MA TESOL

Accredited By
Plymouth Marjon University, UK
Intakes
January | May | September
Duration
1 Year

Be the voice that carries in English Language Teaching.

Delivered by Exeed ECX, The Plymouth Marjon University, one-year MA TESOL program is tailored for individuals aiming to begin or further develop a career in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Whether you are an experienced professional with a DELTA qualification or an aspiring educator with a solid foundation in language learning, this postgraduate degree equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in English language classrooms around the world.

Central to the program is a balanced focus on theory and practice, enabling students to develop in-depth expertise across four key areas:

  • Learner Dynamics: Studying styles and strategies.

  • Pedagogy & Materials: Designing and delivering effective lessons.

  • Linguistic Analysis: Breaking down the mechanics of the English language.

  • Research & Ethics: Building professional and investigative expertise.

All modules are informed by current research and evidence-based practice, ensuring that students engage with the most up-to-date developments in language teaching and learning. The programme comprises eight 15-credit modules alongside a 60-credit final dissertation, encouraging independent research and critical reflection throughout.

The MA TESOL is well suited to:

  • Practising teachers who wish to enhance their professional expertise

  • DELTA-qualified educators seeking academic advancement through APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

  • Aspiring professionals with substantial language learning experience

The programme welcomes both native and non-native English speakers from the UK, the EU, and around the world.

What Makes This Course Stand Out?

The MA TESOL from Plymouth Marjon University is a globally relevant postgraduate programme designed to equip educators with advanced knowledge, practical expertise, and the confidence to teach English in diverse international contexts.

Here are five key reasons to choose this programme:

  • Research-informed curriculum grounded in current developments in language teaching and learning
  • Strong balance of theory and practice to enhance classroom effectiveness
  • Opportunities for academic progression, including APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) for DELTA qualified teachers
  • Independent research focus through a substantial final dissertation
  • An internationally recognised UK master’s degree preparing graduates for global English language teaching careers

Suggested Programme Structure

Module 1: Second Language learning theory

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM01 Second Language learning theory 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Critically evaluate and discuss different perspectives on second language
    learning and acquisition.
  • MLO2. Appraise the role of social, affective and cognitive factors which influence
    processes of second language learning and acquisition.
  • MLO3. Critically evaluate traditional and innovative methods of assessment task
    design.

Second Language Learning: Key Concepts and Issues 

  • Recent history of Second language learning
  • Cognitive Approaches on Second Language Learning
  • Interaction in Second Language Learning
  • Sociocultural perspective on Second language learning
  • Sociolinguistics on Second language learning
  • Complex Dynamic system theory
  • Assessment

Module 2: TESOL methodology

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM02 TESOL methodology 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Critically evaluate a range of theoretical frameworks.
  • MLO2. Reflect on professional practice in TESOL and observations of authentic
    classbased teaching.
  • MLO3. Show evidence of critical and innovative or creative thinking about TESOL lesson
    design.

Course Content (Indicative)

  • Historical and current TESOL Methodologies
  • Classroom management techniques
  • Approaches to English language learning and teaching
  • Eective teaching strategies and techniques for teaching
  • Reading, writing, listening and speaking
  • Medium of instruction in teaching and learning
  • Assessment
  • Authentic classroom observation

Module 3: Current Issues in TESOL

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM03 Current Issues in TESOL 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Critically evaluate the role of stakeholders in curriculum planning and practical
    TESOL delivery.
  • MLO2. Synthesize a range of perspectives on teacher learning, teacher training, professional development and curricular innovation.
  • MLO3. Critically discuss how assessment design and processes can have an impact on
    learning, teaching and curriculum design.

Course Content (Indicative)
Teaching and Learning Experience:

  • Individual Tutorials: Content and Language Integrated Learning.
  • Translanguaging and TNE in TESOL.
  • Learning beyond the classroom.
  • Building an online learning community.
  • Assessment design and practice.
  • Assessment and artificial intelligence.
  • Intercultural communication.
  • Language planning.
  • School & team management
    e.g. giving constructive feedback to sta

 

Module 4: Language and Error Analysis

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM04 Language and Error Analysis 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Describe a comprehensive range of standard English forms and critically analyze
    typical learner errors.
  • MLO2. Critically evaluate how social context and task type interact with language.
  • MLO3. Provide accurate, constructive and practical feedback to students on a range of
    English language errors.

