Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is offered by specialists in the field of Applied Linguistics.
Swansea University has one of the longest established Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) training and education centres in the UK and is internationally known for excellence in vocabulary research. Currently staff expertise exists in corpus linguistics, computer assisted language learning and stylistics. Internationally recruited staff offer a wide range of relevant experience and contacts across countries and continents as well as different levels of kinds of education. The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is intended for those who have already begun to develop an informed interest or have some previous training or relevant experience in the field.
El Gazette ranked the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics at Swansea, top for world class research in English Language.
Students enrolled on the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme will benefit from the College of Arts and Humanities' Graduate Centre. The Graduate Centre fosters and supports individual and collaborative research activity of international excellence and offers a vibrant and supportive environment for students pursuing postgraduate research and taught Master's study. The Centre provides postgraduate training to enhance academic and professional development and facilitates participation in seminar programmes, workshops and international conferences.
The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) has two parts: a taught component and either a dissertation or practical teaching of English language classes.
TESOL students following the practical route will be supported, observed and assessed teaching English. They are also required to produce a portfolio of teaching and testing materials. This route would be indicated on the final MA certificate.
- The MA TESOL is a one-year full time, campus-based programme designed to give (prospective) teachers of English as a foreign/second language a thorough understanding of current theories, trends, and cutting edge applied linguistics research relevant for language teaching.
- The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme also aims to stimulate reflection on students’ own teaching practices.
- TESOL students are assessed through a range of assessments, including essays, data analysis projects, group projects, and in-class
exams.
- TESOL students with some experience in language teaching and/or some formal background in linguistics are likely to benefit most from the programme.
Modules on the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme typically include:
• Vocabulary: Teaching and Learning
• Describing English
• Discourse Analysis for ELT
• Communicative Language Teaching
• Second Language Acquisition
• Young Language Learners
• Research Methods for ELT
• Language Testing and Assessment
- Prospective students interested in teaching English as a foreign or second language.
- Prospective students who have experience of teaching English as a second or foreign language, or who have some previous training or relevant work experience in the field.
- Prospective students who wish to gain academic training in applied linguistics, in preparation for advanced academic degrees (e.g., MPhil, PhD) in applied linguistics or related disciplines.
Graduates from the MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Swansea can expect to pursue careers in ESL and EFL teaching, teacher training, material development, international education, publishing, and in a wide range of international settings requiring in-depth understanding of language learning, teaching, and research.
“Studying abroad has always been one of my dreams. My friends have always told me that the period studying as a student is the most enjoyable time in life. I didn't really believe it till I started my MA course at the Swansea University. The course in Teaching English As a Foreign Language (TEFL, now TESOL) helped me to deepen my knowledge in that field. All of the lecturers I had a chance to meet were really helpful, motivating and friendly. They were professional and possessed a great knowledge of what they teach. The modules offered include theory as well as practice. The facilities provided by the University, such as computer rooms and the library were great as well and well equipped. I really regret that the time I spent in Swansea is now over. It was a great experience for me and gave me a chance to meet and make friends with many people from all over the world.”
Anna Marie Poczta, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), MA
This programme for experienced TESOL teachers, advisors and teacher trainers focuses on the teaching of English or other languages to children between 5 and 12 years old.
You’ll study core modules alongside students on our other TESOL programmes, exploring how people learn languages and the strategies teachers use to develop the key skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. A specialist module will focus on foreign language learning in children and how theories of learning and pedagogy have contributed to TESOL practice in the classroom.
In addition, you’ll choose from optional modules allowing you to build your knowledge of topics such as the potential for technology in language learning, materials development and TESOL teacher education.
Taught by leading researchers and experienced practitioners in TESOL, you’ll benefit from a wide range of resources and support. You’ll gain valuable skills to inform your teaching practice in a stimulating, friendly environment.
Research and professional insight
The Language Education team in the School of Education is nationally and internationally recognised for its range of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and consultancy work in TESOL, ELT, EFL, ESOL, EAL, Modern Foreign Languages, and Applied Linguistics.
We’re one of the largest Language Education teams in the UK. As education practitioners, we have a wide range of experience of teaching and teacher education work in many contexts in the UK and around the world, and as researchers, we have a broad range of expertise across the discipline.
In Semester One you’ll deepen your understanding of the foundations of TESOL – you’ll focus on how people learn languages, how to describe and explain language to learners and the approaches you can take to teaching reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
You’ll then expand your knowledge in Semester Two in more specialist areas. You’ll take a further core module that focuses on the theory and practice of teaching foreign languages to children aged 5-12 – including theories of children’s language learning, activities, key skills, story and theme-based courses, designing tasks and materials and appropriate ways of assessing the progress of young learners.
In addition, you’ll choose from a range of optional modules on topics like the use of technology in language learning, teacher education and learning and teaching vocabulary.
In the final part of the year, you’ll use your newly-acquired knowledge and skills to carry out a small-scale piece of research. Your critical study can be related to your own interests within the field of education. To support your work on the project, you will take a non-assessed research methods course, while help with your academic writing is available throughout the year.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
Compulsory modules
You’ll generally have around 8-10 hours of classes per week including seminars, tutorials and lectures. However, independent study is an important aspect of this programme, either alone or in a group, since it allows you to develop key research, analysis and communication skills and develop your own ideas.
Most of our taught modules are assessed through written assignments, which you’ll choose from a range of topics. To help you prepare, you’ll be able to submit a draft to your tutor for comment beforehand, and we offer other forms of support as well. You’ll also complete a portfolio of work such as materials and activities as part of the module Teaching Languages to Young Learners.
