English Language Teaching MA

This course is in clearing

Overview

Course modules

The English Language Teaching MA programme offers a comprehensive curriculum for professional development. The core modules establish a strong foundation. The Second Language Acquisition module explores learning theories to inform personalised teaching approaches; the Applied Research Project introduces classroom-based enquiry to enhance teaching effectiveness; Language Awareness develops advanced understanding of English grammar systems; and Teaching and Learning ELT focuses on methodology and reflective practice. The optional Approaches module further deepens methodology knowledge through critical reflection and small-scale research. Together, these modules blend theoretical skills with practical application to create well-rounded ELT professionals. 

NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.

Download course specification

Entry requirements

MA:

What makes this course different?

Study in a multilingual environment

You could not choose a location in which English language teaching is more relevant. East London is a hugely multicultural, multilingual environment.

Personalised tuition

The student-to-staff ratio on this course is low - less than 10:1. You will receive personalised tuition and dedicated support when it comes to choosing your areas of study and research.

A diverse student body

We take students from all over the world. Everyone has plenty of direct experience to share, which makes for an extremely rich learning environment.

Course options

Start date

MA

English Language Teaching MA, home applicant, full time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • Full time, 1 year
  • Pound 9120 per year

English Language Teaching MA, home applicant, part time

  • Home Applicant ,
  • Part time
  • Pound 1520 per 30 credit module

English Language Teaching MA, international applicant, full time

  • International Applicant ,
  • Full time, 1 year
  • Pound 16560 per year

English Language Teaching MA Distance Learning

What we're researching

At the School of Childhood and Social Care, we have developed an expertise in language education, in particular, teaching and learning in multicultural contexts. Dr Mario Moya, Course Leader for the MA English Language Teaching, focuses his research on second language acquisition and the role of language learning strategies in second/additional languages. He is a consultant for the British Council and works in cooperation with universities worldwide to enhance teaching and learning through the development of academic literacies and the use of neuroscience. The MA in English Language Teaching is linked to the Higher Education and the Teacher Education Research Groups.

Your future career

This master's course is one of the ways you can become qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages, either in the UK or abroad, but it also offers much more.

Global career options

On the teaching side, you may decide to enter the burgeoning world of English language teaching schools. There are a huge number of these in London.

You may want to teach English in other parts of the world.  A master's qualification will increase the opportunities to pursue such a career.

By upgrading your professional qualifications, you will also open up promotion opportunities.

It could help you become the subject head in English language teaching or assume deputy head and head teacher roles in the future.

You will become qualified to lead other teachers and to shape the future of English language teaching by devising and writing learning policies and materials or by working in a curriculum coordinator role.

Some of our international students have returned to their home countries to take up Ministry of Education roles that require a postgraduate degree in English language teaching or language studies.

The course will also equip you to pursue an academic career in the field of English language teaching, perhaps through the research route or in an associated subject such as Applied Linguistic Studies.

Rini Anand Nallagatla
Since graduating from UEL, I have freelanced as an English trainer for various companies and colleges and worked as a trainer for ACCESS, sponsored by the US Consulate, teaching and empowering students."
Rini Anand Nallagatla

MA English Language Teaching

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including:

  • Online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work.
  • Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
  • 1-2-1 career coaching services
  • Careers workshops and employer events
  • Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship support
  • Ranked 2nd for graduate start-ups (2023/24)
  • Networking and visits to leading organisations
  • Support in starting a new business, freelancing and self-employment
  • London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

This rewarding master's course can be studied on a one-year full-time basis or part-time for between two and six years. This means it can fall in with your life or teaching commitments.

The course has a strong focus on classroom practice and emphasises discussion and student contribution throughout.

Your fellow students will come to the MA from a wide range of countries and educational contexts. Such diversity guarantees a rich learning environment to which you can contribute your deepening knowledge of a complex and rapidly developing field.

Interactive learning

The lectures have more of a seminar feel, with every student encouraged to respond to the lecture material and to contribute your own anecdotal experience.

You will study one module per term. You are expected to show independent thinking and to read and critically engage with a wide range of set and recommended texts.

Extra essay seminars will be laid on for all of the assignments and main essay assessments. In these seminars, preliminary draft essays produced by students will be taken as the starting point for discussions.

It is envisaged that a series of external speakers will share their expertise in particular topics throughout the year.

How you'll be assessed

As the course is practical in nature, there are no examinations. There are written assignments for each module (either one of 5,000 words or two of 2,500 words each). These may include essays, book or article reviews, the creation and evaluation of pedagogic materials and small-scale action research projects.

You will also write a 14,000-word dissertation, which is your opportunity to investigate a specific field of study in depth. An important part of the dissertation and overall assessment will be research methods training.

Campus and facilities

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.