This part-time, two-year blended Master's programme prepares you to teach English to young learners in pre‑school and primary settings while also opening academic pathways in teacher education and research. The course combines online study with short on‑campus sessions in Freiburg (5 blocks of two days each), which can be joined virtually if you cannot travel. Successful completion leads to a Master of Arts and gives access to further university-level study and research opportunities, including postgraduate research, teacher education roles and progression to a doctoral (PhD) pathway.
Most teaching is delivered via the E-LINGO online platform, allowing you to balance study with work or other commitments. Instruction and coursework are in English and supported by native speakers, so language development and pedagogical skills are built at the same time. The programme blends theory and practice: you will work with current approaches to teaching young learners, analyse authentic classroom videos and materials, design and carry out small classroom research projects in collaboration with peers, and complete a two‑week placement in a language classroom to gain hands‑on experience.
Graduates leave qualified to teach English to children in a wide range of settings and to pursue academic roles. Typical employment destinations include nursery schools and playgroups, kindergartens and preschools, private language courses and community centres, primary and bilingual schools, publishers (materials design), and school administration (curriculum development, in‑service teacher education). The MA also provides a solid foundation for roles in university-level teacher education and post‑graduate research.
Requirements and key facts
This program uses a blended format that combines short, intensive meetings with structured online study. Across the first three semesters you complete 12 online units, punctuated by four two-day meetings that you can attend either in Freiburg or remotely. The fourth semester is dedicated to writing your Master’s thesis online, and the course finishes in the fifth semester with a final exam held in Freiburg or online.
The online curriculum is organised into focused modules that build practical classroom skills and theoretical understanding. Early units centre on task-based teaching, the principles of how young children acquire languages, and practical work with vocabulary, grammar and sounds, plus ways to integrate the four language skills. Subsequent modules cover the use of stories and short literary texts, critical evaluation of teaching resources, integrating English with other subject matter, and classroom management techniques. Later units address cultural learning, individual learner support and differentiation, effective use of digital media in lessons, and approaches to acknowledging and assessing learners’ progress.
On completion you will be able to design age-appropriate, task-based lessons; select and adapt materials for pre-school and primary contexts; support diverse learners and foster intercultural awareness; integrate media and stories into language learning; and carry out independent academic work leading to the Master’s thesis. The program’s blended structure also develops practical classroom-management skills and prepares you for the final assessment.
Requirements / key components
Admission overview
This MA programme is aimed at applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree and can demonstrate practical experience and solid English skills. You should be prepared to document your prior study and work, and to participate in an online interview as part of the selection process. International applicants should ensure their documents clearly show the required qualifications and language level.
What to expect in the application
The admissions process includes an online interview where you can expect questions about your academic background, relevant work experience (one year is required), and your English language ability. It’s a good idea to have transcripts, employment evidence, and any language documentation ready before applying.
Admission requirements (concise)
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Graduates are prepared for teaching roles with young learners across a range of settings, including nursery schools, playgroups, kindergartens, preschools, private language courses for children, and primary or bilingual schools. The practical placement and classroom‑focused modules equip graduates to design age‑appropriate materials and manage language learning in early years and primary contexts.
The research training and thesis component also create pathways into teacher education, postgraduate research and doctoral studies. Additional career options include roles in curriculum development and in‑service teacher training, educational publishing and school administration.
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