English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics MA

Study level: Postgraduate
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This master’s course aims to provide specialist professional development for English Language Teaching (ELT).

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time (UK only)
Up to 2 years full-time (with professional experience)

Course code

AHT024

Start date

January 2025
May 2025


Course overview

The course includes a wide variety of assessment tasks and the opportunity for you to select your own dissertation topic on a subject that is relevant to your teaching context.

We aim to offer you the opportunity to take part in study trips2. In recent years, we have run 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 of Shakespeare’s language on modern English.

The course also engages with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchanges, with collaborators you may visit during your international study trip2.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • Past students have valued the level of academic and pastoral care offered by staff, the variety of assessment tasks on the course, the research-informed teaching and the introduction of the TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) into the degree. The extracurricular opportunities2 made available have also been well received.
  • We aim to recruit staff that are experts in their field, publish regularly, are external examiners in other universities and have a national and international profile. Staff will encourage you to engage with them in scholarly activities and become part of the academic communities of practice in the School of Humanities, this has included research on how to integrate informal online learning platforms into the ELT curriculum and innovative language learning applications (apps) design (staff are subject to change).
  • This course offers a unique mix of theory and practice and our students are often from a diverse range of countries. You’ll be encouraged to share good and innovative practices and reflect on your own learning and teaching context, in an active and inclusive way.

Accreditation and professional recognition

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to obtain a vocational qualification Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) in Managing the Learning Process, awarded by the Cambridge Assessment, which is fully integrated and is part of the course. This TKT qualification1 is recognised in over 60 countries in the world. Students who already have CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) or DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) will be given Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for it.

Collaborations with other organisations

Confucius Institute

The School of Humanities is home to the Confucius Institute. This is a collaboration created with Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, which aims to promote an understanding of the Chinese language and culture.


What you'll study

Distinctive features of this course can include:

  • the links between theory and practice
  • an emphasis on the integration of new technologies in language learning and teaching
  • a task-based/problem-based approach to language learning and teaching
  • varied and innovative assessment tasks
  • high quality pastoral and academic support
  • an innovative approach to the internationalisation of the curriculum through COIL initiatives
  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and ELT study trips2, both national and international.

This course offers 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.

Modules

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee3, which for 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2,666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching methods include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Presentations
  • Group projects
  • Workshops

The university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second semesters, dropping to around three contact hours per week in the third and final semester as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

  • The course includes the opportunity to take part in optional study trips2. The aim of any such trip is to discuss intercultural and context-specific issues relating to English Language Teaching with our domestic and international collaborators.
  • The course also engages with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchanges, with the collaborators the students may visit during their international study trip2.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

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

The course is open to both experienced teachers and 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.

Speak to one of our advisers today for more information regarding specific requirements.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Grade equivalent to a minimum grade of 2:2 or above and proficiency in English equivalent to 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and at least 5.5 in each component.

The course is open to both experienced teachers and 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.

English language requirements

  • 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.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Speak to one of our advisers today for more information regarding specific requirements.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)   Request fee information
EU £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a dedicated environment4.

Delia Derbyshire building

Delia Derbyshire Building

The Delia Derbyshire complex offers more space to learn, design and make, including a hyper-studio for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.

 

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The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.

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George Eliot building

Named after one of the leading writers of the Victorian age, the George Eliot building is the city centre home of English studies at Coventry University. Mingle with like minded students, cross the Edible Garden campus to relax at the Hub, or take the few minutes walk to immerse yourself in books at the Lanchester library.


Careers and opportunities

Upon 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.

There is a steady 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 the English Language, such as education management, academic consultancy, journalism, information management and human resources, among others.

Recognised the world over as evidence of advanced skills and knowledge, a master's degree can assist you to secure professional advancement.

Where our graduates work

Graduates from this course have gone on to establish either teaching or education management careers both in the UK (e.g. lecturer at Coventry University and a Pre-sessional Associate Director for CU Services Ltd) and overseas (e.g. lecturers at universities in Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Jordan, India, Bahrain, Pakistan and China, and an Academic Coordinator for IvyPrep Education in Vietnam).

You may also wish to continue your studies at PhD level (subject to meeting the relevant entry criteria such as obtaining a merit mark and having the appropriate IELTS score for PhD studies).


How to apply

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