Postgraduate Course
TESOL with Japanese MA
Explore TESOL theory, policy and practice alongside Japanese language which will enhance your knowledge and skills required to teach English in Japan.
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Study Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) while also learning Japanese. Whether you are currently a TESOL professional, or you wish to pursue this career in the future, studying this course will equip you to teach English in Japan. You will study alongside students from many parts of the world, who bring with them a diverse mix of educational backgrounds and experiences.
York campus
- Duration – 1 year full time, 2 or 3 years part time
- Start date – September 2024, September 2025
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
Written task If you do not meet these criteria
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time
International 2024-25 £11,300 full time
Discover TESOL
Course overview
This MA allows you to study Japanese from beginner level. By the end of the course you will be able to communicate effectively in Japanese, both orally and in writing, on topics familiar to you. You'll be able to quickly adapt to teaching English in Japan with the skills you will learn on this course.
Our approach to teaching TESOL focuses on teaching English in a multilingual world. You will explore and critique theories of English language learning and apply these to your teaching. You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in lesson planning and delivery.
You can also gain practical teaching experience through our community programmes:
- On our YESOL (York: English to speakers of Other Languages) programme you can volunteer to help adult migrants in the community improve their English language skills.
- YEAL (York: English as an Additional Language) is a student led voluntary outreach programme. You will be placed in a local school and work with EAL pupils to improve their English language skills.
- The Community Language School offers you the chance to help children aged 6-13 years develop their confidence and skills in using languages other than English.
We offer you the opportunity to take the CELTA course free of charge as part of your degree. CELTA is the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Speakers of Other languages. It is an internationally-recognised teaching qualification awarded by Cambridge Assessment English. You will gain hands-on teaching experience that will prepare you for a career in teaching English. Acceptance onto this course is subject to successful interview.
This course is part of a suite of TESOL MA courses. The other courses in this subject are:
Course structure
How you will study
You can study this postgraduate course full time or part time. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments.
If you choose to study full time the course will take 1 year to complete and you will study 5 compulsory modules.
If you choose to study part time the course will take 2 or 3 years to complete and the modules will be split across both years.
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
This module will introduce you to key theoretical issues in second language learning, with a focus on theory development based on research evidence. We will explore comparisons with first language acquisition, and consider the importance of:
- Cross-linguistic influence
- Input and feedback
- Individual learner differences
- Identity and ideology
- Instruction
The module will also provide you with opportunities to critically evaluate theoretical frameworks and research methods.
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
Myths about language circulate in popular discourse, government and institutional policy, and clinical and classroom practice. For example:
- Language is confused with thought
- Sign languages are poorly understood
- Bi- and multi-lingualism is assumed to be problematic
- Individuals and groups are described as incompetent users of their language(s)
These myths are used to justify the marginalisation of individuals and groups, and are particularly damaging for those who are already disadvantaged in some way. This module is designed to raise the awareness of students from a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds.
Credits: 15
Optional module
Develop your communication and self expression within the language. You will work through communicative tasks such as pair work and group work. Topics may include:
- Greetings
- Introductions
- Shopping
- Writing: Hiragana, Katakana and introductory Kanji
Credits: 15
Optional module
Develop your communication and self expression within Japanese. You will learn through pair work, independent study, weekly Kanji tests and written feedback. Topics of learning may include:
- Creative oral and written descriptions about events in the past and future
- Oral and written descriptions of places and people in detail
- Oral and written tasks expressing opinions and thoughts
Credits: 15
Optional module
You will learn the Japanese language through a variety of methods such as reading and discussing news articles, discussions of independent learning, weekly tests and feedback. You may cover topics such as:
- Issues in Japan
- Current affairs in Japan
- The education system in Japan
- University life in Japan
- Transportation, banks and hospitals in Japan
Credits: 15
Optional module
You will engage in the language through individual or group presentations and reading and discussing authentic texts. Topics of discussion are driven by students' interests and may include:
- Geopolitical issues in East Asia
- Sociocultural issues, for example gender and minority groups in Japan
- Japanese pragmatics such as politeness and sociolinguistics
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Gain practical experience in lesson planning and delivery and learn to explore how to adapt materials and methods to diverse contexts.
If you can provide evidence that you have successfully completed a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA) qualification, you will be exempt from this module.
