Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL),PG Dip

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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Home/United Kingdom/London /Birkbeck, University of London/Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL),PG Dip

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesOctober-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 13,900 / year

Next Intake October-2026

Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL),PG Dip

About

Course Overview

This MA Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is ideal if you are a language teacher wishing to progress to a more senior or specialist role. It will help you develop specialised knowledge in key areas of language teaching, reflect on your own teaching practice, and enable you to engage critically and constructively in debates relating to a range of aspects of language teaching.

Why choose this course?

An important feature of this MA is its flexibility. You can choose to study aspects of teaching English and graduate with an MA TESOL, or you can focus on the teaching of languages other than English and graduate with an MA Language Teaching.
It brings together teachers of English and teachers of other languages to offer you a unique focus on the multilingual and multicultural contexts of language learning and teaching.
It gives you the opportunity to learn and share experiences with teachers from all over the world to gain an insight into a range of language teaching contexts.
MA Language Teaching/TESOL is an essential qualification for those who wish to teach languages at university level, whether for general or more specific purposes. For those with less teaching experience, the MA will give you a competitive early career advantage as you gain more experience in teaching posts.

What you will learn

This course is specifically structured to bridge the gap between language teaching theory and practice, and help you reflect on the important balance between them. You will advance your knowledge of current literature in key areas of research in language teaching and, more broadly, in applied linguistics, and gain further confidence in your own practice through appreciating the variety of factors shaping language teaching and learning in the classroom.

How you will learn

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable and you can choose a route through the course attending classes on campus, online or via a combination of both. You will learn through lectures, seminars, and by carrying out your own research for assignments in which you can follow your interests in this area. You will also benefit from guest lectures, symposia and workshops across Birkbeck.

You will have the chance to choose between your dissertation pathways on this course: an empirical research investigation of an aspect of language teaching and learning, or an independent library-based project on a relevant topic of your choice.

If you are not yet ready to commit to an MA, we also offer this course as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate, ideal if you have classroom experience of language teaching, or have a broadly relevant first degree and an interest in the theory and practice of language teaching.

This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Language Teaching/Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) (MA, PG Cert, PG Dip).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Usually at least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. For applications not meeting this academic standard, professional training and/or language teaching experience will be considered.

If you have been awarded the Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) in the last five years, you may apply for credit for one option module (please indicate this in your application).

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Career

On successfully graduating from this MA Language Teaching/TESOL, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

the capacity to think and communicate creatively and critically
a sophisticated use of written and spoken English
an ability to understand and apply complex ideas
effective organisation and time-keeping skills
facility and precision in the use of analytical tools
strong skills and initiative in collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented reports or fluent, critical arguments.

If you are an experienced teacher this MA will help you to progress to a more senior or specialised position in language teaching, such as a:

senior teacher
director of studies
teacher trainer
consultant
materials developer.

Graduates can also pursue career paths in local and national government, the charity sector, public relations and the media, marketing, lexicography and translation, tourism/hospitality, academia and research. Possible professions include:

language teacher (TESOL or other languages)
secondary/further/higher education lecturer
publisher
translator
speech and language therapist
community development worker.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.