D6005 Master of TESOL

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundation studies, Part B. Core studies, and Part C. Applied studies.

Part A. Foundation studies

These studies will introduce you to contemporary issues in the study of education. They are intended for students who come into the course without previous qualifications in education or work experience in education-related fields. You will engage with academic traditions and scholarly practices in the field of education at the postgraduate level, become acquainted with a broad range of debates across education contexts and develop an understanding of complexities in the field.

Part B. Core studies

These core units present key theoretical frames to understand ideas and research conducted across a broad range of themes significant to the study of language education. The themes include language learners and learning, linguistically responsive teaching, critical issues in English language education, digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and bi/multilingualism. You will engage with research that responds to the themes and, as a result, advance your capacity to apply key concepts to a variety of English language learning experiences and education contexts. Units that focus on TESOL pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment and testing, and language and content integration in content-based programs, will deepen your knowledge of ideas and practices in TESOL, build your skills and enhance your ability to create effective, inclusive, and engaging language learning experiences.

Part C. Applied studies

The focus of these studies is professional inquiry, including work integrated learning. You will engage in professional practice to develop and upgrade the practical skills you need, to function in the field of TESOL in a variety of contexts. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to apply knowledge about language and learning that you have acquired through the course. You also have the opportunity to complete an internship unit within the adult EAL sector, gaining professional experience aligned with industry standards*. Applied studies studies may also include an independent research dimension requiring the knowledge and use of research principles.

*Enrolment in the internship unit is via competitive entry and is not available if you have been admitted at level 3 (48cp program).

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, Part B, Part C
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part B and Part C
• If you are admitted at entry level 3 you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part B*.

* If you wish to complete the work-integrated learning (WIL) units (EDF5697, EDF5698 and EDF5709 or EDF5710), you will undertake 36 credit points from Part B and 12 credit points from Part C.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies, you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 96 credit points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundation studies (24 credit points), Part B. Core studies (48 credit points) and Part C. Applied studies (24 credit points).

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation studies (24 credit points)

You must complete:

• EDF5610 Interacting with research in education contexts (12 credit points)

• EDF5611 Investigating education issues in global contexts (12 credit points)

Part B. Core studies (48 credit points)

You must complete:

• EDF5629 Critical issues in English language learning and teaching

• EDF5630 Pedagogy in TESOL

• EDF5631 Bi/multilingual education

• EDF5634 Language, technology and learning

• EDF5638 Linguistically informed teaching

• EDF5639 Integrating language and content in content-based programs

• EDF5643 Language assessment and testing

• EDF5644 Curriculum design and innovation in TESOL contexts

Part C. Applied studies (24 credit points)

You must complete Option 1, 2 or 3 below.

Option 1 Professional Placement

You must complete:

• EDF5697 Professional practice for teachers of TESOL A

• EDF5698 Professional practice for teachers of TESOL B

• EDF5709 Professional placement - teaching (0 credit points)  or

• EDF5710 Professional placement - observation (0 credit points)

You must also complete 12 credit points of approved level 5 units from selected Faculty of Education graduate coursework programs.

Option 2 Professional Internship 

You must complete:

• EDF5697 Professional practice for teachers of TESOL A

• EDF5698 Professional practice for teachers of TESOL B

• EDF5717 TESOL professional internship (12 credit points)*

*EDF5717 requires a minimum WAM of at least 75% and is subject to a successful interview. Students who complete EDF5717 do not complete an elective in Part C.

Option 3 Pathway to graduate research 

A pathway to graduate research is available through a competitive selection process. Achieving a minimum WAM of 80 in the units of this course is the minimum requirement for consideration; however, meeting this requirement does not guarantee admission to a graduate research program.

Students completing this pathway will need to make the following unit substitutions:

• EDF5613 Research approaches in education (12 credit points) to replace EDF5697 (6 credit points) and EDF5698 (6 credit points) (Part C)

• EDF5614 Research project in education (12 credit points) to replace 12 credit points of approved level 5 units from selected Faculty of Education graduate coursework programs (Part C)

• You are not required to take EDF5709 Professional placement - teaching (0 credit points) or EDF5710 Professional placement - observation (0 credit points) or EDF5717 Professional internship (12 credit points) if you are completing the research pathway

Please note:

• this pathway is not available at the point of entry

• your eligibility to undertake this pathway will be checked prior to the commencement of EDF5613

• if you are commencing at entry level 1 or 2, you must take the required two units in Part C of your studies

• the research pathway is not available if you have been admitted at level 3. If you have been admitted at level 3 and are interested in a research pathway you are encouraged to consider the D4004 Graduate Certificate of Educational Research.