Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Overview
These postgraduate courses in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) are designed to help you develop disciplinary knowledge in the area of second language acquisition, as well as specific knowledge in the area of teaching English to speakers of other languages. The combination of theoretical knowledge and teaching methodology is designed to equip you with tools for classroom practice as a prospective TESOL practitioner. You can study on-campus, online, or a combination of the two.
I am an
International Student
Australia or New Zealand.
I am a
Domestic Student
I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).
Courses
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 6 months
Delivery mode:
In person
Online
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
SATAC code: 2GC143
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$12,852 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Online (not available for all topics in the Graduate Diploma)
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
SATAC code: 2GD119
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$25,704 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 2 years
Delivery mode:
In person
Online (not available for all topics in the Masters)
Location:
Bedford Park
Availability:
Full-time
Part-time
Start dates:
March
July
SATAC code: 2CM250
Annual indicative fees (2025):
$25,704 (Full fee paying)
Apply via SATAC
Courses
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 6 months
Delivery mode:
In person
Online (not available for all topics)
Location:
Bedford Park
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 053051F
Annual fees:
2025: $19,000
Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 1 year
Delivery mode:
In person
Location:
Bedford Park
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 062068M
Annual fees:
2025: $38,000
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Duration: 2 years
Delivery mode:
In person
Location:
Bedford Park
Start dates:
March
July
CRICOS code: 060015G
Annual fees:
2025: $38,000
Why study TESOL at Flinders?
- Flexible modes of learning (on-campus, online or hybrid)
- Diverse employment opportunities locally and internationally
- Learn the most up-to-date, practical and innovative approaches and strategies for effective English language teaching
- Combine your degree with an education degree
- You’ll learn a combination of specialised theoretical knowledge and classroom teaching practice, with possible transition into a Higher Degree Research (HDR) program
- Complete a 16 hour teaching practicum, which includes the observation of experienced teachers, practical teaching experience and feedback on students’ teaching.
Your career
With the internationalisation of the job market, graduates with a qualification in English language teaching may have greater employment opportunities. A TESOL degree will give you the skills and knowledge to teach English in Australia at private language colleges or other registered training organisations, and to teach English overseas in schools, universities and private colleges, by providing them with a solid foundation in the theoretical and practical aspects of English language teaching.
Potential occupations include:
- private English language teacher
- assistant language teacher
- communications specialist
- immigration officer
- international student advisor
- linguist
- multicultural service officer
- travel consultant.
Potential employers include:
- private language colleges
- universities
- TAFE institutions
- university language centres (subject to employer requirements).
Professional accreditation/recognition
These courses do not lead to teacher registration in South Australia.
A Bachelor of Education, or Master of Teaching, is required for teaching in an Australian primary or secondary school.
$2,053 median weekly earnings
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages are in high demand across Australia, and typically earn high salaries.**
**Jobs and Skills Australia 2024
“
I was on the lookout for a university that focuses on hands-on learning that will prepare me to attain a superior level of expertise and acquire depth of knowledge in the field of TESOL, and this is offered by Flinders University... moreover, its objectives empower its students to achieve their maximum potential and make a different in the field of education.
Ellaine Dela Cruz - Master of TESOL
”
Undergraduate study
TESOL can also be studied at the undergraduate level as a major, minor or elective. For more information, please refer to the details of the TESOL undergraduate program.
What you will study
The combination of theoretical knowledge and teaching methodology equips prospective TESOL practitioners with tools for classroom practice. The courses are designed to facilitate the development of disciplinary knowledge in the area of second language acquisition, as well as specific knowledge in the area of TESOL. Topics cover areas such as second language learning and teaching, language assessment, English linguistics, TESOL methodology, English as a global language, and research in TESOL.
The program is designed to equip teachers with the basic tools for classroom practice in the area of teaching English to speakers of other languages.
We offer an optional Teaching Practicum in ESOL9004 Curriculum Development & Teaching Practice in TESOL GE (postgraduate). This practicum is available only to students in Adelaide, not in other cities, states or countries.
