Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, MTESOL
Program Description
Degree Awarded: MTESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
The MTESOL program is for individuals who desire to build a career in the international field of teaching English as a second or additional language. Students develop scholarly and professional knowledge and skills in four central areas: language, learning, teaching and research.
Students have opportunities to study a variety of key topics, including second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning, critical pedagogy, curriculum design, global Englishes, teaching English as an international language, English for specific purposes, English grammar, intercultural rhetoric, discourse analysis, interlanguage pragmatics, language and identity, language testing and assessment, learning transfer, materials development, non-native English speakers in TESOL, second language phonology and second language writing.
Matthew Prior, Director
Elizabeth Downs, Program Manager (MTESOL Online)
Samantha Franze, Graduate Academic Advisor (MTESOL On-Ground)
Faculty in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
The master's degree program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is for individuals who wish to build a career in the international field of English language teaching. Through this program, students will develop scholarly and professional understanding in four main areas that are central to TESOL: language, learning, research methods, and teaching methods.
Students will have opportunities to study a variety of important topics, including computer assisted language learning, critical pedagogy, curriculum design, English as an international language, English for academic purposes, English grammar and grammar for TESOL, intercultural rhetoric, interlanguage pragmatics, language and identity, language testing and assessment, learning transfer, materials development, nonnative English speakers in TESOL, second language acquisition, second language phonology, second language writing, and World Englishes.
Graduates of the MTESOL program have been successful in finding employment in a variety of TESOL-related positions locally, nationally, and internationally.
Note: The MTESOL program does not offer certification to teach in US K-12 public schools. For more information on certification to teach in the Arizona public school system, current students may contact the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at GradEdPrep@asu.edu. You may also want to view ASU's licensure information or MLFTC's student success site. For other licensure requirements, please contact your state’s Department of Education.
When students list their degree and other credentials on a CV or other documents, it is important that they use the official degree name: MTESOL, Master of TESOL, Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Using a similar but incorrect name such as "MA in TESOL" or "MA in ESL" creates not only confusion but may be interpreted as falsely representing credentials.
Prospective applicants interested in supporting bilingual and multilingual students in PreK-12 contexts in the US may wish to explore the online Master of Arts in Education (educating multilingual learners) through Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Culture of Respect: Graduate students are expected to treat their peers, faculty, and staff with respect and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Disrespectful behavior on the part of students toward any member of the ASU community will not be tolerated. Students can expect to be treated with courtesy and professionalism, and the same is expected of them. Students are welcome to contact the department with any questions or concerns.
The Tempe campus and ASU Online Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MTESOL) degrees have specific information related to the campus the student is attending. See the Handbook for detailed information.
Accelerated Degree Option (4 + 1)
Accelerated master's (previously called 4+1) degree programs combining undergraduate and graduate coursework in your senior year for dual credit, you'll save up to an entire year of schooling and receive both degrees in as little as five years.
Degree Requirements
Curriculum Plan Options
- 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (LIN 597) and a foreign language exam
Required Core (12 credit hours)
LIN 501 Approaches to Research (3)
LIN 510 Linguistics (3)
LIN 520 Second-Language Acquisition Theories (3)
LIN 521 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
Other Requirement (3 credit hours)
LIN 584 Internship (3)
Electives or Research (12 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
LIN 597 Capstone (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
The foreign language requirement must be completed during the program prior to the master's degree being awarded.
The capstone is overseen by a director chosen from the Department of English linguistics and TESOL faculty.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants may have undergraduate majors in the following fields, but are not limited to these: anthropology, applied linguistics, cognitive science, communication, comparative languages and literatures, education, English literature, history and law.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- resume
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applications will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency; official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.
Applicants must submit a one-page, single-spaced, well-considered statement of purpose in which they explain how their experience and training have prepared them for the program, their aims and purposes in pursuing the MTESOL degree, and their plans for the future.
Two letters of recommendation are required. A third letter is optional. The letters should provide a clear picture of the applicant's potential for successfully completing a master's degree, so at least one of the letters should be from a university professor who is familiar with the applicant's academic work and with master's level academic programs.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
BA - English (Linguistics)
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
Next Steps to attend ASU
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Spring
Summer
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate and apply theories, key concepts, methods and materials in second language teaching.
- Apply theories and pedagogical knowledge to evaluate and create real-world teaching, materials development, or related professional practices in TESOL.
- Synthesize and apply theories, research and key concepts in second language learning and development.
Career Opportunities
Language professionals with training and expertise in TESOL remain in high demand in the U.S. and abroad. TESOL-related skills are valuable in businesses and institutions, as well as to individuals of a wide range of linguistic and cultural contexts who rely on the ability to learn, teach and communicate effectively in a globally connected world.
Career examples include:
- adult education teacher
- consultant
- English language or foreign language teacher
- international aid worker
- materials designer or developer
- program and curriculum developer
- refugee English coordinator
- teacher trainer
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- enggrad@asu.edu
- 480/965-3168