About this course
Develop a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of English Language Teaching (ELT) with this master’s degree.
You can apply for this course if you have experience in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and want to gain skills for leadership roles in ELT.
If you don’t have experience as an EFL teacher and want to begin your career as one, you can apply for our MA English Language Teaching TESOL Studies course.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) give people all over the world the ability to communicate fluently in English. This MA degree will give you the tools you need to teach English effectively. Throughout the programme you'll study topics such as:
- how to analyse language for ELT
- current issues in language teaching methodology
- critical appraisal of language teaching
This master’s degree in English Language Teaching is offered by our Centre for Applied Language Research.
Staff contributing to the programme are involved in:
- direct teaching of EFL and other languages
- research and development work in applied linguistics and language learning
- sociolinguistics and cultural studies
This blend of theoretical expertise and ongoing practical experience is one of the distinguishing features of our programme.
On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for a rewarding career as a language teacher, language teaching educator, or applied linguistics researcher.
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
Course lead
Your course leader, Dr Sarah Rule, has research interests in language acquisition and processing.
Course location
This course is based at Avenue.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects:
- English
- Linguistics
- Modern Languages
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
You’ll also need a minimum of two years’ professional experience related to English language teaching.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
You'll study this full-time master's degree over 12 months.
In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. We’ll also prepare you for your independent project and dissertation.
For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
This module encourages you to reflect on the analysis of the structure of language and its relationships to language teaching. It will demonstrate the kinds of analytic processes employed in linguistic analysis and identify the relationships between gramm...
This module is for experienced teachers only (at least 2 years + teaching practice) as it draws extensively on students’ theoretical and practical knowledge of language teaching methodologies in specific national and institutional contexts with particular...
After a brief historical overview of the origins and development of English language teaching, we study current academic discussions about the need to adapt language teaching methodologies to different environments (the so-called ‘post-method condition’)....
The Masters dissertation gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of independent research in Applied Linguistics or English Language Teaching, with guidance from a supervisor.
The aims of this module are to further develop the research, study and time management skills you will need for a substantial independent research investigation.
You must also choose from the following modules:
A range of key constructs in assessment theory and currently popular techniques in assessing language proficiency are reviewed and critically discussed. The overall processes involved in designing and implementing assessment procedures which are valid, re...
This course explores the themes of learner autonomy, resourced-based and open and distance learning and their practical outworking in an institutional context. You will be encouraged to think through ways of facilitating learning and in particular to cons...
This option provides an overview of the main contemporary currents in the diverse field of discourse analysis. Topics to be covered include the role of grammar, vocabulary and information structure in discourse; the psychology of discourse processing and ...
The module is intended to provide: a) a theory-based account of changes and innovations in technology which impact generally on the digital literacy skills and practices that students bring to class and, more specifically, on their potential implications...
This module explores the rise of English to its current dominant status.
Building on existing knowledge of language policy, English as a Global Language and language education, the core of this module will focus on critically evaluating a range of issues related to English Medium Education in multilingual university settings a...
Participants will become familiar with the more experiential and reflective approaches to teacher education current in international ELT, and also with the standards based approaches which dominate teacher education in many mainstream school systems.
This module will combine a theoretical understanding of intercultural communication with reflections and evaluations of your own intercultural experiences and applications of this to pedagogic settings and other practical settings.
This module presents ideologies of English and other languages in the changing world where globalisation and the unprecedented spread of English are significant factors. It offers the opportunities of studying language ideologies in an extensive, comprehe...
This module will introduce you to ways of exploring the reciprocal relationship between language and society from contemporary sociolinguistic perspectives.
In this module, we explore some key concepts and ‘ways of knowing’ which are central to taking a research perspective on language use, learning and teaching: the nature of theory, data, ‘truth’, idealisation, modelling, falsification etc.
This module introduces the different theoretical approaches which have been adopted for studying the acquisition of language, and examines and assesses current theories of first and second language acquisition in the light of empirical evidence.
This module will address the implementation and adaptation of language teaching methodologies to address the unique challenges inherent in instructed, early foreign language (FL) learning. The novel aspect of the module will lie in its systematic explorat...
The module examines the techniques of process, product, context, and instruction of writing in a second language. The first deals with composing and the writer in relation to the text; the second deals with the text produced, its structure and organisatio...
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- tutor and student-led seminars
- tutorials and workshops
- individual and group projects
- presentations
Assessment
We’ll assess you through a combination of:
- essays
- annotated bibliography
- critical research review
- reports on design and trialling of research instruments
- reports on workshop tasks
- records of oral presentations
- data analysis tasks
Dissertation
At the end of the programme, you will submit a 15,000-word dissertation demonstrating your ability to carry out an extended piece of independent research in English language teaching.
Academic Support
You’ll have access to:
- a personal academic tutor for general support
- a research supervisor to offer guidance throughout your dissertation
Careers
Our graduates move on to advanced and leadership positions in:
- language teaching
- language teacher education
These roles are based either in state and private schools, or education ministries and educational bodies at regional and state level.
A master’s degree will help you develop the skills employers look for, such as:
- time, deadline and project management
- problem solving, critical thinking and research analysis
- working independently
- teamwork, relationship-building and cultural awareness
- using your initiative
Above all, you will learn to communicate your ideas and enthusiasm to a wide range of audiences.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £19,580.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