The practicum is a total of 70 hours undertaken in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at TAFE SA. It includes observation, teaching, lesson planning and development and reflection on teaching.
You also have the opportunity to take part in overseas teaching assistant/internship programs, such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, English Program in Korea (EPIK), English Language Teaching Assistants in France Program, English Language and Culture Assistant Program in Spain.
If you would like to gain even more experience, you can take advantage of the Volunteer Tutor Scheme, TAFE SA or volunteer in a school.
Entry requirements
Graduate Certificate
Applicants must normally hold an approved bachelor degree or equivalent qualification.
Graduate Diploma
Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; or hold the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or equivalent qualification.
Master
Applicants must hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; or the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or equivalent qualification.
Select your preferred course.
Check entry requirements.
Check individual course entries on SATAC for information on important dates.
Apply online at SATAC.
Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.
Select your preferred course and apply directly through the MySATAC application portal.
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.
Entry requirements
Applicants must normally hold an approved bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.
Graduates already with a Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching are specialised into English as a Second Language (ESL)/Languages Other than English (LOTE).
Students are strongly encouraged to check employment requirements and conditions with potential employers before enrolling in a TESOL course.
Select your course.
Check entry requirements.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.
Meet the experts
Dr Jeffrey Gil
Dr Jeffrey Gil is involved in the development, teaching, and administration of ESOL and TESOL topics at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. He was also the coordinator of the Chinese program from 2011-2014. Jeffrey has previously taught at university level in China and worked as a language tester using the International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) system.
Dr Mai Ngo
Dr Mai Ngo has experience in delivering a richly interactive and personalized approach to learning focusing on student success, through face-to-face and online lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and one-to-one consultation, together with topic coordination and curriculum development.
Dr Ngo has been awarded a number of prestigious scholarships, including the Australian Government Scholarship Awards for her Master in TESOL in 2000, Master of Business Administration in 2007, Australian Leadership Awards for her PhD studies in 2010 - 2013, and Endeavour post-doctoral fellowship in 2016.
Frequently asked questions
No. Flinders' TESOL topics and courses are suitable for students with no prior background and no teaching experience in TESOL. There are opportunities to gain teaching experience during your studies.
We offer an exciting curriculum that gives you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to teach English as an additional language. You’ll do a variety of hands-on activities including creating lesson plans, analysing teaching materials and developing assessment. You’ll also learn transferable skills that will boost your communication, understanding of language systems and intercultural understanding.
The standard student workload at Flinders University is approximately 30 hours of time commitment per unit. This consists of attending classes, preparing for classes and completing assignments. A standard topic at Flinders University is 4.5 units, meaning you will be expected to do 135 hours of work for each topic you are enrolled in. This equates to about 11 hours work per week for each topic. If you enrol full-time, you will do four topics per semester, totalling 44 hours of work per week.
Yes. If you have studied TESOL topics before or if you have experience teaching English as a second/additional language, you may be eligible to receive credit towards your TESOL studies at Flinders University. Please see credit transfer for details.
Yes. If you have completed a TESOL degree at Flinders University and decide to take another TESOL degree, the topics you have already completed will be acknowledged and credits transferred to your new degree. For example, if you complete a Graduate Certificate in TESOL then enrol in a Master of TESOL, all of the topics you completed in the Graduate Certificate in TESOL will count towards the Master of TESOL. This means that you don't need to repeat topics.
You can study TESOL face-to-face, online or a combination of both. If you are an international student, you must be enrolled in at least one face-to-face topic per semester. All international students can study a maximum of 33% of their course online.
There are two streams in the Master of TESOL, the Coursework Stream and the Coursework with Research Component Stream. Students in the Coursework Stream do purely coursework for the duration of their degree. Students in the Coursework with Research Component Stream do coursework as well as an 18 unit thesis (approximately 20,000 words). The Coursework with Research Component Stream is also a pathway to a PhD. Please check the Master of TESOL website for detailed information about and requirements for each stream.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
Follow Flinders
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University