Newcastle University

Applied Linguistics and TESOL, MA

Duration: Full-time 12 months, Part-time 24 months

The degree is especially designed for those who wish to gain expertise in the new approaches and techniques for teaching English as a second or foreign language, and offers a wide range of modules in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, including Media Technology, as well as options in Linguistics and Education.

A number of modules are specially designed for graduates who are experienced language teachers and who wish to acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and aptitudes necessary to develop their careers in language teaching in an international context.

For language graduates with little or no teaching experience, the degree offers introductory modules in TESOL which will provide you with a thorough grounding in the practical skills and knowledge which are of interest and importance to language teaching and learning.

The two groups will follow different routes through the programme, though most modules are open to all students.

Coursework and assessment

Candidates with less than two years’ full‐time teaching experience take the following compulsory modules:

• Introduction to TESOL (20 credits)
• Core Issues in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits)

Candidates with at least two years’ full‐time teaching experience take the following compulsory module:

• TESOL Theory and Practice: Syllabus Design and Classroom Processes (20 credits)

All candidates take the following compulsory modules

• Research methods in Applied Linguistics (20 credits)
• Dissertation or Software Portfolio (60 credits)

All candidates take further optional modules to a value of 60 credits (candidates with less than two years’ full‐time teaching experience) or 80 credits (candidates with at least two years’ full‐time teaching experience) from the following. The modules offered may vary from year to year, as areas of interest and expertise change - the list below is for illustrative purposes only. If there are modules you are particularly interested in, contact TESOL@NCL.AC.UK. :

• Language Testing and Assessment (20 credits)
• Computer Assisted Language Learning (10 credits)
• Core Issues in Second Language Acquisition (20 credits) (advised for candidates with less than 2 years teaching experience)
• Understanding Second Language Classroom Interaction (20 credits)
• Thinking Skills in English Language Teaching (20 credits)
• The English Writing System (20 credits)
• TESOL for Young Learners (20 credits)
• Task-based Language Teaching and Assessment (20 credits)
• Reconceptualising SLA Research: The Issues and the Debates (20 credits)
• Teacher Development for TESOL (20 credits)
• Discourse Analysis for English Language Teachers (20 credits)
• Introduction to Corpus Linguistics (20 credits)

Students may take one of the following non‐Applied Linguistics and TESOL option modules to a maximum 20 credits

• The Social Psychology of Communication (20 credits)
• Sociolinguistics (20 credits)
• Language and Cross Cultural Communication (20 credits)
• English in the World: Global and Cross Cultural Issues Surrounding English as a 'Lingua Franca' (20 credits)
• Culture, Interculturality and Identity (20 credits)
• Emotional Intelligence and Leadership (20 credits)
• Counselling, Culture and Communication (20 credits)
• Developing Thinking Skills (20 credits)
• Counselling Children and Young People (20 credits)
• British Studies (20 credits)
• Leadership and Strategic Management (20 credits)
• Cross Cultural Cognition and Bilingualism (20 credits)
• Culture & Intercultural Communication in English Language (20 credits)

Entry requirements

• You should be a graduate (or have equivalent qualifications);
• Applicants whose first language is not English should have IELTS 6.5 overall ( with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other sub sections ), TOEFL 575 (paper-based) or 233 (computer-based), or equivalent; (with a TOEFL writing score of 5.0 on the computer-based test).
• For some modules a minimum of two years’ full-time teaching experience is required.

Fees and Funding

For more information on fees, funding and how to apply for this programme Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA.

Funding may also be available from the School of Education, Communication and Langauge Sciences.

For any other enquiries about this programme, please contact:

Sandra Lovell
Telephone: + 44 (0) 191 222 6377
Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 6546
E-mail: TESOL@ncl.ac.uk

A brochure with the latest details of our MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL degree is available to download.
A summary in Chinese of the MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL brochure is also available to download.