language background

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), MA

Overview

Pursue your passion for language education through the Master of Arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in Western Michigan University's College of Education and Human Development. This program is designed specifically for educators who are ready to advance their careers and become leaders in supporting English language learners.

his online program offers a range of benefits, from career advancement opportunities to gaining expert knowledge and practical skills. You'll learn the latest theories and research in second language acquisition to effectively meet the needs of a diverse student population and gain the skills to create effective instructional methods and analyze materials to help students thrive. With this degree, you'll gain the tools to open up new worlds of opportunity for students, making a lasting impact through language.

For those who already hold a teaching certificate, completing this program makes you eligible for the Michigan Department of Education's ESL endorsement.

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Meet Melissa

A graduate of the TESOL master's program, Melissa had the opportunity at WMU to work with refugee minors in their ESL classroom.

  • Career advancement: The program prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities, including roles as an ESL teacher in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, or as a district ESL coach or coordinator.
  • Professional endorsement: If you already have an initial teaching certificate, completing this program makes you eligible for the Michigan Department of Education's ESL endorsement.
  • Flexibility: The program is offered entirely online, providing the flexibility to pursue your degree from anywhere.
  • Faculty engagement: 100% of graduates in the TESOL program had instructors who made them excited about learning.

Dive into the world of TESOL with a curriculum that builds your expertise from the ground up. You'll begin by mastering core principles and linguistic foundations before moving on to advanced teaching methods and assessments. The program culminates in a capstone project where you apply your knowledge to a real-world topic. You can also personalize your learning by choosing an elective that aligns with your specific interests.

The Accelerated TESOL Program at Western Michigan University offers an exciting path to get your master's degree sooner. As a qualified undergraduate, you can start taking graduate-level courses in your senior year. This allows up to 12 graduate credits to count toward both your bachelor's and master's degrees, significantly reducing the time it takes to complete your graduate studies. This program is ideal for motivated students who want to fast-track their education and career. Contact the program coordinator for more details.

  • Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • One-page statement explaining applicant's interest in this master's degree program.
  • Three references - contact information only.
  • Meet university requirements for graduate level admissions for domestic and international students.
  • For international students, minimum iBT TOEFL score of 89 with a minimum subscore of 20 for writing or a minimum IELTS score of 7 with a minimum subscore of 6 for writing. Provisional admission would require a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 79 and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

Get ahead!

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Accelerated Graduate Degree Program

The accelerated TESOL master's program at Western Michigan University offers an exciting path to get your master's degree sooner. As a qualified undergraduate, you can start taking graduate-level courses in your senior year. This allows up to 12 graduate credits to count toward both your bachelor's and master's degrees, significantly reducing the time it takes to complete your graduate studies. This program is ideal for motivated students who want to fast-track their education and career. 

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