Major Undergraduate

Secondary Teaching English


Study mode
Full Time Part Time
Study mode
Full Time
Murdoch code
MJ-STE
What is a Major?
A major is your primary area of focus within a degree. It determines the core subjects you'll study and the skills you'll master.

Major overview

Inspire a love of language and literature as a secondary English teacher 

Study the Secondary English Teaching major within our Bachelor of Education (Secondary Teaching) and learn from caring educators how to help students develop the essential skills to understand ideas, express perspectives and connect with the world around them through language. 

You’ll build the knowledge and classroom skills to teach English in secondary schools from Years 7 to 10, as well as English and English Literature for Years 11 and 12, supporting students to analyse texts, craft their own writing and communicate with confidence. 

Throughout your English teaching studies, you’ll explore literature, language and communication while learning how to design engaging lessons that encourage interpretation, discussion and creative expression. You’ll focus on helping students respond to a range of texts, develop their own voice and think critically about the ideas they encounter. 

Build classroom confidence in a simulated environment using our SimLab™ virtual classroom technology, where you’ll practise responding to real teaching scenarios, leading discussions, supporting diverse learners and adapting your teaching strategies. 

You’ll then apply your skills during professional placements across a wide range of education settings, including metropolitan, rural and remote schools, as well as international, multicultural, hospital, private and state school environments. 

As part of your secondary education degree, you’ll also select a second teaching area from English, Mathematics, Biological Science, Earth and Environmental Science or Secondary Education Support to broaden your teaching opportunities. 

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed a professional online teaching portfolio showcasing your lesson plans, teaching resources and reflections, and gained the practical experience to begin a rewarding teaching career.
Education student presenting to a primary school class

3 reasons to study English teaching at Murdoch University

  1. Practise teaching strategies before entering the classroom using SimLab™, our virtual classroom technology that allows you to rehearse real teaching scenarios. 
  2. Gain experience across diverse learning environments through placements in metropolitan, rural, remote, international, multicultural, hospital, private and state schools. 
  3. Graduate with a professional teaching portfolio demonstrating your lesson planning, classroom practice and teaching approach to future employers.

What you’ll learn

  • Design engaging English lessons that explore literature, language and communication. 
  • Guide students in analysing a wide range of texts, from classic literature to contemporary media. 
  • Help students develop writing skills across different forms and purposes. 
  • Encourage critical thinking, interpretation and discussion of ideas and perspectives. 
  • Support students to communicate clearly and confidently in written and spoken forms. 
  • Create inclusive classroom environments that support diverse learners.

I think if you want to make change, then you need to be looking for places that enable you to show that you care. And Murdoch did that. Murdoch did that for me.

Jason Pitman, Education
Read full student story

Jason, Murdoch Student, with teaching staff in Murdoch building
Education student with children playing sports

Your future career in teaching 

Study our Secondary English Teaching major and become an English teacher, qualified to teach secondary students, including English and English Literature to Years 11 and 12. Combined with a second teaching area, this qualification prepares you for a wide range of teaching careers across government and independent schools, specialist education programs and diverse learning environments. 

Potential roles include: 

  • Secondary school English teacher 
  • English and English Literature ATAR teacher 
  • Literacy specialist 
  • Curriculum or subject coordinator 
  • Head of Learning Area (HOLA) 
  • Education program developer 
For more details about our Secondary English Teaching major, download our information pack.

Start dates

Starting period Location Face to Face Online Mixed mode
Semester 1, 2026 Murdoch Yes Yes No
Semester 2, 2026 Murdoch Yes Yes No
Semester 1, 2027 Murdoch Yes Yes No
Semester 2, 2027 Murdoch Yes Yes No

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Major Structure

Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code Unit name Credit points

How to Apply

Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Education (Secondary Teaching)

Ready to inspire the next generation? This teaching degree will give you valuable experience and a competitive edge to launch your secondary teaching career.

Have a question? Get in touch.

1300 687 3624

1300 687 3624

1300 687 3624

Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry

Live chat

Live chat

Live chat