Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Teach English in college-level ESL programs, help adult learners, including immigrants and refugees and share your skills internationally at any educational level.
Enable Global Communication
The teaching English to speakers of other languages master's program is recognized as the terminal professional degree for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in national and international ESL/ENL (English as a New Language) education. Expand your career opportunities and empower learners around the world with this in-demand degree.
Cross-Continental Career
Rob Martin, EdM ’01, discovered his vocation and love of the profession three decades ago as a young college graduate, volunteering to teach English at a school in rural Kenya. From there, his career unfolded gradually and unexpectedly as he went on to work with government workers in the mountains of Thailand and university students in a South Korean port city.
Points of Distinction
Gain a strong foundation in TESOL through comprehensive coursework covering areas such as teaching methodology, second language acquisition, and pedagogical grammar. This program includes a semester-long practicum, providing experience in classrooms to refine teaching skills.
Develop a practical, research-informed approach to teaching by engaging with current theory and research in applied linguistics, educational theory and second language acquisition. This approach integrates best practices ensuring that your teaching methods are effective.
Engage with peers from diverse educational fields whish fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and learning. These interactions provide valuable perspectives and insights, enriching your understanding of various teaching methods and educational approaches.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Master of Education (EdM) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 33 |
| Time to completion | 2 to 3 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines Spring: Nov. 1, then rolling until Jan. 10 Fall: Feb. 1, then rolling until Aug. 10 |
Required Courses (15-18 Credits)
- LAI 581 Linguistics for L2 Educators
- LAI 591 TESOL Methods and Materials
- LAI 582 Principles Lang Acquisition, 1st & 2nd
- LAI 594 Pedagogical Grammar of English
- LAI 685 Academic Language Writing/Literacy
- LAI 691 TESOL Practicum
Students with adequate preparation in linguistics may waive LAI 581 Linguistics for L2 Educators, which will allow you to take a 3-hour graduate elective in lieu of this course. Consult with your advisor.
Academic Language Writing/Literacy is required for international students unless waived by your advisor.
Select at Least 3 Courses (9 Credits)
- LAI 681 Understanding & Teaching L2 Culture
- LAI 682 Assessing Second Lang. Proficiency
- LAI 579 ESL Literacy: Reading Focus
- LAI 585 L2 Literacy: Focus Writing
Other courses in the L2 area offered by L2 faculty (consult with your advisor)
Electives (6-9 Credits)
Elective courses may be inside or outside the second language area of the Department of Learning and Instruction, including such areas as: anthropology, comparative education, educational psychology, foreign languages, historical/social/philosophical foundations of education, instructional communications, linguistics, reading, language arts or bilingual education.
Comprehensive Examination
You will take your comprehensive exam during your second or third semester of coursework. Consult with your advisor.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Contact information for at least two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Career goals statement: a clearly-written personal statement that speaks to your career goals, explaining your commitment to college teaching, and addressing an educational or social issue in college teaching of personal interest.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper- based test and 96 for internet-based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Teach in:
- college-level ESL programs
- adult-level ESL programs
- all levels internationally