TESOL and Intercultural Communication MA

Overview

Pursue advanced study in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and develop your understanding of intercultural communication on our TESOL and Intercultural Communication MA. 

This Master's programme is ideal if you want to deepen your understanding of intercultural dynamics in language education. You might be an:

• aspiring or experienced English language teacher
• educator or professional working across a variety of educational settings

This course integrates TESOL practices with effective intercultural communication. There is a flexible structure with core and optional modules. These modules explore how cultural identities and global contexts shape language learning. You can tailor your studies to support personal career goals by choosing a dissertation or practical project. 

What sets this course apart is its emphasis on preparing you to navigate diverse classrooms and foster inclusive, culturally responsive teaching. 

Graduates are well-positioned to take up careers in: 

• English language teaching in multicultural settings 
• international education and exchange programmes 
• intercultural communication consultancy 
• curriculum and materials design for diverse learners 
• teacher training and development with a global focus 
• international student support 
• international student recruitment 
• research on language teaching in multicultural settings 

The Language Resource Centre

Students in a seminar

Newcastle University campus

Students in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

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

You will learn how to:

• effectively teach English in diverse educational contexts
• design language teaching and learning materials that are culturally relevant and appropriate for:
  • targeted groups 
  • specific intercultural issues 
• teach and communicate in global educational contexts 
• navigate interculturality in TESOL classrooms 

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. This fosters both research excellence and professional development. 

You will also explore how intercultural communication shapes language education, allowing you to investigate cultural diversity, identity, and interaction in global learning contexts. This will make your final project especially relevant in today’s interconnected world.

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 Intercultural Communication 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:

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
Materials Design and Technology in TESOL	20
Teaching Languages Online	20
Teaching English for Academic Purposes	20
Teaching English as a Global Language	20

You'll take the following compulsory Intercultural Communication module:

Compulsory Module	Credits
Introduction to Intercultural Communication	20

 

You'll take two of the following Intercultural Communication modules:

Optional Intercultural Communication Modules	Credits
Sociolinguistics	20
Professional Communication in Intercultural Settings	20
Culture, Interculturality and Identity	20
Multimodal Communication	20
Multilingualism	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You will study 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 educator, researcher, or language professional, this programme will help you deepen your expertise in TESOL. You’ll also gain a clear understanding of intercultural communication.

Throughout the programme you will:

• build the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to teach English in diverse, global settings 
• explore how cultural identities shape communication and learning
• develop the ability to navigate intercultural interactions in language classrooms and beyond
• gain hands-on research training to support the completion of:
  • a dissertation, or
  • a teaching-focused practical project

After completing the programme, you will be ready to: 

• engage in intellectual enquiry in TESOL and Intercultural Communication 
• critically analyse theories, methodologies, and research findings in both fields 
• explore key debates in language teaching and intercultural settings 
• synthesise information from diverse sources to develop well-founded arguments or propose original hypotheses 
• interpret and evaluate teaching materials and language through cultural and theoretical frameworks 

Practical application and research

• apply TESOL principles in real-world teaching, using intercultural principles to meet the needs of diverse learners
• design culturally responsive lessons and materials for specific learner groups
• plan and complete your own research or practical project that explores the intersection of language learning and intercultural communication

Communication and professional skills

• present complex ideas clearly through writing, speaking, and visual methods
• collaborate and communicate effectively in diverse teams and intercultural environments
• manage your time, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines with confidence
• demonstrate initiative by setting personal learning goals and pursuing professional development
• adapt to change in fast-moving academic and professional contexts
• use electronic databases, virtual learning environments, and online communication tools

Your future

In today’s global world, the ability to teach English while navigating intercultural communication is more important than ever. This programme prepares you for a range of professional roles where language education and intercultural competence intersect. 

Graduates are well-positioned to pursue careers in the UK and internationally, including: 

• English language teaching in private and public schools
• teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in colleges and universities
• international education programme coordination
• study abroad coordination
• curriculum and materials design with a focus on intercultural communication
• language policy consultancy for multilingual and multicultural contexts
• teacher training and professional development
• English language instruction in international business and corporate settings
• intercultural communication consultancy and support roles in education

Further study 

This programme also provides excellent preparation for further academic study. You will develop advanced research skills and critical thinking abilities. These are ideal for doctoral-level research (e.g. PhD) in:

• TESOL
• Applied Linguistics, or 
• Intercultural Communication

Our Careers Service

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

Visit our Careers Service website

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 will 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 are 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

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

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  

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events