TESOL and Digital Technology MA

Overview

The TESOL and Digital Technology MA blends practical TESOL theory with cutting-edge digital applications.  

This Master’s is ideal if you are:

• an aspiring or experienced English language teacher, or
• an educator and professional working across a variety of educational settings and would like to enhance your practice through digital technologies

You'll benefit from a flexible structure with a range of modules in language teaching and technology-enhanced learning. You can tailor your study to support personal career goals by choosing a dissertation or practical project.

This course focuses on the integration of digital tools into language education, preparing you to lead in-person, online and blended learning environments. With a global perspective and strong research foundation, the course fosters critical reflection and practical skills. 

Graduates are well-positioned to pursue the following careers in the UK and beyond:

• EdTech
• digital curriculum development
• online language teaching
• educational technology consultancy
• English language teaching in private and public schools 
• teaching English for Academic Purposes in colleges and universities  
• curriculum and materials design
• teacher training and development
• academic research on TESOL and digital technologies
• teaching English in international businesses 

The Language Resource Centre

Students in a seminar

Newcastle University campus

Students in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences

Important information

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

With a focus on the integration of digital technology in language teaching, you’ll: 

• develop critical awareness of the ethical implications of using digital technologies in TESOL settings
• learn how to design language teaching and learning materials that integrate digital technologies to facilitate effective language learning
• gain in-depth knowledge of research and teaching methodologies relevant to TESOL, with a focus on digital technologies
• engage in scholarly inquiry and effective pedagogical practice within the discipline

TESOL Research Portfolio

A highlight of the programme is the opportunity to undertake an innovative TESOL Research Portfolio. Through classes and workshops, you will develop a robust grounding in the different approaches applicable to research in TESOL. The portfolio assessment is a supportive, structured format that culminates in either:

• a dissertation, where you produce original academic research
• a practical project, aimed at investigating professional practice

This allows you to align your final project with your career ambitions and academic interests, fostering research excellence and professional development. 

You can also explore how digital technologies can be used to enhance language teaching and learning. This will make your final project especially relevant in today’s tech-driven educational landscape.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

TESOL and Digital Technology MA modules

Please note: Some modules are currently listed as inactive. These modules will be active for students starting the programme in September 2026.

You'll take the following compulsory module:

Compulsory Module	Credits
TESOL Research Portfolio	60

You'll take two of the following TESOL modules:

TESOL Modules	Credits
Language Awareness	20
English Language Teaching Methods	20
Language Learning	20

You'll take one of the following optional TESOL modules:

Optional TESOL Modules	Credits
Spoken Interaction in Language Learning and Testing Contexts	20
TESOL for Young Learners	20
Discourse Analysis for Second Language Teachers: Understanding L2 interaction	20
Teaching English for Academic Purposes	20
Teaching English as a Global Language	20

You'll take three of the following Digital Technology modules:

Digital Technology Modules	Credits
Materials Design and Technology in TESOL	20
Teaching Languages Online	20
The Future of Learning in the Digital Age	20
The Design of Technology Enhanced Learning	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

We deliver modules through a mix of: 

• in-person lectures
• in-person small group teaching
• in-person small group workshops
• online interactive lessons
• online lecture videos and activities
• guided independent work 
  • independent research study tasks
  • fieldwork tasks
  • lesson planning
  • teaching materials development
• collaborations with international partners 
• data analysis

We use a variety of teaching methods to: 

• support your learning experience
• develop your learning potential
• prepare you for real-world challenges

Interactive sessions encourage you to apply new knowledge, concepts and skills to your practice. Weekly independent study tasks allow you to engage with and contribute to sessions and seminars. 

This programme can be taken full time or part time over two years. 

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Observation of professional practice
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper

Student Support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Your development

If you're an aspiring educator, researcher, or language professional, this MA will help you explore the intersection of TESOL and digital innovation. As part of this course you'll:

• develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in a variety of teaching and learning contexts, including online and blended environments
• have hands-on research training to produce:
  • a strong dissertation, or
  • a teaching-focused practical project
• have the opportunity to investigate how digital technologies can enhance language education

When you graduate, you’ll be able to:

• engage in rigorous intellectual enquiry in TESOL, with a focus on digital pedagogies
• critically engage in key debates concerning teaching and learning English as a second, foreign or international language, especially in tech-enhanced contexts
• synthesise information from diverse sources to:
  • develop well-founded arguments
  • make informed judgements
  • propose original hypotheses
• apply relevant theories and tools and interpret, analyse, and assess:
  • teaching materials
  • language usage
  • language production

Practical application and research 

• apply TESOL theories effectively in real-world teaching and learning scenarios, including digital and hybrid settings
• design language teaching and learning materials that integrate digital technologies tailored to specific learner groups
• plan, design, and conduct an independent research or a practical project, with the option to explore technology-enhanced learning

Communication and professional skills 

• present complex ideas clearly and effectively through written, spoken, visual, and digital formats
• collaborate and communicate effectively within diverse teams and online learning environments
• manage your time efficiently, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines with confidence
• demonstrate initiative by setting personal learning goals and pursuing professional development
• adapt proactively to change in dynamic academic and professional contexts
• use electronic databases, virtual learning environments, and online communication platforms with proficiency 

Your future

The education sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation. This programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in emerging roles in: 

• EdTech 
• digital curriculum development 
• online language teaching 
• educational technology consultancy 
• academic research on TESOL and Digital Technologies 

You'll also be well-positioned to pursue the following careers in the UK and beyond: 

• English language teaching in private and public schools 
• teaching English for Academic Purposes in colleges and universities   
• curriculum and materials design 
• teacher training and development 
• teaching English in language schools, language centres and international businesses 

Further study 

You'll also develop advanced research skills. This is excellent preparation if you are interested in further academic study (i.e. a PhD) and research. 

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

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Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS), you'll have access to the ECLS Resource Centre, based in King George VI Building. It has a computer cluster and a range of educational and teaching materials and texts. 

Additionally, you can access ilab: learn. This is a laboratory for developing and using state-of-the-art digital technology for education. 

English as a second language

If you're using English as a second or other language, you can attend a tailored academic writing course for TESOL students. This course is part of the Newcastle International Study Centre's  In-Sessional English support programme. This programme includes modules on:

•    writing for TESOL
•    intensive dissertation writing
•    1-to-1 writing tutorials

We work with the Newcastle International Study Centre to give our international students the support that they need to thrive on our course. 

Wellbeing

We also work very closely with the University's Student Wellbeing Services to ensure you get the support you need. Our School has its very own Student Wellbeing Advisor. They are an invaluable initial point of contact if you experience wellbeing-related issues. 

Interested in learning languages?

You can take free language classes with the  University-Wide Language Programme . You can study a variety of languages, including French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. 

The University's Language Resource Centre  provides many free services to help your language learning and cross-cultural communication. 

Library

Newcastle University Library is an award-winning service with:

• four buildings on campus
• one off-campus facility
• 0.8 million print books
• over 0.7 million e-books
• over 54,000 e-journal titles

 The library also has study spaces, postgraduate study rooms, computer clusters, media room and café. 

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study. 

Explore these courses

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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