Why study MA TESOL courses at Canterbury Christ Church University?
Participating in the programme means becoming part of an established professional community, reflecting on and sharing your experiences and developing your expertise.
You will:
- develop your teaching expertise and an understanding of many approaches to teaching English as a foreign, second or other language
- develop an ability to present and discuss an argument in an academic context
- learn how to carry out research related to many aspects of TESOL
- exchange views and experiences with international colleagues
The course offers a taught first stage consisting of:
- a substantial core of topic-focused modules
- broad modules highlighting a range of contemporary topics
- the chance to obtain TEFL Qualified or TEFL Initiated status, according to British Council criteria, through a Teaching Practice module
- as an alternative to Teaching Practice, we offer a Practical Project module, providing an opportunity to develop an original product with practical application in a field of TESOL
The second stage is a dissertation when you research a topic of your choice and have the support and guidance of an individual supervisor.
As you would expect of an academic programme at this level, Canterbury Christ Church University boasts experienced teaching staff, a reputation for academic excellence, and a balance of theory and practice – specifically a keen interest in applying theory to the real world of ELT.
Aims
With an MA TESOL, your career prospects are enhanced, with paths into:
- primary, secondary or tertiary school management abroad
- senior, advisory, management and leadership positions, e.g. as Directors of Studies or Academic Directors in local and national English language schools
- work with Departments of Ministries of Education, such as curriculum and syllabus design, materials writing and assessment
- ELT publishing
- teacher training
- testing and writing for examination boards
- academic research
Thanks to input from students, we offer a programme with routes designed both for students with and for students without previous teaching experience, and a course of supervised Teaching Practice for all students who want it. With this included in your programme, you will graduate as TEFL- Qualified or TEFL- initiated, according to British Council criteria, further enhancing your value to future employers.
Alternatively, you can take the Practical Project module, an opportunity to create and develop an original product (for example, a sequence of teaching materials, an IT-based learning resource, or reference material for teachers …) with practical, real-world application in a field of TESOL.
If you are already TEFL-Qualified (with a Cambridge DELTA or equivalent), you may apply for exemptions from 3 modules. Typically, this allows you a ‘fast-track’ programme, beginning your studies in November instead of September.
From observation of experienced teachers in the classroom to programme-specific research training, you will be given the support you need, including the university’s free, dedicated Student Support Service to develop your academic English
