Master of Arts (TESOL)

The Master of Arts (TESOL) at King's Own Institute is for people who want to teach English to speakers of other languages, in Australia or overseas. It runs for 1.5 years and sits at master's level on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That's shorter than a two-year master's because it's a coursework degree, not a research one, and it's built for students who already have a bachelor's degree.

How the course is structured

Australian master's degrees are measured in units of study and credit points. You'll typically complete a set number of core units, the theory and practice of second language teaching, grammar and phonology for teachers, curriculum and assessment, and second language acquisition, then choose electives that let you specialise. Most institutions run two semesters or three trimesters a year, so a 1.5-year degree usually means three semesters of full-time study. Teaching is in English.

Assessment is a mix of essays, lesson plans, micro-teaching, presentations and a final project or practicum. TESOL is a practical field, so expect a supervised teaching component where you plan and deliver lessons to real learners, then reflect on what worked. Some institutions arrange placements in language schools, community colleges or university pathway programmes. Confirm the exact placement hours and settings with King's Own Institute before you enrol.

What you'll actually learn

You'll learn how people acquire a second language, how to analyse English grammar and pronunciation well enough to explain it to a learner, how to design a syllabus, and how to assess students fairly. You'll also look at how culture shapes the classroom and how to teach in contexts where English isn't the first language. By the end, you should be able to walk into a classroom, plan a term's work, and adjust your teaching when a lesson isn't landing.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups: teachers with a background in another subject who want to move into English language teaching; graduates in languages, linguistics or education who want a formal TESOL qualification; and people already teaching English overseas who want an Australian master's to open up more senior roles or meet registration requirements in other countries. If you're aiming to teach in Australian schools, check with the relevant state teaching authority, a TESOL master's alone may not lead to school registration, which usually requires an initial teacher education qualification.

For international students, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances. While you study, a student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. English entry is usually IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for coursework master's degrees, though some institutions set higher requirements for teaching courses. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 083134K. Always check the official page for current entry requirements, unit lists and fees.

• English language teacher in Australian language schools, TAFE, university pathway programmes and community colleges
• EAL/D teacher or classroom support in primary and secondary schools (subject to state registration requirements)
• Curriculum developer or materials writer for English language publishers and edtech companies
• Teacher trainer or academic manager in language institutions
• English teacher overseas in schools, universities and private colleges
• Assessment writer or examiner for English language tests
• Adult literacy and numeracy teacher in community education
• Language support officer in migrant and refugee settlement services

Australian employers in this field include private English language colleges, TAFE institutes, universities with English language centres, state education departments, community organisations, and overseas schools and universities. Some roles require additional registration or experience, so check the requirements for the specific job you're after.