Examine the theory and practice of English Language Teaching and deepen your understanding of broader education-related topics on this MA Education.

This pathway is suitable for teachers who have experience of, or interest in, the teaching of English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL). You will acquire knowledge and skills in second language acquisition, teaching methodology, broader educational studies and academic skills.

At the Institute of Education we recognise the uniqueness of every student and we address our teaching to suit your individual needs. Alongside your core modules, you will deepen your knowledge and understanding of broader education-related topics. The structure of the course gives you the opportunity to create and shape our programme to suit your needs and your personal career aspirations.

Our teaching is interactive, experiential and innovative. We utilise a wide variety of technologies to enhance your learning, including making use of presentation tools, interactive whiteboards, mixed media, social media and mobile technologies in our teaching and screen capture in assessment.

You tutors are internationally or nationally renowned and their research regularly has a direct impact on school curricula and learning techniques, both in the UK and abroad. As experts in their field, their research also directly informs the focus and content of your course, and you will benefit from the breadth of their expertise and backgrounds in educating and influencing policy.

Our academics are committed to high quality, world-class teaching and this is reflected in the awards they hold. Our academic community comprises 37 Fellows, Associate Fellows and Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a National Teaching Fellow.

Facilities

The Institute of Education is based in our historic London Road campus, which has undergone a £30 million refurbishment of the classical Oxford-cloistered quadrangle to create a dedicated world-class education centre.

We have created custom-built spaces for the teaching of specialist subjects, including: modern laboratories; musical studios, including an electronic drum kit room and a recording studio; well-equipped art studios and facilities for the practise of work in drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media; and studios for wet photography and printmaking, including silk-screen.

The Institute also houses an incredible collection of teaching and research resources, called the Learning Hub. A treasure trove for teachers and researchers, the Learning Hub contains every type of teaching aid imaginable for loan or for reference, from big books to puppets. A printing and binding facility, and technical equipment library are also available for your use.

Research

The quality of our research was recognised in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014), the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, which placed the Institute of Education in the top quartile of Education departments in the UK. Over 80% of our research publications were rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The impact of our research on educational policy and practice in first and second language education was judged to be world leading.

TESOL

If you wish to develop the relevant knowledge and skills in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and related linguistic areas, please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/english-language-and-applied-linguistics-pg/ma-teaching-english-to-speakers-of-other-languages-tesol.aspx