TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

TESOL refers to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a term that has replaced TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). The course is particularly beneficial if students are planning to go on to do a PGCE or pursue a teaching-related career. With the approval of their home College, students at the University of Exeter can take a series of optional modules in TESOL at INTO University of Exeter (15 credit module in year 1 and 30 credit modules in year 2 & final year). Whilst most students choose to do TESOL over the three years, it is possible to do any module as a stand-alone option at the appropriate level. It is not essential to have studied TESOL at Level 1 if you would like to study it at Level 2.

Teaching and assessment

TESOL is a taught module which requires 100% attendance and full participation in group situations. There is some commitment outside the timetabled input sessions for classroom observations, teaching practice and contact with international students. A wide variety of assessment types are used in order to help students develop transferable skills and enhance their employability. There are no final exams and all course work is submitted before the beginning of the third term.

TESOL modules

Level 1 module

ELC1801

At this level, there is a teaching practice (peer teaching) with the focus on developing classroom presence and classroom management skills and an assignment that involves the preparation of a lesson plan and justification (1,500 words).

Full module specification

Level 2 module

ELC2800

At this level, in term 1 there is a practically based task: peer teaching a grammar item and an assessed teaching practice of a lessonwith international students. In the second term the work revolves around a major assignment: learner profile. For this you will teach three one-to-one lessons with an international student and assess their strengths and weaknesses in order to make recommendations for further study. This will then be written up as a 3,000 word assignment.

Full module description

Level 3 module

ELC3800

At this level, in term 1 you will observe lessons taught by experienced teachers in an English Language Teaching context and keep an observation journal including a 1,000-word reflective essay. A major component of term 2 is your teaching practice. This will involve designing and team teaching a series of current issues lessons for a group of international students using authentic materials. There is also a 3,000 word assignment which involves examining your beliefs about teaching and learning and combining experience with theory.

Full module specification

Contact

Emma Sweeney	TESOL Programme Manager	E.K.Sweeney@exeter.ac.uk
Jeanette Lewin	TESOL Coordinator	J.Lewin@exeter.ac.uk

Please contact Jeanette before registering to discuss which module is most suitable for you.