BA in TESOL is an innovative course which is different from a traditional English language teaching degree programme as it offers cutting-edge academic course content in English language teaching with an internationally recognized teaching qualification, Cambridge CELTA. The course has been designed with the help of internationally reputed academics and practitioners in the field of English Language Teaching.

50% of your time is devoted to theory and 50% for practical work.

Academic component of the degree will cover key areas in language teaching. Each module of the degree has a practical component in which students will be exposed to micro-teaching as well as authentic teaching contexts (e.g. schools). In addition, in the last year, students will take Cambridge CELTA course.

CELTA is the most widely recognised English teaching qualification in the world and the qualification most often requested by employers. Three out of four English language teaching jobs in the world require a CELTA qualification.

Local students 

G.C.E. (Advanced Level) – Three Simple Passes (S) in any stream, pass in the Common General Test and a Distinction pass for English in the G.C.E. (O/L) examination
OR
Other equivalent qualifications to G.C.E. (A/L) (E.g. Cambridge or Edexcel).

Foreign nationals

Equivalent qualifications to G.C.E. (A/L) (E.g. Cambridge or Edexcel).

*There will be a special selection test in English for all applicants.

Year 1

Introduction to TESO
Second language learning
Social aspects of language teaching and learning  
Structure of the English language I
Overview of principles and approaches in language teaching
Teaching language skills
English as a lingua franca
Structure of the English language II

Year 2

Teaching language systems
Teaching English through literature
Language assessment
Research methods in TESOL
Syllabus and materials design
Inclusive practices in language teaching
English for specific purposes
Technology mediated language teaching

Year 3

Language teacher education
Using corpora in language teaching
Teaching young learners
Language education policy
Cambridge CELTA
Dissertation

Module Details

Introduction to TESOL

The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to revise their own English language knowledge especially language structures. In addition, they will be introduced with concepts such as academic writing and reading for academic purposes.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• use language structures accurately and fluently in their own communication both orally and in writing.
• understand and apply basic academic writing features in academic documents.
• read and understand academic texts and incorporate reading in their writing.

Second language learning

The aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of various theories related to second language acquisition. This includes a brief introduction to learning theories in general and first language learning theories too. It introduces research related to second language acquisition and how second language acquisition theories can be applied in classroom practices.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand how learning in general takes place.
• understand how first and second language acquisition takes place.
• distinguish between acquisition and learning.
• evaluate second language acquisition theories in relation to classroom language teaching/learning.
• apply second language acquisition theories in designing classroom teaching.

Social aspects of language teaching and learning  

This module introduces how language learning is related to social aspects and why it is important for language teachers to be aware of social factors.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the relationship between language and aspects such as gender, social class, attitudes, inter-cultural communication etc.
• apply their understanding of social aspects in designing classroom teaching.

Structure of the English language I

The aim of this module is to introduce the structure of English language with a particular attention to phonological and morphological features. Students will analyse spoken and written samples of language to understand these language features.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand phonological and morphological features of English.
• evaluate variations in pronunciation in different Englishes.
• analyse how phonology and morphology work in language teaching.

Overview of principles and approaches in language teaching

This module provides an overview of language teaching methodology. It will discuss pros and cons of methodology applied so far and the current methodology used. Learners will be introduced to the concept of the current ‘post method era’ and how methodology works now.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the features of a range of language teaching methodology.
• evaluate the applicability and success of various methods in different teaching contexts.
• analyse what methods should be used in different teaching contexts.

Teaching language skills

This module introduces both theoretical and practical concepts in teaching the receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (speaking and writing). The module will also discuss recent research findings related to teaching language skills.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand theoretical concepts related to teaching the four skills.
• analyse how to teach skills in different contexts.
• plan and deliver lessons to teach language skills.
• practically apply theory in different contexts to teach the four skills.

English as a lingua franca (ELF)

This module introduces how language works in an ELF context. It will also discuss the status of English in the past, present and future and why language teachers should be aware of the current linguistic landscape.

