research in Education in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise

This course offers a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at a level appropriate to graduates who already have a sound academic training. The course is taught by staff in the Centre for English Language Teaching, within the School of Education.

Course objectives

TESOL provides an advanced training and professional qualification for people presently engaged in any area of the teaching of English as a foreign or second language. It also offers professional development to people new to TESOL who are seeking a career change.

On completion, you should possess the knowledge and practical classroom skills to be a confident, critically reflective and enterprising teacher.

Entrance requirements

Applications are welcome from people presently engaged in any area of English as a foreign or second language, or those intending to join the profession. Entrance requirements are a university degree or an equivalent qualification appropriate to TESOL.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in speaking and listening and no less than 6.5 in reading and writing), or TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.

Modes of study

Full-time:
one year

Part-time:
two years

Course start date

September

Structure and content

You will take eight modules from the following, and those marked * are compulsory for students with less than two years’ full-time English language teaching experience in a formal classroom setting.  Language Learning Theory and Research is a required module for all students.  Those entering the course with a recent Cambridge DELTA or Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma can apply for accreditation for two of the four pedagogic modules:

Autumn Semester

• Methodology I*: Presents an overview of current theory and practice in the teaching of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
• Classroom Observation*: Develops critical awareness and theoretical understanding of current classroom practice through observation of experienced English language teachers
• Language Learning Theory and Research*: Gives an overview of the research necessary for understanding the processes involved in learning a second language, and introduces research methods relevant to the dissertation
• Description of Modern English: Explores English grammar and use with reference to the needs of learners and teachers
• Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Concepts and Materials: Comprises a rationale for using CALL; background theory and research on how computers process text, images and sound; consideration of how to choose and exploit general purpose software for EFL purposes
• Technologies in the 21st Century Classroom: Provides an opportunity for students to create multimedia materials using authoring programs for language teaching and learning

Spring Semester

• Methodology II*: Provides an overview of current theory and practice in the teaching of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
• Microteaching*: Develops critical awareness and theoretical understanding of current classroom practice through planning, teaching and reflection on lessons taught to peers
• The ELT Curriculum: The first part of this module provides an overview of the principles and practice of designing a curriculum and tasks for English Language teaching and learning; the second part focuses on testing and curriculum evaluation
• Discourse Analysis: Introduces different approaches and techniques for exploring and analysing spoken and written texts
• Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching and Research: Explores the ways in which computerised collections of spoken and written texts can be analysed and used in language teaching and research
• Internet Applications in Language Teaching: Addresses the use of virtual learning environments, multimedia and web technologies in collaborative language learning
• Teaching English to Young Learners: Focuses on teaching English to primary and secondary aged pupils

The Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL is awarded on the successful completion of four coursework modules. The Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL is awarded on successful completion of eight coursework modules. The MSc TESOL is awarded upon successful completion of eight coursework modules plus a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery of modules is carried out mainly through seminars, workshops and video tutorials. Practical teaching skills are developed through classroom observation and videoed peer teaching sessions. Learning and professional development is facilitated by regular guided group work tasks. Progress is assessed by coursework assignments and, for the MSc, the dissertation.

Recommended reading

This will be sent to you once you have completed the application process.

Example timetable

The timetable below is a typical example, but your own timetable may be different.

This will be available towards the end of the summer.

Module titles

• Methodology I (TESP01)
• Classroom Observation (TESP03)
• Language Learning Theory and Research (TESP05)
• Description of Modern English (TESP11)
• Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) (TESP21)
• Concepts and Materials: Technologies in the 21st Century Classroom (TESP23)

Spring Semester

• Methodology II (TESP02)
• Microteaching (TESP04)
• The ELT Curriculum (TESP06)
• Teaching English to Young Learners (TESP10)
• Discourse Analysis (TESP12)
• Internet Applications in Language Teaching (TESP22)
• Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching and Research (TESP24)

Why study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Stirling?

Course Director

Anne Lawrie

RAE rating

The School of Education was ranked number 1 in Scotland in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Career opportunities

English is regarded as the most widely spoken language in the world and a qualification in TESOL can open up the opportunity of an English Language Teaching career, or, in the case of experienced teachers, can provide access to promoted posts and management positions within English Language Teaching. On completion of the MSc in TESOL, overseas graduates will be well prepared to sit all three modules of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations TKT.

Recent graduates have taken up posts overseas or in the field of ESOL in the UK. For more experienced teachers, the qualification has provided access to positions with the British Council or in the tertiary sector.