MA in English Language Teaching (ELT)
1 year full time / 2 years part time
The focus of the programme is on the theoretical and practical issues that impact on the teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and English as a Second Language (TESL/TESOL). The MA is designed to give an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of current theories and research in language acquisition, as well as developing an understanding of the linguistic, theoretical and practical issues of classroom practice.
The programme provides the opportunity to undertake teaching practice as well as to evaluate conceptual and practical frameworks, enabling students to reflect on language, language teaching methodology and other issues related to their potential future professional roles, and to the wider educational and social context.
The MA in ELT is aimed at both experienced language teaching professionals worldwide and those with little or no language teaching experience. Course options, seminar groups and teaching practice are organised to reflect students' previous experience and interests. The programme consists of six components: three mandatory taught courses, a choice of option courses and a dissertation, along with a course in ELT research methods. The mandatory taught courses are: Language Description and Analysis, Language Acquisition, and Principles and Practice in English Language Teaching. Some courses are taught with students from the MA in Applied Linguistics. Course details
The MA ELT is suitable if you have:
- Bachelor degree (equivalent to a UK 2:1) in a relevant discipline
- IELTS 7.0 (with no component below 6.5) for students whose first language is not English.
Our MA may be attractive if you have an interest in:
- English teaching - either privately, or in a school, college, university or language school
- Educational management as a senior teacher, principal or owner / manager
- Teacher training
- ELT publishing or media
- Research or doctoral study
Student profile
In 2009/10 there were 25 students on the MA programme from 10 different countries (11 UK; 14 EU/International).
Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching
This programme is also available, consisting of the MA courses without the dissertation and research methods elements.
Information on Postgraduate research for DPhil (PhD) applicants
Successful graduates from the MA in English Language Teaching are now teachers of English around the world, teacher educators or lecturers. Others have gone on to take doctoral research degrees both at Sussex and at other universities in areas related to ELT, applied linguistics, and language pedagogy.
DPhil students may be supervised in conjunction with faculty in the Schools of English or Education, depending on their area of ELT research, and are part of the wider Doctoral School at Sussex. Applications for both MA and DPhil study (1+3 years) are welcome.
See our Research pages for more information, research interests and to read about current doctoral students.
