The programme comprises compulsory and optional taught modules (120 credits) and a dissertation or a software portfolio (60 credits); students choose modules that are informed by their level of teaching experience; an experienced teacher chooses from modules covering: TESOL theory and practice; research methods in applied linguistics; and choose from a range of specialist modules; students with little or no teaching experience choose from modules that include: an introduction to TESOL; core issues in 2nd language acquisition; and research methods in applied linguistics; students then choose from a range of specialist modules including computer-assisted language learning (CALL); discourse analysis; second language acquisition; TESOL for young learners; critical and creative thinking in TESOL; cross-cultural communication; teacher development; English as a lingua franca; the English writing system; bilingualism and bilingual education; educational management; and counselling.