During the programme

During your time in HU's Teacher Education in English Master programme, you grow as both an educator and an English language specialist. Not only will you master English at a very high level, you are also taught a critical approach to education quality and innovation.

Three students talking & working together

The programme is both practical and meant to strengthen your teaching know-how. You are able to adapt the programme to your situation and determine your own pace. You will be teaching from day one, preferably in the higher classes of the school you already teach at.

Content of the Master Teacher Education in English programme

Year 1 is focused on deepening and broadening your knowledge, with courses on literature, linguistics and didactics. You also work on your language skills. Courses like Highlights of English Literature, Writing Skills and Linguistics 1 help you improve your knowledge of the English language, bringing it to 'near native' level (CEFR level C2) by the time you graduate. Together with your fellow students, you reflect on your studies using learning questions and your Learning Plan.

The courses of year 1

In both the first and second year of the programme, there is a strong emphasis on your oral English- and academic writing skills. In this year, you will continue increasing your knowledge of English literature and linguistics. Further, you will undertake a research project in the field of teaching methodology, with your own students as your focus group. An example of a recent study is: "Student motivation for literature: A thematic approach to teaching literature to upper form students with the aim to increase student motivation for literature."

The courses of year 2

Throughout the Teacher Education in English Master programme you work and teach in the higher years of Dutch higher secondary and tertiary education (havo, vwo and hbo in Dutch), learning as you go.

Thesis

Your thesis should focus on a subject you encounter in your day-to-day teaching practice. Your final thesis will demonstrate you are ready to bring your teaching career to full bloom.

Want to apply for a single module?

Are you a teacher in the lower years of secondary (vocational) school and are you looking to further your professional skills, but are you unsure whether you want to do a complete master? You are welcome to join us for one or more cross-curricular or subject-specific modules. After each module, you may decide to continue and stack modules to complete your master programme.

Meet the Teacher Education lecturers

Our team is comprised of passionate teachers hailing from the US, UK, South-Africa, Slovenia, India, and The Netherlands. Three of them have done a dissertation in their field, and our two Dutch lecturers have had international careers before joining the team at HU. Some of our teaching staff have joined from secondary education, some have a background at other universities.

kate cousins

Kate Cousins (United Kingdom)

University lecturer

University of Kent graduate: English and American Literature and Drama. MA in Applied Theatre as well as a Master teaching qualification. Kate is currently responsible for Teaching literature and other literary related courses in the Bachelor.

Irene de Kleyn MA (Netherlands – also UK passport holder)

University lecturer

Dominic Ruiz MA (UK)

University lecturer

Kristina Goodnight MA (United States)

University lecturer

Former secondary school teacher; specialised in using drama as an educational tool.

nives kreuh

Nives Kreuh (Slovenia)

University lecturer

Former secondary school language teacher and later teacher trainer. In my Ph.D. research and dissertation I explored teacher training and the didactic use of digital technologies. Currently responsible for Methodology and Research courses. 

Dr. Tobey Nelson (United States)

University lecturer & Curriculum Coordinator Master Teacher Education in English

Former Research Coordinator for the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences; specialises in linguistics and research.

Dimple Benjamin MA (India)

University lecturer

Greetje Reeuwijk MA (Netherlands)

University lecturer

Jenny du Plessis BMus (hons), HDipEd, MEd (South Africa)

University lecturer

Dr. Tomas Pollard (United States)

University lecturer

Over ten years with our faculty, regularly teaches at Utrecht University as well. Specialises in writing and literature.

Nanda van der Stap MA (Netherlands - also a UK passport holder)

University lecturer

Former secondary school teacher; has been working at HU for ten years. Specialises in philosophy and multi-culturalism in literature.

Want to know more about this programme?

You can expect to spend around 30 hours per week on the programme, six of which you'll spend at HU. During the programme you are expected to work 80 hours in a so-called first-grade environment (the higher years of secondary education or at a college/university).

At HU you don't just learn in the classroom, but also in practice, in learning teams, individually and online. We call this 'blended learning': the right mix of learning in different locations and in a variety of ways. The best thing about this for you? It will keep your education varied and your focus sharp.

As stated above, during the programme you are expected to work 80 hours per year in a so-called first-grade environment (the higher years of secondary education or at a college/university). Perhaps this is possible at the school you already work at, if not, please contact us as we might be able to help you find a placement.

All programmes at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht are tested and approved by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

Use our tuition fee calculator to find out what you will be paying. If you are already teaching, you may be eligible for a Teachers scholarship (link in Dutch) or Allowances and subsidies for teacher training from the Dutch government (link in Dutch). Additionally, you can expect to pay around € 300 annually for books, materials and excursions.

Miklos Retei met boek in zijn handen

"I have learned to create activating 21st century materials which was a learning experience and was fun to do! "

Miklós Retéi (29) 1st year student
Three students stand in front of the colourful façade of Padualaan 97 in Utrecht

Interested in the Master's programme Teacher Education in English?

Do you have any questions?