There is a worldwide trend towards introducing English at earlier stages of national curricula, while parents often seek out private tutoring for their children at even younger ages.
The MA TESOL for Young Learners encourages participants to take a critical perspective on these developments, but also equips them with the skills and understanding to participate more fully in young learner pedagogy in their home or other international contexts.
Recent graduates of the programme for example have become teacher trainers, others have found more rewarding classroom positions, and those who do particularly well are encouraged to consider continuing to doctoral study.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Modern Languages at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
Modern Languages at Swansea encompasses Arabic, French, German and Hispanic Studies with research strengths in written culture from the medieval period to the present day, including contemporary European cinema. We also have language expertise in Italian and Mandarin Chinese, but, depending on your choice of topic, advanced knowledge of a language is not an entry requirement. Some comparative projects in both literature and film can be researched in English translation.
The MA by Research in Modern Languages is ideal for those who want:
an MA qualification in niche areas where taught programmes are not offered;
the experience of a research degree without committing to a PhD at the outset.
Research proposals are invited on any topic in Modern Languages for which staff can provide supervision. It is advisable to email a member of academic staff in the appropriate area before applying (see staff web pages).
An MA by Research in Modern Languages gives you the chance to pursue a project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia (typically in the private sector, the Civil Service, or education).
It will give you the freedom to explore a topic of your choosing in Modern Languages and develop a methodology under the close supervision of two experienced academics but without attending regular classes as required in taught programmes.
You will be supervised closely by two experienced academics in your field. Typically, you will meet them fortnightly in the first term and at regular intervals thereafter. Meetings are logged and goals agreed each time.
All research students in Modern Languages are required to attend skills and training courses at College and Institutional level. They give presentations to other research students and staff at departmental seminars and the annual departmental postgraduate symposium in June and the College of Arts and Humanities conference in October. Advanced research students may have opportunities to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars. You have a budget (currently £200 per year) to attend conferences outside Swansea.
MA by Research degrees typically last from one year (full-time study) to two years (part-time study). Some students choose to ‘upgrade’ at the end of their first academic year to an MPhil or PhD. This can be permitted on the recommendation of the two supervisors. If they do upgrade their year on the MA counts towards the MPhil or PhD.
Our expertise in Modern Languages ranges from the French medieval lyric and Enlightenment drama, women's writing and feminism; travel; the conflicted memories of World War Two; film and literature about the Baader-Meinhof Group; and the works of the Nobel Laureates, Elias Canetti, Jean Cocteau, Günter Grass, Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Herta Müller. Our dynamic research environment which has won attention and funding from outside bodies such as the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Modern Humanities Research Association, the Wellcome Trust and the EU.
We support the following research centres all of which also house postgraduate research students:
Contemporary German Culture (http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/ccgc);
Gender in Culture and Society (GENCAS, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/gencas);
The Comparative Study of the Americas (CECSAM, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/cecsam);
Medieval and Early Modern Research (MEMO, http://www.swansea.ac.uk/riah/researchgroups/memo).
For further information on research specialisms and supervisory interests of our staff visit: http://www/swansea.ac.uk/artsandhumanities/about-us/.
This course develops your enthusiasm, confidence, knowledge and skills in teaching modern languages. You achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) equipping you to teach National Curriculum modern languages at Key Stages 3, 4 and post-16.
The current shortage of modern-language teachers makes this a great choice of subject to teach at secondary-school level and beyond. Modern languages are a priority subject, so having the skills to enthuse and motivate others in French, German or Spanish will make it easier for you to find a job when you graduate. You may also be eligible for a tax-free bursary of up to £25,000.
During the course you
Specialist speakers are invited in throughout the year to enhance the learning experience.
Our modern language teacher-training students train to teach in one or more of the three main teaching languages of French, Spanish and German. However, placements and employment prospects are greatly enhanced for those with more than one language to offer, so if you are a single linguist then we may make your place conditional on completing a National College for Teaching and Leadership funded French, Spanish or German extension course in the summer before the course starts.
With our PGCE you complete two contrasting placements in 11–16 or 11–18 settings. This allows you to experience the full progression from Key Stages 3 to post-16. In total you spend around 120 days on placement. While on placement you benefit from excellent support and mentoring from a university-trained mentor. We have placement links with over 600 schools and other institutions, and a third of our students are being offered teaching jobs in a school where they complete a placement.
During the course, you’ll be able to choose to complete either the PGCE or the professional graduate certificate in education (ProfGCE). Both qualifications will earn you QTS status, but the PGCE also gives you 60 credits towards a masters degree.
School Direct
Through School Direct, the school or partnership of schools that you've applied to will be much more involved in your selection, recruitment and professional development.
For more information visit our School Direct page
Further information
For more information regarding our routes into teaching, including funding, placements, QTS skills tests and career prospects visit our teach site.
Modules
We have a superb record for graduate employment. Over 96% per cent of our PGCE graduates are teaching or in further study within six months of graduating.
After completing this course, you are able to teach modern languages in a range of settings, such as 11–16 or 11–18, as well as in the learning and skills sector (also called post-16 or post-compulsory education).
Many students gain employment in the region, thanks to our excellent links with over 600 placement partners. About a third of our students accept a job where they did a placement — and since you complete two placements, that increases your chances of being offered a job at a place you already know.
Modern languages are a fantastic choice for your PGCE because the country is short of languages teachers — so your job prospects on graduation are particularly good, especially with the recent introduction of the English Baccalaureate.
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