Master of Arts in Teaching English As a Second Language

The Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA TESL) at the Open University of Sri Lanka is designed for educators who teach English as a second language. The programme covers sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, psycholinguistics, teaching methodology, testing and evaluation, educational sociology and psychology, and technology in teaching, together with a full teaching practicum.

Students initially register for the MA TESL programme with a thesis. The programme provides exit points at postgraduate diploma and masters by coursework levels. Students can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language (PGDip TESL), or with a Master of Teaching English as a Second Language (MTESL) by course work. The programme follows a strict schedule, and each stage is completed within the specified time duration.

A person seeking admission to the Programme of Study leading to the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language shall be required to have:

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE) with a grade point average of 2.70 or greater, or
• The Master in Teaching English as a Second Language conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of English (PGIE) with a grade point average of 2.70 or greater, or
• A Postgraduate Diploma (SLQF Level 8) in English Language Teaching (ELT), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) from a recognized higher education institute, or
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Education (SLQF Level 8) in the English medium, from a recognized higher education institute, or
• A Bachelor’s Honors degree (SLQF Level 6) in English and/or English Language Teaching, Linguistics in the English medium, or
• A Bachelor’s Honors degree (SLQF Level 6) in Linguistics in the English medium, or
• A Bachelor’s degree (SLQF Level 5) with Teaching English as a subject, or
• A Bachelor’s degree (SLQF Level 5) with English as a subject and one (01) year of experience in teaching English language or literature, or
• A Bachelor’s degree (SLQF Level 5) in the English medium with a postgraduate certificate (SLQF Level 7) in English Language Teaching (ELT), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL), or at least 2 years of experience in teaching English language or literature, or
• A teacher training qualification from a recognized institution as specified in Schedule 5 and 10 years of experience in teaching English, or
• An equivalent or higher qualification acceptable to the Senate of The Open University of Sri Lanka, and
• A pass at the Entry Test for the Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language conducted by the PGIE.