MATESOL — Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Overview

Teaching English well is a profession, not a pastime. The MATESOL equips you with the linguistic knowledge, pedagogical frameworks and classroom judgement to teach English to multilingual learners — whether your students are young children, adult professionals, refugees, university-bound scholars or online learners scattered across time zones.

2 yrs

Blended graduate study with flexible online and onsite components

12

Specialist TESOL courses plus supervised practicum and capstone

US degree

Awarded in partnership with Westcliff University (WSCUC-accredited)

What you learn

Applied linguistics, second-language acquisition, TESOL methodology, lesson and curriculum design, language assessment, pronunciation and grammar teaching, reading and writing instruction, and educational technology — grounded in live classroom practice.

Who it's for

New and practising English teachers, language-school instructors, university tutors and education professionals who want to teach with evidence-based methods and move into coordination, training or international roles.

How you teach

You progress from theory to supervised practice: designing lessons, observing mentor teachers, piloting materials, assessing learners, running a full practicum and completing an original capstone research project.

Curriculum

Twelve courses organised across three graduate terms, from the linguistic and theoretical foundations of language learning through to supervised teaching practice and independent research. Select a term to explore the courses.

Term I — Foundations Term II — Methodology & Design Term III — Practice & Research

Foundations of Linguistics

Core concepts in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. How linguistic analysis informs the teacher's understanding of what students are actually learning when they learn English.

Second Language Acquisition

Theories and evidence on how learners acquire additional languages — from input, interaction and output to individual differences in age, motivation and context. Connects research directly to classroom decisions.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Language, identity and intercultural competence in the multilingual classroom. Teachers learn to navigate cultural difference and build inclusive environments where learners of every background can succeed.

Teaching Grammar in Context

Communicative approaches to grammar instruction that move beyond rule-recitation. Techniques for presenting, practising and assessing grammatical structures meaningfully in real tasks.

TESOL Methodology

Principled approaches to planning and delivering English lessons — from task-based and communicative methods to content-based instruction and flipped classrooms. Grounded in a decade of classroom research.

Curriculum Design & Materials

How to design coherent language curricula: setting objectives, sequencing content, evaluating coursebooks and building or adapting your own teaching materials for specific learner groups.

Assessment in Language Teaching

Formative and summative assessment, rubric design, test validity and fairness, and how to interpret standardised proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) to guide instruction and give learners useful feedback.

Teaching Pronunciation

Practical techniques for teaching segmentals, word stress, connected speech and intonation. Emphasises intelligibility over accent elimination, with activities adapted to mixed-L1 classrooms.

Teaching Reading & Writing

Evidence-based strategies for developing second-language literacy — from extensive reading and process writing to genre-based pedagogy and academic writing support for university-bound learners.

Technology in Language Education

Using learning platforms, corpora, AI tools and multimedia for synchronous, asynchronous and blended instruction. Critical evaluation of edtech claims through the lens of second-language research.

Practicum (Teaching Practice)

Supervised classroom placement with a mentor teacher. Candidates plan, deliver and reflect on a sustained sequence of lessons, producing a documented portfolio of teaching artefacts and observations.

Capstone Research Project

An original, advisor-supervised research study on a TESOL question of the candidate's choice — typically classroom-based action research, materials evaluation or a small-scale empirical study.

Faculty voice

"Teaching a language is not transmitting rules — it is opening a door through which another human being can meet the world. Our job is to make that door wide, bright and navigable." — MATESOL Programme Faculty, Westcliff University partnership

Career opportunities

MATESOL graduates work across schools, universities, publishing houses, ministries of education and online platforms — in Italy, Europe, North America, Asia and the Gulf. The Westcliff degree is recognised in the United States and internationally.

University ESL Faculty

Instructor or lecturer roles teaching academic English at universities, foundation programmes and EAP centres worldwide.

Language School Director

Academic management in private language schools: curriculum oversight, teacher supervision and programme quality.

Teacher Trainer

Leading in-service and pre-service training for English teachers in schools, ministries and international organisations.

Curriculum Designer

Designing language syllabi, coursebooks and digital materials for publishers, edtech companies and education authorities.

EAP Specialist

Teaching English for Academic Purposes and discipline-specific English (ESP) in universities and professional programmes.

Online English Instructor

Synchronous and asynchronous teaching on global online-learning platforms, with scope for course authorship and leadership.

Ready to apply?

1

Enquire

Request information and speak with an admissions advisor about your background.

2

Apply

Submit transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and proof of English proficiency.

3

Interview

Short admissions interview with faculty to confirm fit and teaching interests.

4

Enrol

Receive your offer, confirm enrolment and begin your MATESOL journey.

Start your application

Frequently asked questions

Is the MATESOL accredited and recognised internationally?

The MATESOL is awarded in partnership with Westcliff University, a US institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The degree is recognised in the United States and is widely accepted by employers and further-study programmes internationally.

Is the programme online, onsite, or blended?

The MATESOL is delivered in blended mode. Most coursework is completed online through live and asynchronous sessions, with intensive onsite components at Unicollege campuses and a supervised in-person (or approved local) practicum.

Do I need a teaching license to enrol?

No. A teaching license is not required for admission. The MATESOL is a specialist graduate qualification in TESOL; whether it leads to licensure in your jurisdiction depends on local regulations, which admissions advisors can discuss with you.

What prerequisites are required?

A bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, demonstrated proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent for non-native speakers), a statement of purpose and supporting documents. Prior teaching experience is welcomed but not required.

How does the practicum work?

The practicum is a supervised teaching placement in a real classroom — at a partner language school, university programme or approved institution — where you plan, deliver and reflect on lessons under the guidance of a mentor teacher and Unicollege faculty supervisor.

What career outcomes can I expect?

Graduates progress to roles as university ESL faculty, academic directors of language schools, teacher trainers, curriculum designers, EAP and ESP specialists, and online English instructors. The degree also supports further doctoral study in education (EdD).