University of St Andrews - Online

MSc / PGDip / PGCert in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - Online

Compulsory modules (for MSc and PGDip)

The following modules are compulsory for those on the MSc and PGDip programmes. If you are studying for the PGCert, you can choose any four modules from this list or from the optional module list (if you are taking the PGCert with a specialism, one of your modules must be related to the specialism).

Action Research and Reflection for Education Practitioners

Provides a learning experience in which students can reflect on concepts and theories they have studied in the past and connect them with individual educational contexts. The module explores the combined value of reflection and action research, providing a means for educational practitioners to understand their educational contexts and to plan responses to challenges in these contexts.

Language Teaching Methodology

Explores the theories that inform teaching practice and analyses the implications these have in terms of ways of learning, material used, the teacher role and the learning spaces. This is essential for all those seeking to understand teaching environments more clearly and for those who have a chance to influence teaching environments.

Linguistics for Language Teachers

Equips you with the skills required to describe and analyse language. It does not assume prior knowledge of Linguistics and seeks to introduce you to selected fundamental concepts relevant to English language teaching. You acquire appropriate terminology and techniques in the analysis and description of grammatical terms and structures.

Second Language Acquisition

How do we learn languages? Does it make any difference what age we start at? Why do some learners seem to do better than others? Answers to these questions, and many more, would be very useful to inform language teachers and to guide learners. This module explores theories of second language acquisition to gain some understanding of what learners actually do, how learners differ, and the strategies they can use. This knowledge and understanding are evaluated in order to apply theory to practice.

Education and Researching

Focuses on different research methodologies and critically evaluates quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches, helping students to understand the features of a rigorous research question in English Language Teaching and International Education, as well as consider how to design, pilot and reflect on the effectiveness of different data collection instruments. Students will be taught and given the opportunity to practise different approaches to data analysis. The module will also include guidance and discussion on the different ethical considerations when conducting classroom-based research, as well as the important stages in writing up the dissertation.

The modules listed here are indicative. There is no guarantee they will run for September 2025 entry, and some elements may be subject to change.

Optional modules

Those on the MSc and PGDip programmes will choose three modules from the following list. If you are studying for the PGCert, you can choose any four modules from this list or from the compulsory module list.

If you are taking TESOL with a specialism, one of these modules must be related to the specialism.

Assessment and Evaluation in Education

Considers the theory and practice of assessment in pedagogy. You will learn key concepts in both how to design and improve tests for different purposes and how to make productive use of assessment within teaching. We also consider some of the broader social impacts of assessment and testing and how teachers navigate tensions when promoting student learning within a measurement culture. The module provides opportunities to reflect on how different approaches, such as mastery learning or active learning, are reflected in assessment design, as well as critiquing aspects of assessment, such as the use of time limits, group tasks, multiple-choice questions, and gamification.

English Medium Instruction

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the teaching of academic subjects through English in countries where the majority of the population does not use English as a first language. This module explores this global trend from the standpoint of content and language teachers, as well as students. It considers the wide variety of English medium instruction contexts, evaluating theory in the fields of teaching and learning, language acquisition and intercultural communication in an attempt to address some of the practical challenges involved.

English for Academic Purposes

Preparing and supporting students who come to study for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees through the medium of English is one of the most challenging but rewarding jobs in the field of language teaching. To do this well, an EAP teacher needs to understand the higher education context; the key principles underpinning learning in a university; text and discourse in the communities of the different disciplines, theories and practice of assessment; and the most effective methods and materials to motivate students and help them into a discourse community.

Teaching Young Learners

Explores theories of child development and learning which are fundamental to the understanding of child second language acquisition, namely children aged 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 18. Child psychology has to be taken into account in the development of teaching materials, teaching styles and classroom management. There is also a practical element to the module, in the form of tasks requiring you to create lesson plans and materials to share with your peers, to apply theory to practice.

Technology for Teaching

Introduces you to the principal theories, concepts and practices of technology in language education. You will be able to critically consider the role and purpose of various modes of technology in education in a wide range of settings to identify and conceptualise problems within your own professional contexts.

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some modules may only allow a limited number of students. See the University’s position on curriculum development.

The modules listed here are indicative. There is no guarantee they will run for September 2025 entry, and some elements may be subject to change.

Dissertation (MSc only)

Only those on the MSc programme are required to submit a dissertation.

For the dissertation, you will choose a topic of interest to you and to your future career. You will read related literature and conduct independent research on your topic.

Student dissertations will be supervised by IELLI staff members. Supervisors will provide guidance throughout the research process, helping you to formulate a suitable research hypothesis. They will offer advice on relevant literature and how to plan your time effectively.

TESOL graduates are equipped with a range of skills and experiences which allow them to take on a variety of roles. The majority of TESOL students work within education, either as teachers or lecturers, researchers, or policymakers. Other graduates work in publishing, journalism and management.

The number of taught modules you will take depends on whether you are studying for the MSc, PGDip or PGCert:

• students on the MSc and PGDip will take five compulsory modules plus three optional modules. If you decide to take TESOL with a specialism, you must take one of your optional modules in that specialism
• students on the PGCert will take four modules of their choice. If you decide to take a PGCert with a specialism, you must take the module of your specialism plus three more modules

You will study each module for five weeks.

In each module, you interact online in a weekly written discussion forum (or similar activity) with other postgraduate students in St Andrews and around the world, providing the opportunity to learn from peers living and working in a wide variety of contexts.

While the programme does not include an assessed teaching placement or practicum, it supports students in exploring how theory can be applied to real-world situations, through:

• practical learning and assessment tasks
• materials development activities.

Teaching format

You will take a variety of taught modules over the length of the programme. Modules are delivered in a variety of ways:

• recorded lectures
• recorded min-lectures
• online chatrooms
• podcasts
• guided writing
• webinars
• intensive feedback sessions on your work

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue. Some elements may be subject to change for September 2025 entry.