Master of Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Indicative student workload
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Alternative exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences

Course overview

As global interconnectivity continues to expand, so too does the need for English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers, whose vital impact can be seen across all levels of society, whether it’s in bettering business, diversifying education, or improving community wellbeing.

Study a Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and get equipped with the teaching skills and critical knowledge to lead non-native speakers to English mastery.

Your teaching qualifications could also help you secure higher-level roles both in Australia and abroad. Deakin’s Master of TESOL is internationally recognised and taught by experts with global experience in the field.

Want to expand your career options and personal impact, both domestically and internationally?

This course takes an interactive, problem-based approach to teaching, allowing you to develop practical skills that translate directly to the classroom. It also focuses on research-led learning, ensuring course content is evidence based, and the skills you learn reflect the modern challenges of the field. Key study areas include:

• principles and approaches to TESOL, including curriculum design and evaluation
• the structure of the English language and how to analyse features of written and spoken text
• linguistic and pedagogical aspects of language learning
• how languages are learned and in what contexts
• contemporary issues relating to language curriculum development.

In addition, you’ll explore the structural and cultural barriers new speakers face when learning English and learn how to help your students navigate them.

For students who are interested in furthering their knowledge, the course offers a research component that may comprise a pathway to a PhD.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.

Professional recognition

This course will be recognised as professional development towards TESOL as a specialist teaching area.

Career opportunities

With a deeper understanding of the linguistic, cultural and pedagogical aspects of language learning, you’ll graduate as a self-motivated, well-equipped and culturally aware language teacher.

As a graduate of this course you will be equipped to pursue roles such as EAL teacher, head of EAL learning, or EAL curriculum designer and adviser, across a range of public and private learning institutions.

Note: this degree does not qualify students to work within school settings as a registered teacher in Australia. Students who wish to gain teacher accreditation should consider the Master of Teacher (Primary or Secondary) and the Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary).

For more information go to 'DeakinTALENT'

Participation requirements

Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work-integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.

Successful applicants who undertake the unit ETL706 are required to hold a valid Australian Teacher registration with an Australian State or Territory teacher regulatory authority or a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to undertaking professional experience placements in education settings, as part of this course. For more information see: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course. 

The Working with Children Check (Check) and a Police Check are different checks. Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (the Act) if you are doing child-related work and are not exempt, you must have a Check even if you already have a Police Check. The Police Check is not an assessment by a government agency. https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/organisations/victorian-teacher-information

Alternative exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, students must attain 8 credit points.

The course comprises a total of 8 credit points including:

• 6 credit points of core units [EDX701, EDX707, ETL700, ETL705, ETL713, ETL716]
• 2 credit point chosen from the course electives [ETL704, ETL706, ETL711]
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Course Electives List A

Select 2 credit points from:

Work experience

Opportunities for work-integrated learning are provided through the professional placement unit [ETL706] which is available as a course elective to students who are eligible for teacher registration in Australia.

Course duration - additional information

Delays in completing the research project could mean that the course will take longer to complete than the stated duration.

International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.

Alternative exit - additional information

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (E604) may be a useful exit point for those not wishing to complete a full Masters of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This is an eight-point course consisting of the four units of the Graduate Certificate (E504) plus four core units from the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Students with an existing registration for primary or secondary teaching in Australia can gain professional recognition for TESOL as a specialist teaching method area, and will receive RPL for the four units from E504 based on teaching experience.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

The professional placement unit [ETL706] is available as a course elective to students who are eligible for teacher registration in Australia.