MA/PgDip TESOL and Applied Linguistics

Career Prospects

Graduates of this course frequently go on to work as English language teachers, directors of studies and education managers in schools, colleges and universities.  Employers of our previous graduates include the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester, various other universities across the globe, state schools, private language schools, further education colleges, education agencies. Some students may go on to further study by research (MPhil), or a doctorate (PhD).

Alumni Profile

Helena Stakounis  

Having had a few years teaching practice, I decided I needed to have a higher qualification to support my practical experience.

I found that the course content was well balanced between theory and practical information, which it meant that I could also take some of the ideas and teaching methods of the teachers to use in my own teaching practice. What I liked most was that the classes were always interactive, which meant that I was able to increase my confidence in the classroom, speaking in front of others and interacting with people of different nationalities. The University of Salford provided me with a great network of international friends, which has later enabled me to begin my own language school, The Language Café, http://www.languagecafe.co.uk/

As I had taught before the course, the classes enabled me to fill the gaps in my knowledge of the theories of teaching and be able to understand the reasons behind why we use certain techniques and methods in the classroom. Now, when I teach, I am able to provide my students with tips and advice for studying language, safe in the knowledge that the information I am giving them is backed up by the language learning science I learned while doing the MA. I can safely say that the information, techniques, skills and confidence I gained during the TESOL course I use every single day in my teaching practice.  

I would and always do recommend this course to anyone who asks about it. The experience with Salford was the complete package for me and was the springboard for me really launching my career.

Industry Links

Staff in the TESOL team have strong links with several professional teaching organisations, including English UK, BALEAP (British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes), IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) and NATESOL (Northern Association for Teachers of English as a Second or Other Language). We have been the venue for several NATESOL sessions and student attendance at these professional-development seminars is encouraged throughout the year.

Further Study

Our TESOL researchers have particular interest and expertise in the fields of technology in language education, English for Academic Purposes, issues in language teaching methodology, the learning and teaching of grammar, individual differences and language learning.  

Research students benefit from our extensive expertise in Linguistics, and research activity is organised and supported within the Centre for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, which offers opportunities for postgraduate research.  We provide a stimulating environment for research in a wide range of subjects across the field, and encourage synergies between linguistics and related disciplines, particularly interdisciplinary research in linguistics and translation studies and in linguistics and language pedagogy. http://www.salford.ac.uk/humanities/research/centre-for-linguistics-and-applied-linguistics