Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL)

Overview

A one-year full-time programme jointly offered by the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and SEAMEO RELC.

Please download the application forms under the ‘Application Details’ section. Course fees will be updated as soon as they are available.

Aims

Victoria University of Wellington’s Masters of TESOL attracts English language teachers from around the world who wish to upskill and become more effective in classroom teaching, assessment and curriculum design. Teachers in the programme are equipped to:

  • Prepare and critically assess teaching materials
  • Plan a programme of language study
  • Account for individual differences and difficulties in language learning
  • Monitor and assess learners’ progress
  • Advise teachers on effective procedures and interventions
  • Read and evaluate research, theory and descriptions of classroom practice in language teaching
  • Plan and carry out their own small-scale research studies

Period and Nature of Study

  • The programme will begin on 24 February 2025 and end on 06 Feb 2026. There will be an orientation programme from 20 to 24 February 2025.
  • Students are expected to arrive at RELC on 19 February 2025.

Duration

  • Students are required to be in Singapore for Trimesters 1 and 2 from 19 February 2025 until 25 October 2025 (35 weeks and 3 days)
    • 20 to 22 February 2025: Administrative and Academic Orientation
    • 24 February to 6 June 2025: Trimester 1 (13 week, 4 courses)
    • 9 June to 27 June 2025: Summer intensive course (3 weeks, 1 course)
    • 30 June to 4 July 2025: Course Break (1 week)
    • 7 July to 17 October 2025: Trimester 2 (13 weeks, 4 Courses)
    • 20 to 24 October 2025: Final assessment period (1 week)
  • Students will complete Trimester 3 in their home countries
    • 17 Nov 2025 to 6 Feb 2026: Trimester 3 (12 weeks, 3 courses)

(Note: Dates listed are tentative and subject to change.)

Structure

Students are required to successfully complete 12 courses to be awarded the MTESOL. 

Applicants with the RELC Diploma in Applied Linguistics (or equivalent qualification) may be given exemptions of up to 4 courses. The courses offered during the 2025 academic year are as follows:

Title

LALS#510 Listening and Speaking in the Language Classroom

Description

This course explores a range of principles and practices for the teaching and learning of listening and speaking skills in the second/foreign language classroom. Drawing on evidence from classroom research, the course explores evidence-based proposals for addressing the practical issues that teachers face in planning and and implementing instruction. Particular emphasis is given to the design of classroom materials, activities and lessons, and principles for managing classroom learning.

Title

LALS#528 Classroom Research

Description

The course focuses on the role of teachers as researcher who are seeking their classroom teaching/learning environment. It combines current reflective language teaching theory with the development of a hands-on action research plan.

Title

LALS#542 Interaction and Identity in Language Learning

Description

This course explores what theories of identity contribute to our understanding of the teaching and learning of language in educational contexts. It examines how language and identity are interconnected and considers implications for classroom practice. 

Title

LALS#544 Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching

Description

Discourse is language in use. This course explores the analysis of discourse structure in spoken and/or written text, and considers applications in language teaching.

Title

LALS#530 Teaching English as an International Language

Description

The changing sociolinguistic landscape of English has led to a change in thinking in the Applied Linguistics discipline, calling for a critical re-assessment of ELT assumptions and practices that have been traditionally oriented toward native-English speakers’ linguistic norms and practices. This course engages students in exploring the recent sociolinguistic development of the English language in various international contexts, and its implications for teaching English in today’s globalising/globalised world.

Title

LALS#511 Teaching Reading and Writing

Description

Examination of the principles behind the effective teaching of reading and writing skills in another language and the application of these principles in the preparation and use of teaching materials.

Title

LALS#518 Special Topic: Formulaic Language: Acquisition, Processing and Use

Description

The course explores formulaic language and the important role it plays in language acquisition, processing and use. The evidence from second language learning, learner corpus research, and psycholinguistics will be presented and carefully evaluated.

Title

LALS#520 Learners and Second Language Learning

Description

LALS 520 introduces course members to theories of second language acquisition. It explores linguistic, psychological, and educational factors that bear on the abilities of children and adults to understand and use second languages. The course emphasizes the application of SLA research to second language pedagogy.

Title

LALS#523 Assessment for Learning in the Language Classroom

Description

A study of the theory and practice of language assessment, with particular reference to classroom learning and teaching. The course mainly focuses on classroom-based assessment for formative purposes.

Title

LALS#522 Teaching and Learning Vocabulary

Description

The study of second language vocabulary learning and teaching, including factors that influence vocabulary learning, the roles of incidental acquisition and deliberate learning, how to select words for learning and how to assess vocabulary knowledge.

