Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Course details

This course focuses on the role of teachers as researchers who are seeking to assess and improve their classroom teaching/learning environment. Course participants will be introduced to a range of classroom-bassed research approaches, methods and techniques in language education. This course will provide them with the opportunity to explore small-scale problems in language assessment, teaching and learning in their own teaching context.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the MA TESOL programme, graduates should be able to:

• prepare and critically assess teaching materials
• plan a programme of language study
• account for inpidual differences and difficulties in language learning
• monitor and assess learners' progress
• advise teachers on effective procedures and interventions
• read and evaluate research, theory and descriptions of classroom practice in language teaching
• plan and carry out their own small-scale empirical research studies

Programme Requirements

To complete the programme, a participant must:

• obtain a pass in all eight courses
• satisfy class attendance requirements
• complete all online tasks, where applicable

A course participant whose progress has not been satisfactory may be required to terminate her/his candidature. 

Course of Study

Course participants must satisfactorily complete all eight courses as listed. Course details are subject to change.

Course Award

The course will lead to the award of Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualifications) in Linguistics, English Language, Education or a language other than English (or another relevant degree);

At least two years of professional experience in language education or other areas of applied linguistics;

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics conferred by SEAMEO RELC (those with equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis);

Applicants who do not meet this requirement would have to complete an additional four online courses* as listed below:

• LALS#512 Pedagogical Grammar of English
• LALS#519 Special Topic: Task-Based Language Teaching
• LALS#521 Language for Specific Purposes
• LALS#525 Learner Autonomy and Learning Strategies

* Courses are subject to changes

For students from non-English speaking backgrounds, an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0 is required.