St Andrews’ professorial masterclass for language teaching professionals

About the University of St Andrews

Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews was Scotland’s first university and only the third to be founded in the English-speaking world. It sits in the heart of the east coast town of the same name, in the Kingdom of Fife. St Andrews is Scottish University of the Year and best in the UK for Student Experience in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. The University is top in Scotland and second in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

What is the St Andrews’ masterclass?

Organised by the Centre for International, Language and Teacher Education Research (CILTER) at the University of St Andrews, St Andrews’ Professorial Masterclasses for Language Teaching Professionals are facilitated by world-leading researchers and teacher educators in Applied Linguistics and Language Education. Focusing on research-informed insights on practical topics about language teaching and learning, each online masterclass offers a total of 5 hours of content, broken down into 10-minute mini-lectures, and supplemented by reading materials and activities that help participants apply their learning to their professional roles. The contents of these masterclasses are developed exclusively for the masterclass and are not available on other platforms such as YouTube. Each masterclass concludes with a one-hour online live “fireside chat” with the professor that provides opportunities for attendees to engage and connect as a learning community. There is also an option to participate in a one-on-one/small group coaching session with the professor. Participants of the masterclass will obtain a St Andrews-branded certificate of participation. They will also have the opportunity to publish their reflections/assignments in CILTER’s in-house journal, St Andrews Journal of International and Language Education (SAJILE).

Why do I want to join?

The St Andrews Professorial Masterclasses offer language teaching professionals a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and practical insights from world-leading experts in Applied Linguistics and Language Education. Whether you are an early-career teacher seeking to strengthen your pedagogical foundation or an experienced educator looking to stay current with the latest developments in the field, these masterclasses provide:

• Expert-led learning: Access to exclusive content developed by internationally renowned professors, unavailable on any other platform
• Flexible, self-paced study: Pre-recorded mini-lectures and activities that fit around your teaching schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace
• Research-informed practice: Evidence-based approaches to language teaching that you can immediately apply in your classroom
• Community connection: Live “fireside chat” sessions that enable you to engage directly with leading academics and connect with fellow language educators worldwide
• Personalised support: One-on-one or small group coaching sessions for tailored professional/research guidance
• Professional recognition: A University of St Andrews certificate of participation and the opportunity to publish your reflections in CILTER’s academic journal (SAJILE)
• Exceptional value: High-quality professional development from a top-ranked UK university at an affordable price

Where will the masterclasses be held?

Apart from the “fireside chat” and the coaching session, all content will be pre-recorded. Pre-recorded mini-lectures, reading materials, and class activities will be accessed through Miro. The live “fireside chat” and coaching will be held on Microsoft Teams/Zoom and will be recorded for participants to review.

How will I be charged?

Participants have three registration options:

• Option 1: £30 for the recorded elements (a total of 5 hours of content)
• Option 2: £40 for recorded elements and live “fireside chat”
• Option 3: £60 for recorded elements, live “fireside chat”, and one-on-one/small group coaching (this option is only available if the professor agrees to offering coaching)

CILTER supports educators’ professional development through research engagement. We aim to offer affordable courses to education professionals, many of whom are on precarious and short-term contracts. The registration fee is £30 for each masterclass, giving participants access to 5 hours of learning content.

There is an option to pay an additional fee for a live “fireside chat” and a small group/one-on-one coaching session.

Current St Andrews staff and students are eligible for a 50% discount for all registration options. Choose the “St A Staff & Students” options on the registration page.

What is the next masterclass?