How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

Our experienced team of teacher educators have all taught English internationally and have a deep understanding of the challenges international students face. Our teaching approach is informed by ongoing research, professional development activities, and insights from presenting at international conferences.

You learn through: 

• Structured online learning 
• Seminars on learner issues, educational policy, and teaching approaches 
• Teaching practice support and observation experiences
• Language analysis in assignments and reports 
• Developing your English language skills
• Critical reflection on learning and teaching experiences 
• Comparing education policies and contexts in presentations and reports 
• Completing an education placement
• Collaborating with peers

Key themes

Initially, you’ll develop understanding of key aspects of the English language and teaching methodology, so you can successfully teach English. You’ll participate in and reflect on an unknown language experience with your peers, helping you to develop empathy for language learners before you teach. 

By observing live TESOL lessons and teaching adult multilingual classes, you’ll be challenged to work in teams and develop real-world lesson planning and teaching skills. By critically reflecting on these experiences, you’ll gain professional skills and multicultural awareness to prepare you to work in a range of contexts. 

You’ll also develop your awareness of the origin and impact of a range of educational policies – gaining research skills to help you compare aspects of education in two different global contexts.  

Course support

You’ll be taught by a close-knit community of qualified and highly experienced teaching staff who take the time to get to know you. Throughout your time, you’ll receive personalised support, such as:

• Specialist Hallam tutors and school-based mentors
• Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
• Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources
• Career support for up to five years after you graduate

Course leaders and tutors

Helen Thompson

Senior Lecturer

I am the course leader for Trinity Certificate TESOL, which is taken by undergraduates on a range of courses

Applied learning

You’ll apply the knowledge you develop in English grammar, lexis and phonology when you analyse language data collected from an individual language learner – which will help you plan a lesson to meet their needs. During your teaching practice experiences on campus you’ll also regularly analyse language as you prepare to teach lessons.

Teaching experience

Through experiences such as the unknown language learning experience and lesson observations, you’ll develop awareness of different approaches to teaching English and classroom techniques. You’ll apply this knowledge when you teach lessons and language learning activities yourself – preparing you for your future teaching career. 

Placements

You’ll attend an education placement to observe how education policy is implemented in practice. You’ll also undertake a research project where you’ll develop research skills – which could support your application to an MA TESOL or MA Education degree following the course.

Networking opportunities

You’ll learn about key issues in education policy by attending guest lectures from practitioners in the field of education. We’ll also help you develop your employability – with resources, support and careers conferences hosted by our Careers & Employability Team.

Future careers

The course aims to provide students with the skills most valued by employers – identifying and solving problems, exhibiting criticality in thinking and writing, communicating effectively, and working as a team. 

Following this course students might progress to work as:

• English language teachers
• Private tutors
• Online teachers
• Academic advisers
• Corporate trainers
• Teacher trainers
• Lecturers
• Curriculum or course designers
• Publishers

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Fees and funding

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.