MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL, PGDip, PGCert, im Fernstudium

If you already have at least one year’s TESOL experience, our MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (distance learning) will broaden and deepen your understanding of linguistics and its application to language learning and teaching. Explore how English works and how to analyse it. Choose optional modules that align with your professional interests and boost your career options. Join a thriving community of professional ELF teachers and learn with comprehensive, research-informed module materials.

The MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL (distance learning) is for experienced English language teachers who want to build on their existing knowledge and skills and expand their professional horizons. You will study a wide range of advanced topics which broaden and deepen your understanding of core areas of linguistics and how they apply to language learning and teaching. You will explore language structure and language use in some depth and learn to analyse language in context, using a range of up-to-date research methods.

You can customise your degree towards your own professional interests and career goals through your choice of option modules and dissertation topics. The Research Methods and Dissertation module (with an assessed proposal) equips you with the skills necessary to conduct a small-scale research study and builds a solid foundation for those who want to go on to doctoral studies.

We recognise the demands of working and studying at the same time. For that reason, our distance learning course is structured to provide you with the support you need and allow you to study flexibly and offer the option to take breaks in your studies (if you need to). Your course tutors are highly experienced ELT professionals who are also internationally recognized academic experts in their research fields. This course combines their expert subject knowledge and their extensive experience in distance and online learning.

You will learn in a supportive, collaborative, online environment with your fellow students and staff, through a range of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including online lectures, live webinars and moderated discussion boards. Your personal and module tutors give you individualised academic support and our distance learning study team provides further expert advice and guidance throughout your studies.

What's the difference?

For the MA you will complete all core modules and two optional modules, plus a dissertation. For the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) you will complete all core modules plus two of the optional modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you will complete two out of three core modules.

Why Leicester?

• Learn from tutors with international reputations and expertise in researching and developing ELT teachers’ reflective practices.
• One of the first distance learning providers of an MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, our course is developed by academic staff highly experienced in distance learning.
• Tailor your degree according to your interests and professional needs with optional modules.
• Choose a topic to explore in more depth with a dissertation completed under the guidance of your supervisor.

Teaching and learning

We understand most of our students are combining academic study with work or other external commitments, so the course structure offers the flexibility to study at your own pace, while also providing structure and opportunities to work with fellow students and staff. Studying by distance learning also has the benefit of allowing you to develop your career without having to leave employment. It also means you can apply new knowledge and insights into your working life as you study.

When you start your degree, you will be allocated a personal tutor (usually for the duration of the course), who works with you on a one-to-one basis, supporting you with your studies and helping to plan your assignments. The module convenors and e-moderators also provide expert guidance on individual modules, through formative online activities, moderated module discussions and live webinars. The course content has been developed by our expert academic staff who also teach our campus-based courses. It is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, and includes a wide range of learning materials and resources incorporating the affordances of educational technology, such as recorded lectures, podcasts, collaborative activities through tools such as padlet and wikis and annotated e-reading lists. We also use Teams for our live, interactive events such as webinars or research talks. Through these activities, you will have the opportunity to join a supportive interactive web-based community of fellow students around the world.

As well as all the resources in Blackboard, you will have access to the University’s digital library which includes a wide range of e-journals and e-books. You are also welcome to come and use our campus library and other facilities any time you can come to Leicester. You will also have the support of specialised staff in the University Library’s distance learning service who can arrange postal loans for books.

Learning support

Who can you turn to when you have questions or need support?

• Personal tutor (for the taught modules and general support)
• Supervisor (for the dissertation)
• Module convenor (for each module)
• Student advisors (throughout the programme)
• Programme leader (throughout the programme)
• University counselling and welfare service (when you need it)

Powered by world-class research, the University of Leicester delivers research-inspired education across the Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, the Arts and Business, with staff and students collaborating to create, share and apply knowledge to change the world. It is a world-leading, diverse and inclusive university based in the UK’s most multicultural city.

Whether you choose to study full-time on campus, or part-time via distance learning, through your studies and independent research you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to pursue your passion and enhance your career options.

The University of Leicester is a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023) and is proud to be one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Our research changes the way we think about the past, present and future. As a discovery-led University, we are elite in the excellence of our research, as well as being focused on innovation. Research underpins all of our taught postgraduate courses so you can be sure that the knowledge you’re learning, and skills you’re developing, are at the forefront of available knowledge.

Why Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research and teaching university with more than 30 years of experience offering high-quality distance learning courses. Over 25,000 Citizens of Change have graduated from our distance learning courses. We invite you to be the next one.

Unlike some distance learning providers, our distance learning courses are taught by the same academic staff who teach our undergraduates and postgraduates on campus. You are assured of a real university education and a real university qualification.

Each of our distance learning courses is tailored to the subject, level and requirements of our students. Some courses even include residential visits or workshops.

Supporting our students

As a Leicester distance learning student, you have full access to the same student support services as our on-campus students. This includes the Students’ Union which has a dedicated Distance Learning Officer who makes sure that your views and needs are considered in Union affairs. The Distance Learning Officer is elected each year – maybe you could be the next one?

Library

You will have access to the Library’s comprehensive online catalogue containing thousands of electronic journals and over 350,000 books. This includes the Leicester Research Archive, a digital collection of research papers and theses from members of the University.

As a Leicester student, you will be able to access the online catalogue and download these resources free of charge - wherever you are in the world. You are, of course, welcome to come onto campus and use our Library facilities at any time.

Career Development Service

For most distance-learning students, career advancement is a prime motivating factor. Our Career Development Service will offer you guidance and support throughout your studies – and beyond. The Career Development Service offers:

• Online tools and individually tailored advice to help you extend and develop your academic skills
• Employability programmes and awards including the online version of our Leicester Award
• A wide selection of one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing and CVs, covering letters and application forms
• Links with employers to discover the career paths that are open to you

Graduation – and beyond

As a distance learning student, you are welcome to campus at any time. We would love to meet you in person, though obviously, this is dependent on where you live. It is particularly gratifying when distance learning students are able to visit campus to take part in our graduation ceremonies, celebrating their academic achievement in the best way possible.

As part of our global alumni family, you can maintain links with the University through our Alumni Association, which has chapters around the world.