Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA, by distance learning, 2½ years
Build your academic and professional expertise in Applied Linguistics and TESOL without falling behind in other areas of your life. You can study this MA online, from the comfort of your own home.
Course information
UK fee £10,900
International fee £10,900
Taught by Education
Admissions and course enquiries
dladmissions@le.ac.uk
Website
School of Education
Course description
Course description
The Master's in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a rigorous qualification for experienced teachers of English which will build upon your professional knowledge and expertise. The programme has been developed with the professional in mind and offers you many opportunities for career enhancement.
All our Applied Linguistics and TESOL tutors have been professional language teachers with many years of accumulated pedagogic and academic experience around the world. Distance learning students will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based global community of fellow students. The course provides you with the opportunity to undertake research into your particular area of interest, allowing you to develop a specific area of expertise. You will be able to develop your knowledge and skills and will also have the chance to apply these directly to your professional workplace. Most of our distance learning students continue to teach while they study on the programme. Continued contact with your learners during this time offers real advantages, as you can put your knowledge straight into practice.
The programme is based on content-rich online module materials, supported by multimedia and moderated discussion forums enabling you to study wherever or whenever you want. The MA also includes e-tivities (collaborative online activities) which allow you to discuss ideas and issues with peers from a range of backgrounds. Learning with others offers a rich resource which enables you to develop an understanding of educational systems other than your own. It also reduces the potential isolation of studying as a distance learning student.
The MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL provides professional development and training, including:
- A critical understanding of key issues and debates in many areas of Applied Linguistics and of how these relate to English Language Teaching.
- A body of knowledge that will enhance your ability to undertake language teaching at a range of levels and cultural and institutional contexts.
- The ability to reflect, analyse and critically evaluate language teaching and learning concepts and theories, and to understand and examine the assumptions underlying different classroom practices.
- The ability to analyse language in use from different perspectives relevant to language teaching and learning.
- The skills to undertake effective practitioner research in your specific area of interest.
We are one of the longest established providers of postgraduate studies in Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the UK. On this course you will join teachers from all over the world. You will also benefit from our active involvement in research in different areas of Applied Linguistics and TESOL.
We pride ourselves on the level of support we provide our distance learning students. Our award-winning library has world-class facilities for distance learning students. You will have full access to our other support services and will be assigned a personal tutor. Our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, offers a wide range of study support material.
Try our free online course
If you’re interested in finding out more about the field of applied linguistics and how it relates to TESOL, you could try our free, online course Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- 2:2 or above in a relevant subject, or equivalent.
- You should be a teacher or already be working in the English Language Teaching field with one year's full time teaching experience.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
The previous completion of certain courses will allow you to apply for Accredited Prior Learning (APL). All applications are considered on a case by case basis.
- Holders of the University of Leicester PGCert in Teaching English for Academic Purposes are exempted from 30 credits corresponding to two of our optional 15-credit courses: English for Specific Purposes, and Course & Syllabus Design.
- Holders of the Cambridge DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are exempted from 30 credits corresponding to the first block: Second Language Teaching and Learning.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with at least 6.0 in each component score. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in October 2023 or April 2024
- £10,900
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in October 2023 or April 2024
- £10,900
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our degrees are highly valued by educational employers and our MA qualifications will help you to raise your profile when seeking to advance your career as a language teaching professional. The field of English Language Teaching is increasingly competitive and many organisations see a Master's level qualification as an essential requirement. An MA from the University of Leicester indicates to employers that you have up-to-date knowledge and have developed critical and transferable skills that will equip you to take on a more senior role in the language teaching programme of any educational institution. Indeed, many of our past MA students have gone on to gain promotion or move into new demanding jobs on completion of the programme.
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Core modules
Core modules
Plus your Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Option modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Teacher Education
- Language Testing and Assessment
- Course and Syllabus Design
- Materials Design and Development
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
- Technology Enhanced Language Learning
- Intercultural Communication
- Corpus Linguistics: Language Learning and Teaching
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Dissertation
Dissertation
The dissertation provides an opportunity for you to investigate a topic in depth. You will undertake the project independently, but support will be provided by your tutor. The module materials provide a comprehensive introduction to research methods, while the moderated discussion forum allows you to exchange views and ideas with fellow students and staff.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
The University of Leicester has over 25 years' experience of offering high quality distance learning courses.
This course has been developed by leading academics in the field of Applied Linguistics and English language teaching.
Teaching and learning
The course is delivered online using a range of media, including downloadable resources and interactive forums. Your modules will be assessed through written assignments that are submitted at the end of each module. You will also participate in formative online ‘e-tivities’ throughout each module. Your dissertation will be between 12,000 words in length.
Distance learning, which is primarily delivered through online learning, allows you to study in your own time and space so that you can combine achieving a qualification with work or family commitments. Studying by distance learning has the benefit of allowing you to develop your career without having to leave employment. It also means you can apply new knowledge and insights into your working life whilst you are still studying. You will also have full access to our support services, as well as our virtual learning environment 'Blackboard' which offers a wide range of study support material. You will have the opportunity to join an interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world.
Learning Support
When you join the programme, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide personal support throughout the MA. In addition, each module has a designated e-moderator who co-ordinates the online activities and discussion forums.
At the beginning of each module there is an introductory video and audio podcast, as well as a Planning Unit with information and advice to help you with the organisation of your work, including information on assessment, study skills and recommended reading. While working through the module materials you will be able to interact with your personal tutor and your fellow students through module-specific online activities and discussion forums.
As well as all the resources in our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, you will be able to use the Library’s online catalogue and thousands of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The online journals collection also allows you access to leading journals in Applied Linguistics and TESOL. You will also have the support of specialised staff in the University Library’s distance learning service who can arrange postal loans for books.
Key dates
Start date: 2 October 2023
Application deadline for October 2022 start: 18 September 2023
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Applied Linguistics and TESOL | Qualification MA | Duration 30 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
I felt that I had the input, guidance and support necessary to pursue areas which were of interest to me and useful for my current and future career. I have no doubt this MA will positively influence my teaching and career development for many years to come.