利兹大学

Overview

This programme for experienced TESOL teachers, advisors and teacher trainers focuses on the teaching of English or other languages to children between 5 and 12 years old.

You’ll study core modules alongside students on our other TESOL programmes, exploring how people learn languages and the strategies teachers use to develop the key skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. A specialist module will focus on foreign language learning in children and how theories of learning and pedagogy have contributed to TESOL practice in the classroom.

In addition, you’ll choose from optional modules allowing you to build your knowledge of topics such as the potential for technology in language learning, materials development and TESOL teacher education.

Taught by leading researchers and experienced practitioners in TESOL, you’ll benefit from a wide range of resources and support. You’ll gain valuable skills to inform your teaching practice in a stimulating, friendly environment.

Research and professional insight

The Language Education team in the School of Education is nationally and internationally recognised for its range of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and consultancy work in TESOL, ELT, EFL, ESOL, EAL, Modern Foreign Languages, and Applied Linguistics.

As a large team of education practitioners, we have a wide range of experience of teaching and teacher education work in many contexts in the UK and around the world. As researchers, we have a broad range of expertise across the discipline with ongoing research projects in teacher development, language use in migrant communities, learning with digital technologies, and IELTS preparation courses.

Learning and teaching

You will be taught by a range of teaching methods including seminars and tutorials. However, independent study is an important aspect of this programme, either alone or in a group, as it allows you to develop key research, analysis and communication skills and develop your own ideas.

Assessment

Most of our taught modules are assessed through written assignments, which you’ll choose from a range of topics. To help you prepare, you’ll be able to submit a draft to your tutor for comment beforehand, and we offer other forms of support as well. You’ll also complete a portfolio of work such as materials and activities as part of the module Teaching Languages to Young Learners.

Career opportunities

There is a worldwide trend towards introducing English at earlier stages of national curricula, while parents often seek out private tutoring for their children at even younger ages.

MA TESOL for Young Learners encourages participants to take a critical perspective on these developments, but also equips them with the skills and understanding to participate more fully in young learner pedagogy in their home or other international contexts.

Recent graduates of the programme for example have become teacher trainers, others have found more rewarding classroom positions, and those who do particularly well are encouraged to consider continuing to doctoral study.