Coventry University - MA English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics

Coventry University

MA English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics

This Master’s course aims to provide specialist professional development for English Language Teaching (ELT). It draws on innovative research carried out on the English language by members of the School of Humanities (English language specialists) and focuses on the theory and practice of teaching English in a variety of contexts.

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The course offers two pathways: one focusing on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and one focusing on Linguistics and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). The course includes a wide variety of assessment tasks and the opportunity for students to select their own dissertation topic on a subject that is relevant to their teaching context.

The course includes the opportunity to take part in study trips.. * In recent years (e.g. 2018 and 2019) we have ran free trips to the London Museums to design language learning tasks based on the artefacts viewed, and to Stratford-upon-Avon to study the impact that Shakespeare’s language has had on modern English. During the optional study trip to Valencia, Spain, we observe English classes taught in three different universities and discuss intercultural and context-specific issues relating to English Language Teaching with our international partners.

*Study trips may be subject to additional fees, application processes and/or be subject to availability.

The course also engages with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchanges, with the partners the students may visit during their international study trip*, and engagement with Massive Open Online Learning Courses (MOOCs). Research carried out by staff on the course in 2017 shows that this enhances participating students’ digital fluency and intercultural awareness, refer for example to the English Language Teaching Research Award (ELTRA) study published by the British Council in 2018: BMELTT (Blending MOOCs for English Language Teacher Training).

*Study trips may be subject to additional fees, application processes and/or be subject to availability.

Entry Requirements


The course is open to both experienced teachers and to students who have recently graduated. It is suitable for overseas applicants and UK nationals. Graduates from any subject who have an interest in teaching English as a Foreign Language can apply for this course.

This course requirements a minimum grade of 2:2 or above.

For information regarding specific requirements, please fill in our request information form.

The course is open to both experienced teachers and to students who have recently graduated. It is suitable for overseas applicants and UK nationals. Graduates from any subject who have an interest in teaching English as a Foreign Language can apply for this course.

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 6 in writing. If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.


Career Prospects

According to the British Council, there were around 1.5 billion people learning and using English worldwide in 2018, forecast to rise to 2 billion by 2020. So there is a high demand for teachers of English in language schools, private schools, state schools, universities and colleges throughout the world.

In addition to enabling you to learn more about classroom, blended and online teaching and learning, this course will provide you with the chance to develop skills to perform roles such as materials developer, resource manager and examiner. It can also lead to a variety of careers associated with teaching English or the use of English Language, including education management, academic consultancy, journalism, information management and human resources, among others.

On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to:

  • Critically appraise theoretical approaches to language learning and teaching and reflect on how to apply them in your teaching practice .
  • Discuss and develop research-informed innovative materials for English Language Teaching that are appropriate for your learning and teaching contexts.
  • Discuss and propose pedagogical interventions for the purpose of teaching grammar and/or phonology in specific contexts.
  • Develop research-informed teaching sessions.
  • Critically reflect on observed teaching practice.
  • Engage in research-informed reflections on the teaching of English through literature and/or business across contexts.

Our Futures employment team offers tailored career and enterprise support if you wish to gain employment or take advantage of professional practice opportunities within course specific job destinations. We are unique in offering postgraduate students career support within the School of Humanities through an employment personal tutor who can check your curriculum vitae/resume’, support you with preparation for interviews and help with writing covering letters for job applications. 

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Course Details

This course gives you the opportunity to reflect on your own professional development as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language in a stimulating, interactive and innovative way. It discusses how different settings and teaching scenarios can affect your teaching approach.

A diagnostic task is administered at the start the course to support your academic development and this task is discussed with your allocated personal tutor, who can support your learning journey and provide sign-posting for your pastoral needs. At Coventry University we also offer the support of a School-based employment tutor, as well as the support of a central Career Office (please check the Employability section of this course webpage for further details on this).

Students on the course can apply for internal part-time job opportunities, both voluntary and paid, and these have included over the years: Pre-sessional English Teacher and/or Conversational Assistant; Academic Tutor at the Centre for Academic Writing; Linguae Mundi teacher (teaching their native language for the Centre for Global Engagement); Volunteer for English classes for refugees; Volunteer for English classes for members of the public; Academic English tutor for modules on degree courses; Language module tutor on the Add Vantage university-wide provision and Student Ambassador.

Students are also invited to take part in the community of English Language Teaching research practice in the School of Humanities, for example the CLAC (Corpus Linguistics at Coventry) monthly seminars and the occasional visiting lectures by famous linguists (e.g. Prof David Crystal in 2018).

According to our External Examiners, employers, alumni and our current students, the distinctive features of this course are:

  • The stress on the links between theory and practice;
  • The emphasis on the integration of new technologies in language learning and teaching;
  • Its task-based/problem-based approach to language learning and teaching;
  • Its varied and innovative assessment tasks;
  • The quality of both the pastoral and academic support offered to students;
  • Its innovative approach to the internationalisation of the curriculum through Online International Learning, Massive Open Online Courses and ELT study trips, both national and international;
  • The opportunity to obtain job placements (this is selective);
  • The possibility of obtaining the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) vocational qualification.

Students who have DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) will be given Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for up to 30 credits of the programme.

Year one

• Theories and Methods of Language Learning and Teaching
• Developing Language Teaching Materials
• Grammar and Phonology for the English Language Teacher
• Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Theory and Practice
• English Language Teaching in Practice
• Business English
• Teaching English through Literature
• Research Methods
• Dissertation
• Professional Enhancement: Managing the Teaching and Learning Process

Attachments

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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