Title

LALS#529 Task-Based Language Teaching

Description

Task-based language teaching (TBLT) has been extensively theorized and researched in recent decades and widely adopted in language teaching and learning internationally. Drawing on theoretical and classroom perspectives, this course explores task-based course design, teaching, and assessment. It considers the practicalities of adopting TBLT in contexts familiar to teachers on the course.

Title

LALS#525 Learner Autonomy and Learning Strategies

Description

This course introduces the principles and practices associated with learner autonomy and learner strategies in language learning. A key emphasis will be placed on how the theories and research covered can be translated into classroom practice. 

Title

LALS#582 Research Project

Description

The collection, analysis and interpretation of data relating to a research question arising from course work in the MTESOL, leading to a 12,000-word report. Permission of the Programme Director must be obtained before enrolling in this course.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to the programme are:

  1. A Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, English Language, Education or a language other than English (or another relevant degree);
  2. At least two years of recent professional experience in language education or other areas of applied Linguistics#;
  3. Candidates must meet the minimum language scores for any of the following*:
    • IELTS or IELTS Indicator Test: Overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0;
    • TOEFL internet-based test (iBT): Overall score of 90 with a 20 in writing;
    • Pearson Test of English: 65 with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58;
    • Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 120 with a 90 in the Production subsection.

*Singaporeans may submit GCE ‘O’ level English results in lieu of these.

Applicants with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics conferred by SEAMEO RELC or an equivalent post-graduate qualification may be eligible for a four-course exemption.

#: Nominees whose teaching experience is not recent or current but who intend to take on a teaching role after the course should indicate this plan/ intent clearly in section 3 (personal statement) of their completed RELC application form.

Application Details

Closing Date : 21 November 2024

To apply for this course, please submit the following documents to our email address at sa@relc.org.sg:

  • RELC Application Form (completed and endorsed)
  • Victoria University of Wellington Application to Study as an International Student
  • Officially certified copies of your certificates of degrees/diplomas
  • Officially certified copies of your transcripts. Where a transcript is in a language other than English, it should be accompanied by a certified translation into English. (In the absence of a transcript, a certified statement on the degrees/academic qualifications achieved with a listing of subjects studied and subject examination results is required.)
  • Reference letters (The two reference letters can be from an academic staff who has supervised you or a current/previous employer.)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Scanned copy of your passport (must be valid from the time of application until the end of the residential phase)
  • Officially certified copies of current/valid IELTS, official TOEFL, Pearson Test of English, or Duolingo English test results

Note: Shortlisted candidates not residing in Singapore will be required to undergo a medical examination in their home countries as part of the application process. We will provide the necessary details to them in due course.

Fees

Year 2025 Course Fees

12 Modules

Registration Fee: SGD 170.00

Course Fee: SGD 48,178.00

8 Modules

Registration Fee: SGD 170.00

Course Fee: SGD 33,354.00

*All Course Fees and Registration Fees include 9% GST.

Note:

• All fees are subject to change without notice;
• RELC does not accept any responsibility for accidents on journey to and from Singapore or in Singapore, or for the loss of baggage and other personal belongings in transit or in Singapore;
• RELC will also not be responsible for taking out air, travel and personal accident insurance for students; and
• Students are expected to incur additional costs for miscellaneous learning materials.

Payment of Fees

• The registration fee must be submitted together with the application form and supporting documents

• Fees are payable before the commencement of the course

• Cheques should be crossed and made payable to the SEAMEO Regional Language Centre; and

• An administration fee of SGD 50.00 (inclusive of GST) will be imposed for cheques which are dishonoured.

• Participants are responsible for all bank transfer charges and must ensure that the final amount received by SEAMEO RELC matches the amount stated on the invoice.

• Enrolment will only proceed once we have received proof of the transaction (e.g. a copy of the transaction receipt or a bank statement showing the transaction), confirmed receipt of funds, and received a completed Health Undertaking Form, duly filled out by a registered physician in your country of residence. Please note that the Health Undertaking Form will be issued only when we send the Letter of Offer.

Refund Policy

• The registration fee is strictly non-refundable

• Cancellation of enrolment must be made in writing

• An Administration Fee of SGD 160.50 (inclusive of GST) will be payable if the notice of cancellation/withdrawal is made less than 5 calendar days from the date on which the payment is received

• Full course fees paid are non-refundable if the notice cancellation/withdrawal is made after 5 calendar days from the date on which the payment was received

• Withdrawals after the course has commenced will not be eligible for refund.

Graduation Requirements

To complete the programme successfully, the candidate must satisfy the below criteria. A programme participant whose progress has not been satisfactory may be required to terminate his/her candidature. 

  • Obtain a pass in all courses;
  • Satisfy class attendance requirements; and
  • Complete all on-line tasks, where applicable.

Award

The programme will lead to the award of a Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) conferred by the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.