Are you curious about other languages and eager to help learners succeed as they use English? Do you want to work to remove language barriers in society? Our graduate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) will prepare you to work with people from different languages and cultures and encourage positive change in societies.
With a master's in TESOL, you'll gain the skills you need to teach English in the U.S. or abroad, or work in other language-related careers. Graduates of our program have gone on to find jobs in immigrant services, test development, literacy program administration, international student advising, interpretation and translation, and program evaluation, as well as in teaching.
You can also use this degree as preparation for doctoral studies in Applied Linguistics, Linguistics, and other language fields.
PSU's MA TESOL also offers specialized academic tracks so that you can pursue your goals with more flexibility:
- The Teaching track prepares students for teaching, providing them with the knowledge and skills to be an effective, adaptable teacher.
- The Applied Linguistics track prepares students for language-related careers outside the classroom.
- You can also choose between a thesis or a culminating experience portfolio to complete your degree. A thesis allows you to pursue a topic in-depth and do your own original research, while the portfolio allows you to polish your projects, resume, and writing samples from the program, so you'll graduate ready for job interviews.
In our two-year program, you will gain practical skills as well as develop a thorough knowledge of how humans use languages and how you can analyze interactions. Unlike some programs that just train you in specific teaching techniques, PSU's program provides you with a foundational skillset, so you can figure out for yourself how to be effective in new contexts.