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
On this module you will explore the implications of research findings in applied linguistics. It will build a foundation for your future independent research, pedagogical work or public engagement activity. The module will give you the tools to take an enquiring approach in your future professional practice. We will consider key issues, principles and procedures for quantitative and qualitative research in language and linguistics. You will refine your skills in:
- Critical reading
- Searching for literature
- Compiling a bibliography
- Designing a research study or pedagogical / public engagement activity
- Writing a proposal
- Addressing ethical issues
Credits: 15
Optional module
Develop your communication and self expression within the language. You will learn through communicative pair work, independent study, weekly Kanji tests and written feedback. Topics of learning may include:
- Describing activities in the past orally and in writing
- Describing places and people orally and in writing
- Expressing simple opinion and thoughts orally and in writing
- Commonly used Kanji
Credits: 15
Optional module
Develop your communication and self expression within Japanese. You will learn through pair work, independent study, weekly Kanji tests and written feedback. Topics of learning may include:
- Expressing opinions and thoughts orally and in writing
- Expressing desires and plans orally and in writing
- Reading and writing complex-clause sentences
Credits: 15
Optional module
You will learn the Japanese language through a variety of methods such as reading and discussing news articles, discussions of independent learning, weekly tests and feedback. You may cover topics such as:
- Issues in Japan
- Current affairs in Japan
- Festivals and annual events in Japan
- Honorifics and onomatopoeia in Japanese
- Food and culture in Japanese
Credits: 15
Optional module
You will engage in the language through individual or group presentations and reading and discussing authentic texts. Topics of discussion are driven by students' interests and may include:
- Employability skills such as CV writing and interview skills
- Translation and interpreting in the workplace
Credits: 60
Compulsory module
On this module you have the freedom to either conduct an independent research project related to TESOL, or to carry out a related pedagogical engagement activity.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
You are encouraged to play an active role in your own learning. Your tutors will take the role of facilitators, encouraging you to think outside your own point of reference. You will be encouraged to share your experience and reflections through regular class discussions.
The course uses a range of teaching and learning methods, including:
- Lectures (with supporting materials posted on the Virtual Learning Environment)
- Tutor and student-led seminars, workshops and discussion groups
- Independent study and research
- Collection and analysis of data
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment methods on the course. These include:
- Essays
- Tests
- Self-reflection
- Data analysis
- Videos
- Peer teaching
- Critical reviews
You will receive support and feedback on assessments prior to submission. This will allow you to continually improve your academic work.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
Written task If you do not meet these criteria
If you do not meet this criteria, either because your undergraduate degree is not in a related discipline or you do not have a 2:2, you are still encouraged to apply. We will ask you to submit a piece of written work that we will consider as part of your application.
You can find an example of the sort of task we would ask you to complete here:
You can enter this programme as a beginner in Japanese. You can also enter if you have studied Japanese before, as long as you do not already have C1 level or above of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).
If you can provide evidence that you have successfully completed a Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA) qualification, you will be exempt from the 30 credit Theory and Practice in Language Teaching module.
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK 2024 - 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is:
- £8,000 for 1 year of full time study
- £4,000 per year for 2 years of part time study
These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.
Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
International 2024 - 2025 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this postgraduate course is:
- £11,300 for 1 year of full time study
- £5,650 per year for 2 years of part time study
These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
Tuition fees
UK 2024-25 £8,000 full time
International 2024-25 £11,300 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Accommodation and living costs
View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.
Career outcomes
Where could TESOL with Japanese take you?
This postgraduate degree could lead you to a career directly related to teaching English to speakers of other languages, or it could take you in a completely different direction, using the many transferrable skills you will develop.
This will give you an advantage for a career in:
- Teaching English to speakers of other languages
- Translation
- Research in industry
- Interpreting
- Social activism
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree. (Department For Education Graduate Labour Market Report 2022).
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
CELTA
Apply to take the world renowned CELTA qualification for no extra fee, provided you are successful at the application and interview stages.
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Research experience
Become a member of the student-led linguistics society and participate in the fortnightly guest lecture series.
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Experience teaching
Through our YESOL York: English to Speakers of Other Languages), YEAL (York: English as an Additional Language), and community language school, you can apply your teaching skills. Helping our community improve their language skills.
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Read our blog
When you join this course you will be part of the School of Education, Language and Psychology. Meet the team and read about the latest news and student achievements on our school blog.
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Marta TESOL with Japanese MA
Whether that be from attending thought-provoking lectures or coming together with peers and staff to create an international conference, I was offered more opportunities than I could think of to make the most of my time at York St John. The staff on the course have been extremely supportive, offering their time whenever possible to help with assignments as well as organising extracurricular activities. York St John has prepared me for the future by offering such a wide variety of opportunities that can enhance not only my CV, but also my confidence in becoming a languages teacher.
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