Why choose the School of Education and English
Practical classroom experience with observed and assessed teaching practice using up-to-the-minute simulation technology.
Opportunities to put your skills into action supporting refugees and asylum seekers with free English classes.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ ranks in the UK top 10 for skills development; we rank UK 29th overall.
About the course
This Master’s is designed for both native speakers and non-native speakers with a high level of English. You explore the relationship between linguistics and second-language learning; the methodology and techniques of language teaching; and current issues in English language teaching. The course provides practical classroom experience with observed and assessed teaching practice. On successful completion, you gain TEFL Q status, signifying you are fully qualified in British Council terms.
Course accreditation / industry endorsement
We have designed this course to follow British Council regulations, enabling you to gain a TEFL Q status when you graduate. TEFL Q status indicates you are a fully qualified TESOL/TEFL teacher.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Teacher Education Centre with realistic mock classrooms supported by advanced ICT resources
- Up-to-the-minute simulation technology
- Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting
Industry links
We work in partnership with local councils, schools and colleges to support refugees and asylum seekers with free English classes; our students also support parents of school children with free ESOL classes.
Your student experience
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ at our Bedford campus, a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well and provide individual academic support.
Learn from an academic team who are from the education sector, offering a wide range of professional expertise; all hold TEFL Q status.
Explore your research interests in applied linguistics and TESOL including second-language acquisition, materials development, and language assessment and testing.
Our Centre for English as a Foreign Language (CEFL) has been accredited by the British Council for their work in teaching English.
Benefit from the expertise of our Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA) whose research is recognised as world leading by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
Course Leader - Dr Claudia Saraceni
I have been working at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (formerly ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Luton) since 1994 teaching various modules such as Italian Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics and TEFL as well as Language Acquisition and Stylistics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I have been involved in English Language Teacher Training and Applied Linguistics for more than 20 years and I am now also managing, and teaching the MA Applied Linguistics TESOL.
Course Leader - Dr Claudia Saraceni
I have been working at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (formerly ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Luton) since 1994 teaching various modules such as Italian Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics and TEFL as well as Language Acquisition and Stylistics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I have been involved in English Language Teacher Training and Applied Linguistics for more than 20 years and I am now also managing, and teaching the MA Applied Linguistics TESOL.
Course Leader - Dr Claudia Saraceni
I have been working at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (formerly ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Luton) since 1994 teaching various modules such as Italian Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics and TEFL as well as Language Acquisition and Stylistics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I have been involved in English Language Teacher Training and Applied Linguistics for more than 20 years and I am now also managing, and teaching the MA Applied Linguistics TESOL.
Course Leader - Dr Claudia Saraceni
I have been working at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (formerly ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ of Luton) since 1994 teaching various modules such as Italian Language and Literature, Applied Linguistics and TEFL as well as Language Acquisition and Stylistics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I have been involved in English Language Teacher Training and Applied Linguistics for more than 20 years and I am now also managing, and teaching the MA Applied Linguistics TESOL.
Exploring research: concepts and methods – Gain the background knowledge and skills to design a small-scale research project; analyse data; and write up your findings.
The methodology of language teaching – Explore key theories behind language teaching methods and how to apply them when designing effective teaching materials.
Issues in second language acquisition – Show strong theoretical understanding of ELT/SLA issues and make the link between those issues and the practice of TESOL.
Materials development for language teaching and learning – Develop L2 materials for language teaching and learning development, classroom practice and research.
The language system and language teaching – Build your understanding of language systems like phonology, grammar and lexis, and apply them in your teaching practice.
Teaching practice – Complete observed and assessed English language teaching, with an additional focus on developing your digital skills.
Dissertation – Carry out a significant piece of original research in an area of interest relevant to applied linguistics and language teaching and learning.
For an at-a-glance list of modules for this course, download the course specification.
The purpose of assessment is to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate the extent of their knowledge and skills at a given point. The outcomes are as important to the provider as it is to the student. To provide accurate, global readings therefore, the course takes an incremental and varied approach to the assessment of the course content, culminating in the dissertation. This is a substantial piece of original research on an aspect of Applied Linguistics TESOL, but whose precise focus is determined by each student, and according to their anticipated career plans. Here, the ability to plan, execute and evaluate independent research is assessed and represents the apex of a student's postgraduate studies.
To complement and lead up to the dissertation, there are different types of assessment on the course, each designed to relate to the content and the cumulative body of knowledge upon which the research plans of the dissertation are based. The types of assessment include: essays and reports, in-class tests conducted under examination conditions, practical tasks (eg questionnaire design, test item construction) case studies, assignments, and presentations.
The assessment methods have been selected to support the pedagogical development of research skills and subject knowledge, and to satisfy individual unit, and global course learning outcomes. The details of each assignment task are provided in the unit handbooks and individual Unit Information Forms. The overall assessment map is available in the course handbook. Each point of assessment provides opportunities for valuable feedback from teachers but also from peers to enable students to review and improve their work.
Careers
On successful completion, you achieve Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Q status, meeting British Council standards and meaning you are qualified to teach EFL in the UK and internationally.
The course could also be a route to progression for developers of educational materials; assessment and examination/test paper writers; and researchers in applied linguistics.
A considerable number of our graduates have gone on to follow a PhD project with our staff and with the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA), and some are currently employed by the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ as visiting lecturers in EFL.
Graduates of this course have shown themselves to be highly competent and professional in whatever they have gone on to do.
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
