The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is offered as a result of a local, national, and international demand for persons prepared to perform various services in English as a foreign or second language. This concentration includes work in literature and foreign languages, with electives in education and the social sciences, as well as specialized work at an advanced level in linguistics and language teaching. The concentration provides training for teachers and a suitable background for supervisors and others responsible for the preparation of materials and courses of study in English as a foreign or second language.
Completion of the M.A. in English TESOL program may not fulfill the requirements for teacher credentialing in the State of California; some California credentials may require additional coursework and/or examinations.
The Master of Arts with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) prepares students specifically to teach English to non-native speakers of the language. Most graduates of the program become TESOL classroom teachers in adult education classes, public schools, intensive language programs, and colleges either in the United States or foreign countries. Others choose jobs in related areas such as program administration, curriculum design, materials writing, and teacher training.
Career Outlook
Depending on students' choices of subject matter focus and/or skills electives, students would be prepared for entry-level jobs as writers, editors, desktop or multimedia publishers, information developers and designers, and/or communications managers producing and overseeing technical documentation, content management systems, training or support materials, reports or proposals, and promotions or publicity.
Graduate Programs in English
Advising is central to the program. Students must see their advisors to shape their programs initially, to gain approval for course choices, and to prepare for the oral examination. For more detailed information on obtaining advising, please contact the English department graduate secretary.
All M.A. candidates who wish to receive the Single Subject Teaching Credential concurrently with the M.A. should confer with an appropriate advisor in the College of Education.