Course Content (Indicative)
Teaching and Learning Experience:

  • Assessment and practical analysis of a range of English grammatical
  • Constructions and learner errors.
  • Assessment and practical analysis of English morphology and learner errors.
  • Assessment and practical analysis of English semantics and learner errors.
  • Cross-cultural pragmatics and intercultural communication
  • Discourse analysis approaches to appropriateness of form and function
    and how this relates to stylistic variation.

Module 5: Analyzing and Teaching Speech

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM05 Analyzing and Teaching Speech 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Analyze and describe a range of standard English speech sounds and compare these to learner errors.
  • MLO2. Provide accurate, constructive and practical feedback on pronunciation.
  • MLO3. Critically evaluate how pronunciation accuracy interacts with personal, social, and linguistic contexts and the extent to which native speaker-like speech is desirable.

Course Content (Indicative)

  • Practical analysis of English pronunciation from a range of native and non-native speaker language backgrounds
  • Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
  • Assessing spoken English
  • Analysis of error patterns
  • How speech errors interact with lexis, grammar and morphology
  • How speech is aected by social, interactive and stylistic contexts
  • Planning and delivering pronunciation classes
  • Identification and mitigation of error patterns
  • How to give constructive and targeted feedback to students

Module 6: Designing Materials for TESOL

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM06 Designing Materials for TESOL 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Show substantial evidence of principled and creative thinking in designing tasks and materials for language learning.
  • MLO2. Demonstrate critical understanding of how learning resources, curriculum design, teaching methodology and individual learning styles interact.
  • MLO3. Critically evaluate how learning resources can be adapted and supplemented to meet the needs of learners.

Course Content (Indicative)

  • An introduction to materials design
    • The importance of materials in TESOL
    • Their role in the language classroom
  • Types of materials
  • Approaches and principles to materials design and adaptation
  • Cultural and socio-political considerations in material des
  • Authentic materials
  • Assessment and feedback

Module 7: Teaching Practice

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM07 Teaching Practice 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Integrate theory and practice in the planning, delivery and subsequent adaptation of L2 lessons.
  • MLO2. Function as elective reflective practitioners and critically evaluate their skills, lessons, plans, resources, activities and assessment strategies based on an understanding of the relationships between theories and practices in TESOL.
  • MLO3. Respond appropriately to feedback on their teaching.

Course Content (Indicative)
Teaching and Learning Experience:

  • Taught preparation session on professional conduct, communication, classroom ethics and practical language teaching.
  • In class/school opportunities to develop TESOL skills in an authentic, but supportive environment
  • Assimilation and practical application of the content from preceding modules.
  • Critical awareness of key issues in TESOL that underpin the practice of language teaching.
    Reflection on how to teach all four skills effectively and appropriately for given contexts.
  • Explore ways in which cognitive, aactive and linguistic influences impact on the second language learning and teaching in the internship context.
  • Personalized Feedback and advice from course tutors.
  • The development of a personalized CPD plan based on reflections of their TP experience and on their assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.
  • How to give constructive and targeted feedback to peers.

Module 8: Research Methods

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM08 Research Methods 15

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Critically evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of a range of research methodologies and how these methods inform research design.
  • MLO2. Produce critical reviews of previous research relevant to their chosen field of study.
  • MLO3. Propose an appropriate research project and critically assess the ethical and practical issues that it entails.

Course Content (Indicative)

  • Research methods in the social sciences and language education in general and in TESOL in particular.
  • The role of research in understanding language learning, language teaching, language description and language assessment.
  • The role of existing research.
  • Researching literature and critical reviews.
  • The processes involved planning and developing a research project in TESOL Ethics in researching people.
  • Planning and conducting quantitative empirical research, including experiments, and language tests.
  • Planning and conducting qualitative research, including observations, interviews, questionnaires and other types of qualitative data.
  • Writing up research reports.

Module 9: Dissertation

Module Code Module Title Credits
ESLM09 Master’s Project 60

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • MLO1. Design an independent research project including a critical evaluation of how TESOL and other educational research methods informed the design.
  • MLO2. Present a coherent written account of how the project is informed by previous research.
    MLO3. Critically evaluate ethical issues in specific project design.
  • MLO4. Carry out and critically evaluate the eectiveness of the methodologies used.
  • MLO5. Provide supporting evidence of the systematic analysis of language, TESOL contexts, and/or action and activities undertaken.
  • MLO6. Present a coherent and critical spoken account of the project.