After competition of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the status of English in the global context.
• understand the status of English in the Sri Lankan context.
• analyse learner expectations of learning English in the global context.
• critically evaluate English language teaching and its status within the ELF context

Structure of the English language II

The aim of this module is to introduce the structure of the English languages with a particular attention to syntax. Students will analyse spoken and written samples of language to identify syntactic and semantic features.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand syntactic and sematic features of English language.
• evaluate language samples for syntactic and semantic features.
• analyse how syntax/semantics work in language teaching.

Teaching language systems

This module will introduce both theoretical and practical concepts in teaching language systems (vocabulary, grammar and lexicogrammar). The module will also discuss recent research findings related to teaching vocabulary, grammar and lexicogrammar

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand theoretical concepts related to teaching the language systems.
• analyse how to teach vocabulary, grammar and lexicogrammar in different contexts.
• plan and deliver lessons to teach language systems.
• practically apply theory in various contexts in teaching language systems.

Teaching English through literature

This module discusses how English literature can be used in the language classroom to teach/improve English language. The module introduces practical techniques and classroom materials designed based on literary texts aiming at teaching language.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand how literature can be used to teach language.
• evaluate when and where to use literature in the language classroom.
• design activities based on literary texts to teach English language.

Language assessment

The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to language assessment. It focuses on assessing the four skills and language systems. Students will get practical exposure to designing classroom tests.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the basic concepts related to language assessment.
• analyse how to test language skills and systems.
• design classroom tests.
• interpret and analyse test results.

Research methods in TESOL

The aim of this module is to provide students with understanding of research methods needed to engage in an independent research study in the field. This includes both quantitative and qualitative methods as well as action research methods.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the fundamentals in research methods.
• analyse research methods suitable for variety of contexts.
• apply research methods in designing, executing and presenting an independent research study.

Syllabus and materials design

The aim of this module is to introduce basic principles in designing language teaching materials. The module will particularly focus on adapting existing materials and designing authentic materials to teach the four skills and language systems in various contexts.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the basic principles of language teaching materials designing.
• evaluate the existing teaching materials.
• adapt existing materials.
• design new materials for classroom use in different contexts.

Inclusive practices in language teaching

This module discusses the theoretical concepts and practical approaches related to language learning difficulties and how to help learners with such difficulties in the language classroom. It will also focus on individual variations in learners.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand language learning difficulties, individual differences and how they affect language learning.
• apply inclusive classroom techniques in designing and executing lessons.

English for specific purposes

This module introduces how English is used in different fields such as in academic contexts, business, health etc. Students will get an opportunity to design teaching materials to suit these different contexts.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand how English is used in different fields.
• evaluate language teaching practices in relation to different fields.
• design language lessons to suit learners in these different fields

Technology mediated language teaching

This module introduces how digital tools can be used in language teaching. This includes teaching online, in distance mode as well as how technology can be used in the language classroom.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand ways and means of using technology in the language classroom.
• understand how digital tools can be used in various modes of teaching.
• use digital tools for various purposes of language teaching.

Language teacher education

The aim of this module is to provide students with understanding of language teacher education and how to plan their own professional development.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the basic principles behind language teacher education.
• understand professional development pathways.
• analyse their own professional development needs.
• plan their own professional development activities.

Using corpora in language teaching

The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to corpus linguistics. It focuses on when and where corpus linguistics is used, corpus tools and using corpora in language teaching.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand the basic features of corpus linguistics.
• evaluate when and where to use corpora in language teaching.
• use corpus tools to design teaching materials

Teaching young learners

This module introduces theoretical and practical aspects of teaching young learners. It also discusses how child development is related to language acquisition and how to teach young learners taking these into consideration.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand child development and how it is related to learning a language
• analyse the differences between adult and child language learning
• design language lessons for young learners

Language education policy

This module discusses basic concepts in language curriculum designing and how language policy of a country/area/institution determines the curriculum designing process.

After completion of this module, students will be able to:

• understand how language policy influences language curriculum designing.
• understand basic concepts of curriculum designing.
• use theoretical concepts learned in evaluating existing curricula.

Cambridge CELTA

Dissertation

This will be completed in the last semester of the course. A supervisor will guide the project.

Full course fee

Payment options

Payments can be made in instalments.

Student loans

Student loans are available via Local Banks.

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