Programme structure: Language Education

This programme will enable you to become a 'future-thinking' language educator who can respond to transnational migration flows, digital developments and different models of language education policy.

The MSc Language Education programme is distinctive. It considers global contexts and seeks to develop e teachers who are agents of change. These teachers can ensure their learners are equipped to become multilingual, pluriliterate citizens. The programme celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and has a robust theoretical foundation closely linking theory and practice. 

MSc structure

Masters degrees at the University of Edinburgh comprise 180 credits. The first 120 credits are made up of taught courses. Students who achieve an average mark of 50% or more can continue to the dissertation component, which makes up the final 60 credits of the programme. Successfully completing all 180 credits leads to the award of MSc. You may study this programme full-time.  

Courses

You will complete five compulsory and two option courses. You may choose option courses that match your personal interest in the field of language education.  

Compulsory courses

Option courses

You will choose two option courses. Option courses may include: 

Please note that courses and course content may change each year.

Course descriptions (2024-25)

The MSc Language Education offers a variety of assessments, including essays, presentations and reflective diaries. Students receive regular verbal feedback from their tutor and peers throughout the course, as well as written feedback on a piece of assessment at the end of the course. We also value students’ feedback on all our courses, which helps us improve our programme. 

课程设置覆盖了语言教育的很多方面，这恰恰为我继续深造提供了方向。

The curriculum covers many aspects of language education, which provides the direction for me to continue my studies.

Hao Zhang, MSc graduate and current PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh

Dissertation

Once you successfully complete your taught courses, you will produce an independently researched dissertation. Your dissertation will further develop your research skills and knowledge in a specific field of interest. You may choose the area you want to specialise in, and you will be allocated a supervisor with expertise in that area.  

Examples of previous dissertation topics include: 

  • Bridging the gap between theory and practice? English teachers’ attitudes towards global Englishes at a Chinese Middle School. 

  • Young learners’ attitudes towards Mandarin teaching activities in a Scottish primary school 

  • A study investigating the value of visual aids in language learning in relation to the learners’ use of language learning strategies (LLS) in the context of Japanese vocabulary acquisition at beginners’ level 

  • An Investigation into the Attitudes of Polish Tutors Towards Their Instructional Materials for Teaching Polish as a Foreign Language 

  • Selling Core French in Ontario: Practitioner Perspectives of L2 Motivation 

متون ادبی انگلیسی که به قلم نویسندگان مهاجر است، معمولا با نگاهی باز و میان-فرهنگی به تجربه مهاجرت می نگرد. اینمتون می تواند در کلاس های آموزش زبان برای معرفی فرهنگ مقصد بکار برود.

The literary texts written in English by diaspora (migrant) writers usually have an open and cross-cultural perspective towards the experience of migration. These texts can be used in language classes to introduce the host culture.  

Zandian 2015:115

Teaching and learning

We aim to create an inclusive teaching and learning environment that sees linguistic and cultural diversity as a resource. Taught courses usually include: 

  • Lectures:  A member of the teaching team presents key theories and practices on a given topic. Lectures are attended by students from the whole programme and remain interactive. 

  • Workshops: Students meet in smaller groups with a tutor to check their understanding of key theories and principles, and explore creative ways of applying theories to practice. 

  • Pre-workshops: Students meet before workshops, without a tutor, to engage in independent learning with peers. 

  • Autonomous learning: The weekly schedule allows students to critically read course materials and journal articles as well as prepare tasks relevant to each course. 

Support for learning

We are a friendly and supportive team. Here is the kind of support you will get from us: 

  • Weekly sessions to offer you general support and to introduce you to:  

    • fundamental academic skills such as critical reading and using databases to search for literature,  

    • University services (the career service, the counselling service, the Institute for Academic Development etc.)  

  • A Student Advisor who can provide both academic and pastoral support tailored to your needs. 

A vibrant research community

We invite our students to join our vibrant research community by attending regular events hosted by the research thematic hub for Language(s), Interculturality and Literacies. During these events, staff and researchers from other institutions share and discuss their research. 

Language(s), Interculturality and Literacies events

Staff are also active members of the British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL). BAAL is also open to post-graduate students who wish to become members. 

British Association of Applied Linguistics (BAAL)

The University of Edinburgh is an international University in an international city. Students on the MSc Language Education programme benefit from: 

  • The University's long and internationally recognised experience in Language Education and Applied Linguistics. The courses are taught by Moray House staff in collaboration with English Language Education. 

  • Cutting-edge teaching informed by the latest research developments in the field. Our staff, which includes the internationally renowned Professor Do Coyle, are actively involved in research in the field of Language Education. They publish in high-ranking journals and present their work at national and international conferences. 

  • Applying theory to practice: The programme offers you the chance to observe real language classes and visit schools in Scotland to observe and critically reflect on how education works. We also encourage students to volunteer as language assistants in various language educational environments and we can share a wide network of contacts to help with this. 

An MSc in Language Education is also a helpful start to pursue a PhD at Moray House. 

Related Links

PhD studies

English Language Education

Linguistics and English Language

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