Course Content (Indicative)

  • Research methods in the social sciences and language education in general and in TESOL in particular.
  • The role of research in understanding language learning, language teaching, language description and language assessment.
  • The role of existing research
  • Researching literature and critical reviews
  • The process involved planning and developing a research project in TESOL
  • Ethics in researching people.
  • Planning and conducting quantitative empirical research, including experiments, and language tests
  • Planning and conducting qualitative research, including observations, interviews, questionnaires and other types of qualitative data
  • Writing up research reports
  • Guidance on Thesis planning, development and conduct
  • Guidance on thesis structure, style and research reporting
  • Production of a research-based paper in SLA
  • Summarizing skills and design for presentations of research project reports
Overview
Tuition Fees
Entry Requirements
Financial Support

MA TESOL from Plymouth Marjon University

The MA TESOL Dissertation and Research Methods module, delivered in partnership with Exeed ECX, empowers educators to design and execute a rigorous investigation into contemporary English language teaching (ELT) and learning challenges. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students employ specialized quantitative and qualitative research frameworks to explore classroom dynamics, curriculum design, or linguistic acquisition. By critically analyzing primary data within their specific educational context, students develop evidence-based insights that drive instructional innovation, policy refinement, and reflective teaching practice.

 
 

Tuition Fees

The total tuition fees for the MA TESOL, Plymouth Marjon University:

Program Price: £ 4800

One Year Installment Plan: First Payment £ 750  + £ 380  X 11

Application fee: £ 100 (non-refundable)

* This price includes all online program related costs. Additional costs may apply in some circumstances.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University

IELTS score of 6.0 overall Proficiency in the English language  

 

Financial Support

We understand that funding your education can be challenging, which is why we provide convenient instalment plans to support you. These flexible payment options help you manage your tuition fees comfortably while staying focused on your learning journey.

By offering flexible payment schedules, we ensure that learners can access high‑quality education without compromising their financial stability. For further information on setting up a flexible payment plan, please connect with our admissions team. They look forward to supporting you as you begin your chosen programme.

 

Plymouth Marjon University (PMU), officially based in Plymouth, Devon, UK, is a recognized British university that offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional degree programmes across a wide range of subjects such as business, education, health, sport science, media, and more.

  • Founded: 1840 (original institution, with full university status granted in 2013)

  • Location: Campus in a coastal city (Plymouth), providing rich academic, cultural, and outdoor environments

  • Known for its student centered approach and strong emphasis on real-world career readiness.

PMU validates the degree Exeed ECX delivers: Exeed delivers the programme; the degree certificate comes from PMU.
• That means your transcript would say the degree is a Plymouth Marjon University award with the academic standards set by PMU.

👉 Key point: Exeed ECX teaches the programme and administers it locally, but the degree or award is from Plymouth Marjon University in the UK — not Exeed ECX itself.

ApplyRequest Programme Details Today

An MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a surprisingly versatile degree. While many people assume it only leads to a classroom, it actually opens doors across academia, corporate sectors, and international development.

Here is a breakdown of the primary career paths for graduates:

  • ESL/EFL Instructor
  • English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Specialist
  • University Lecturer
  • Corporate Language Trainer
  • Educational Consultant
  • Intercultural Communication Trainer
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Assessment Specialist
  • Textbook Author or Editor
  • Foreign Service/Diplomacy

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential, moving into Instructional Design or Educational Technology (EdTech) is a smart play right now. Companies building AI-driven language apps are constantly looking for people who actually understand the mechanics of second-language acquisition.

Teaching & Learning Approach

Interactive online learning

Applied projects and case-based assignments

Research-driven assessments

Practical business and industry scenarios

Continuous academic guidance and support

Assessment Method

Internally assessed modules

Criteria-based evaluation aligned with learning outcomes

Focus on assignments, projects, and applied research

No rote memorisation, emphasis on real-world skills

Who Should Enroll?

The decision to enroll in an MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program is usually a move toward professionalization. While a basic certificate (like a CELTA or TEFL) gets you into the classroom, the Master’s degree is what builds your career.

You should consider enrolling if you fall into one of these five categories:


The “Career Teacher”

The Aspiring Specialist

The Future Leader or Administrator

The Career Switcher

Fresh Graduates who want to strengthen their teaching capabilities.

Why a Master Program Adds Career Value

  • Develops strategic thinking and leadership skills

  • Opens pathways to senior and executive roles

  • Enhances global employability

  • Supports career progression and salary growth

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