The MA Education TESOL is a level 7 Masters level course that will be delivered full time over one year. Core modules bear 15 credits each and include Second Language Acquisition and Description of English for Language Teachers. The programme also includes various 30 credit optional modules: Introduction to TESOL Methodology; Education, Diversity and Equality; Teaching English to Young Learners; Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes and Independent Study Module.
The Methodology module will provide an in depth study of the various methods that are used in current practice in English Language Teaching. Teaching English to Young Learners explores the pedagogical features of Teaching English to children and young teenagers. The English for Specific and Academic Purposes module examines the theoretical basis for Specific Purposes in a variety of contexts including Business English and English for Educational, Medical and Industry Professionals. There is also an additional non-credit bearing module on Research methods and dissertation preparation.
Educational Aims of the Programmes
The educational aims of the programmes are to offer high quality and employability-focussed postgraduate programmes, which combine theory and practice, in the discipline of TESOL. The curriculum offered is distinctive, international, and challenging. The aim is to produce graduates who are flexible, proactive, culturally sensitive and digitally literate people who achieve the Graduate Attributes identified by Cardiff Metropolitan University. We aim to develop students' criticality, their imagination, voice and creativity as well as their professional skills over the duration of the programme.
The programme is offered on a one-year, full-time basis. Though you can undertake these degrees part-time should you wish. Teaching and research are spread over 50 weeks per year. Study is undertaken at Level 7 and comprises of 180 credits at this level. The structure is shown in the table below:
The MA Education: TESOL includes the following modules:
Description of English for Language Teachers (Core module, 15 credits)
This module explores the description of English used in the Teaching of English to Speakers of other Languages and will equip students with key linguistic concepts, terms and tools necessary for describing language for pedagogical purposes. The module introduces students to the systems of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and discourse and will help students describe and analyse learner errors. The course also focuses on evaluating the usefulness of teaching materials in terms of the language being taught.
Second Language Acquisition (Core module, 15 credits)
This module introduces the key topics, theories, concepts and research in the study of second language acquisition and will extend this knowledge to critical evaluation of the implications for language teaching. The module focuses on key areas such as: the impact of age in SLA; the role of input, output and interaction on the success of language learning; the role of instruction and feedback in the development of second language grammar; incidental versus intentional learning of vocabulary; and the impact that individual differences can have on acquisition of a second language.
Introduction to TESOL Methodology (Optional module, 30 credits)
This module is aimed at students with little or no previous teaching experience and will provide an introduction to Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL). The module focuses on the nature of English language learners, who they are and why they need to learn English and the purposes they will use the language for. The module discusses the various teaching methods and materials which are typically used in English language teaching contexts and will show students how to evaluate teaching materials as well as giving hands-on practice in developing their own materials. Students will learn how to plan and teach lessons, and the course provides opportunities for observing experienced English teachers at work. An assessed peer teaching practice is included in the module.
Education, Diversity and Equality (Optional module, 30 credits)
This module will provide students with a critical understanding of contemporary research and practice in education and equality. The module examines key theories and concepts surrounding education and equality (e.g. gender, EAL, bullying, looked after children) and relates theory to practical examples. In addition, students will explore legislation and policy in relation to education and equality. This module is offered in the first term as an alternative to
Introduction to TESOL Methodology and is aimed at suitably experienced teachers.
Teaching English to Young Learners (Optional Module, 30 credits)
This module provides an introduction to methods of teaching English which will support young learners' language development. The module will introduce current popular syllabi used in teaching young learners, such as content-based, integrated, topic and task-based and will introduce the main principles of materials design for young learners. Students will gain an understanding of children's reading, writing and spelling development in English as an L2 and the various methods of diagnosing early reading and spelling problems in English. The module introduces Multiple Intelligences and their application to the young learners' classroom as well as providing students with the knowledge necessary to prepare successful English lessons for young learners. Students will learn about various ways of assessing young learners and will develop the ability to undertake classroom-based research in the areas studied. The module includes a visit to a local multicultural primary school where learners with many different linguistic backgrounds learn together.
Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes (Optional Module, 30 credits)
This module introduces relevant theories of teaching English for specific and academic purposes and examines key research in the area. It introduces students to practical concepts in English for Specific Purposes including designing appropriate curricula to meet the needs of learners and their assessment. Students will explore the tension between content and meaning in English for Specific Purposes and the module will provide students with the skills and knowledge to conduct meaningful needs analyses in topics as diverse as engineering, medicine, business and English for Academic Purposes.
Independent study module (Optional Module, 30 credits)
Under the guidance of a supervisor, students will undertake a piece of written research.
This is a compulsory and non-credit bearing module on the MA Education: TESOL. It is intended as preparation for the MA Dissertation, and will focus on researching TESOL. Students will be shown how to engage critically with relevant academic literature, evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of various research methods, justify the choice of appropriate research methods, investigate the paradigms of research traditions and their associated methods, and comply with ethical considerations in researching TESOL at postgraduate levels.
MA Dissertation (60 credits)
Students are required to conduct an original piece of research under the guidance of a supervisor. Students will be required to apply knowledge in original and innovative ways drawing upon research at the forefront of their academic field and must demonstrate critical evaluation of current research literature in the discipline. This level and quantity of work reflects research and dissertation requirements at Master's level.
The MA Education TESOL course will be delivered via a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, peer teaching sessions, as well as individual and group work. In addition to timetabled delivery, there will be elements of self-study and independent learning which will reinforce the content delivered in face-to-face contact sessions.
In addition, student will be required to engage fully in the university's Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, which serves as a tool for independent learning.
Cardiff Metropolitan University has an excellent Student Services departmentwhich provides pastoral support to all students as well as a dedicated International Welfare Team based in our International Office. Apart from taught sessions which will make up the majority of the face-to-face delivery on the MA Education TESOL course, office hours for lecturers are normally between 9am and 5pm. We also allocate every student with their own Personal Tutor for academic support.
Place of Study:
Cardiff School of Education
Course Length: One year
Before making an application, international students (those outside of the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit
Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available. Please refer to
The university also offers a postgraduate scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit