You'll be taught through a range of lectures, seminars and workshops, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and transferable skills.
Creative teaching methods
Lectures
Core modules are taught via lectures, giving you the opportunity to learn a range of disciplines alongside your course mates.
Seminars
Optional modules are taught to smaller groups, so you can interact and share your knowledge, speaking about aspects of your study and discuss and debate the things you are learning about.
Presentations
You'll get the opportunity to share your work with your peers, develop your communication skills and enjoy a collaborative environment.
Placements
The community you will join extends beyond the University, and includes opportunities for students to take up internships with the British Council in London and to carry out placements with local language teaching providers. You also may wish to spend time with a local media organisation, or newspaper, the choice is yours.
MA TESOL modules
You'll have core modules in second language learning principles, foundations of language study, research design methods, and academic practices in applied linguistics, with a range of optional modules.
MA Applied Linguistics modules
You'll have core modules in second language learning principles, sociolinguistics and approaches to discourse analysis, with the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules.
At the University of Reading, I have found a congenial atmosphere of learning, quality education, and lots of opportunities to excel in my career. It is a home from home with its friendly environment of diverse cultures collaborating together, which helps your dreams come true."
Ilgor Asrorov, Uzbekistan, MA Applied Linguistics
MA TESOL: Portfolio Track
Watch this video to find out why Eunhee Lee selected to follow the Portfolio Track of her MA TESOL and why she chose to study at the University of Reading.
Assessment
Assessment of taught modules is mainly through assignments such as essays and research projects. This will help you to develop the ability to evaluate source material, to relate theory to practice, and to think of new ways to address key issues and solve problems.
Two core modules on each course are assessed by examination.
The programme includes either a dissertation, in which you'll plan and execute an original research project under the guidance of a supervisor, or a teaching portfolio in which you design teaching approaches and materials and reflect on their teaching practices.
Two core modules on each course are assessed by examination.
The programme includes either a dissertation, in which you'll plan and execute an original research project under the guidance of a supervisor, or a teaching portfolio in which you design teaching approaches and materials and reflect on their teaching practices.
Events and activities
As soon as you arrive you will have the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people through a series of Welcome Week events.
Throughout your time here at Reading you will have the chance to participate in a range of social and scholarly activities in the Department such as seminars, conferences, and informal gatherings with classmates and lecturers.
You can take part in the Staff/Student Committees and provide us with valuable feedback about your learning experience.
Why study with us?
You will be taught by experts in applied linguistics and language education, who are known for their research in their specialties.
Our Department is in the top 150 worldwide for English Language and Literature (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
Satomi Suzuki
Satomi has recently been nominated by the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics for the British Council’s Master’s Dissertation Award programme.
Life in the Department
Develop your ideas and nurture your creativity with first-hand guidance from expert academics and experienced professionals.