University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 3 semesters (1 year)
Course city: Gold Coast
English language teachers are in demand across the world and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an exciting and rewarding career! Bond’s Master of Arts (TESOL) program equips graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English as a Second Language anywhere in the world.
A Test Drive gives you the opportunity take a postgraduate degree for a spin and sample what your student experience would be like at Bond. Come and talk to us about your career goals and how we can tailor a journey to help you achieve them.
Our Master of TESOL programs offer something different. Hear from our TESOL students, graduates & academics as to what they believe makes our program unique
A key benefit of studying A Master of Arts (TESOL) at Bond is the fully accredited ELICOS language centre located right on campus, Bond University College. Under the supervision, tutelage and mentorship of our highly qualified and internationally experienced teachers, our TESOL students find it beneficial to undertake the practical component of their course on campus, at Bond University College.
The Bond TESOL difference means that students will receive a personalised learning experience, in small class sizes, working with like-minded individuals from all over the world, who bring a truly international flavour to the classroom. The friendships formed often lead to industry contacts and introductions overseas. Our graduates tell us that this combination of practical experience, international perspective and contacts put them way ahead of the competition when it comes to applying for teaching positions.
With internationalisation revolutionising education globally, the ability to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms is no longer needed only by teachers of English as a Second Language. Being able to work with diverse student cohorts has become essential for all teachers, at all levels of education. The Master of Arts (TESOL) develops knowledge and skills necessary for teaching English as a Second or Additional Language and for working in diverse classrooms in varied educational contexts, in Australia and internationally. The Program equips prospective and experienced teachers with knowledge and skills necessary for working in an increasingly globalised world. Prospective teachers develop abilities for starting a new career. For the current teachers, the TESOL program provides an opportunity for professional development and for extending their specialised qualifications.
The Master of Arts (TESOL) has two components: theoretical and practical. The Program involves the completion of 12 subjects which (1) develop theoretical knowledge of second language teaching and learning and (2) provide opportunities for teacher trainees to apply these theories in a language classroom. (1) The first component allows the students to engage in synchronous and asynchronous online activities, focusing on the principles of teaching and learning a second/additional language, linking theories with their classroom applications and developing a personalised philosophy and practical approach to classroom teaching. Students explore many applied linguistics fields relevant for teaching and gain knowledge on themes such as how languages work, how language functions in a society or how language learning progresses. They learn a wide range of practical skills such as how to be effective teachers in traditional and online classrooms, how to plan effective and exciting lessons, or how to design valid assessment instruments, language curricula or exciting digital resources for learning. (2) The second, practical component, involves students in an approximately 30-hour Practicum, during which they observe other professionals in action and teach for the minimum of 6 hours under their supervision. The Practicum is organised at Bond University College, an ELT Centre located on the Bond University Gold Coast campus. If students are unable to complete their Practicum at Bond University College, it is their responsibility to secure the placement in another ELT centre. Depending on prior qualifications and individual arrangements, students organise their Practicum in schools or other ELT Centres, with many teachers completing it at the place of their current employment.
Students have an opportunity to work with a lecturer and peers in a virtual classroom, in the weekly interactive and collaborative online tutorials. These sessions, although not compulsory, provide a unique opportunity for being part of a dynamic learning community. Students also engage in self-paced learning through pre-recorded and post-recorded resources and gamified learning activities.
Domestic and international students can commence their studies in the Master of Arts (TESOL) in the January, May or September semester and Domestic students can choose to study part-time. The full-time study consists of four subject enrolments. It is estimated that, on average, you will need to spend approximately 10 hours per week, per subject, in order to successfully complete it. Students who are in employment are, therefore, advised to undertake their studies part-time, particularly in their first semester of study.
The Master of Arts (TESOL) program provides language teacher education in teaching and learning English as a Second/Additional Language. The program aims to prepare prospective teachers of English as a Second Language for their future career and to assist current TESOL teachers in extending their professional knowledge. Subject contents cover theoretical aspects of language, language teaching, language acquisition and the practical applications of these in language teaching. The Master of Arts (TESOL) prepares teachers for the international career in the diverse global world.
The program prepares students for work in diverse educational contexts. Our graduates teach English as a Second/Additional Language at all levels, from primary to tertiary, across the globe. In Australia, the program is designed to meet the teaching standard of ELICOS, university language institutes and other language teaching colleges. (For details of English language teacher qualifications in Australia, visit the National ELT Accreditation Scheme website). Our graduates also find employment in areas where the knowledge about languages and cultures is highly valued including other pedagogical careers as well as politics, diplomacy, economics, trade and drama.
View the Master of Arts (TESOL) – Program Structure and Sequencing
The Master of Arts (TESOL) program comprises 120 credit points, as follows:
Students choose one (1) of the following options:
or
To fulfil your student visa requirements, you will need to enrol in 40 credit points per semester.
Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.
