Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Linguistics

Faculty in TESOL and Linguistics are active, internationally recognised researchers in a range of areas, including the nature and development of professionals within the TESOL community; varieties of English, including Irish English, professional discourse and classroom interaction;  World Englishes and the impact of globalization on language and language teaching; the relationship between established and emerging technologies and language pedagogy; creativity and authenticity in materials design and development; and pushing the boundaries of linguistic description and understanding more generally.

Postgraduate Programmes

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The University of Limerick’s MA in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL) was the first of its kind in Ireland, and remains unique in its balance of content between practical pedagogy and research-led teaching connected to on-going advances in the description of language. Graduates gain a professional qualification in the area of TESOL, and a significant emphasis is placed on criticality and reflexivity in understanding of how students learn and how teachers teach. The programme has a dual focus on developing students academically as independent researchers on language and pedagogies, and professionally as TESOL practitioners in an increasingly competitive global market.

Experienced teachers looking to augment their TESOL qualification as well as complete novices are welcome on the programme. No matter what level of teaching experience, participants have the opportunity to complete one or two semesters of teaching practice with classes of highly motivated second language learners at third level. Graduates have gone on to teach in a variety of different teaching contexts all over the world, as well as pursue doctoral research related to TESOL and linguistics.

For more information please go to the PostGraduate section on the MLAL page.

Structured PhD in TESOL 

Launched in 2013, the Structured PhD in TESOL at the University of Limerick is the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland and has been designed to build on the highly successful MA in TESOL (formerly MA in English Language Teaching) that has been running at UL since 2001. The programme is specifically designed for experienced English Language teachers, practitioners and researchers working in international contexts. It is a four-year programme which caters to students’ varying interests, experience and needs. The Structured PhD in TESOL programme aims to: • Develop highly educated TESOL professionals • Produce TESOL researchers with critical research skills • Provide a professional qualification for work at third level.

For further information, click here

2018 flier for the Structured PhD TESOL here

Faculty contribute to a variety of undergraduate programmes, and modules in linguistics, language in society, TESOL and ESOL.

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

The undergraduate TESOL elective stream, a suite of three modules taken over the course of three semesters, is an integral part of many of our primary degree programmes, including the BA in Applied Languages (LM044)

These modules can also be taken by students on many other degrees offered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and a Linguistics with TESOL stream is available as part of the BA Arts (LM002) and Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences (LM019)

Taking all three TESOL modules the second part of third year and throughout fourth years of programmes leads to a confirmation of completion validated by the School of Modern Languages & Applied Linguistics. Many of our TESOL undergraduate students are offered teaching positions abroad as part of their co-operative education placements and many others find their way back into teaching on completion of their degrees.

Courses in which you can study TESOL and Linguistics:

LM002 - BA Arts

LM019 - BSc. Social Sciences

LM029 - Law Plus

LM044 - BA in Applied Languages

LM040 - European Studies

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

TESOL & Linguistics Faculty coordinate and teach on undergraduate English language modules for students who are studying at the University of Limerick for one or more semesters as part of international study exchange programmes. 

Three separate modules are offered in each semester, covering Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels B1-C1. 

For queries relating to TESOL/Linguistics with TESOL on Undergraduate programmes please contact catherine.martin@ul.ie

Queries for MA in TESOL please contact Dr Elaine Riordan

Subject Leader:

Dr Maria Rieder
Phone: +353 61 234858 
Email: maria.rieder@ul.ie