About This Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language is designed for current ESL educators. This program provides advanced training in pedagogical theory and practice. Read more...

Contact Information

• Mark Bracher, Ph.D. | mbracher@kent.edu | 330-672-2665
• Bee Viton | bviton@kent.edu | 330-672-1708

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic criteria and other specific program criteria.

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: January 15
    Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
ENG 63001	METHODOLOGY OF TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE	3
ENG 63033	THEORIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION	3
ENG 63040	LINGUISTICS FOR THE LANGUAGE PROFESSIONS	3
ENG 63041	DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH	3
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:		24-36
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
TESL Education Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		36-48

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
ENG 63034	SOCIOLINGUISTICS	3
or ENG 63047	HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
or ENG 63048	SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
ENG 68492	PRACTICUM IN TEACHING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS	3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 1		18
ENG 63034	SOCIOLINGUISTICS 2
ENG 63038	TEACHING LITERATURE AND CULTURE
ENG 63039	SECOND LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT
ENG 63043	SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING
ENG 63044	SECOND LANGUAGE READING
ENG 63045	ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
ENG 63046	SECOND LANGUAGE LISTENING AND SPEAKING
ENG 63047	HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING 2
ENG 63048	SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION 2
ENG 63049	SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH METHODS
ENG 63391	SEMINAR: LINGUISTICS
ENG 69199	THESIS I
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		24

¹

Students may use 6 credit hours in appropriate graduate courses in other departments with approval of department advisor toward the 18 credit hour requirement.

²

Students may choose these courses if not chosen above.

TESL Education Concentration Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Concentration Requirements
CI 67105	IMPROVING CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION	3
CI 67310	THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE TEACHING OF READING	3
or CI 67330	READING IN CONTENT AREAS
ENG 63044	SECOND LANGUAGE READING	3
ENG 68592	PRACTICUM IN TEACHING P-12 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS 1,2	3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:		15
CI 60169	UNDERSTANDING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
CI 60171	TEACHING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
CI 61130	MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION: STRATEGIES
ENG 63034	SOCIOLINGUISTICS
ENG 63038	TEACHING LITERATURE AND CULTURE
ENG 63039	SECOND LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT
ENG 63043	SECOND LANGUAGE WRITING
ENG 63045	ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
ENG 63046	SECOND LANGUAGE LISTENING AND SPEAKING
ENG 63047	HERITAGE LANGUAGES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
ENG 63048	SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY AND FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
ENG 63049	SECOND LANGUAGE RESEARCH METHODS
EPSY 65524	LEARNING THEORIES
Culminating Requirement
ENG 51525	INQUIRY INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3	3
ENG 53392	STUDENT TEACHING 2,3,4	6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		36

¹

Students complete 100 hours of field work as teacher assistants in area schools, which enable them to gain collaborative clinical experience as P-12 teachers.

²

Prior to enrollment in ENG 53392 and ENG 68592, students must be evaluated satisfactorily on non-academic  dimensions, including completing background checks and modules. Further information is available in the Office of Graduate Student Services.

³

ENG 51525 and ENG 53392 must be taken concurrently.

⁴

During students' full-time student teaching assignment, they are assessed on professional dispositions, understanding of codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to TESL and work with English language learners. In the school context, students are assessed data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilization and support of appropriate technology for the discipline; and understanding of laws related to English language learners.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary

Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
-	3.000

• All students in the M.A. degree complete a capstone project with options of a thesis or portfolio or exams.
• All students in the M.A. degree cannot be concurrently enrolled in the Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language certificate. Students who hold either certificate may be permitted to apply 12 graduate credit hours earned in the certificate toward the M.A. degree.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Licensure Information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of different associated fields within teaching English as a second language, including linguistics, language acquisition, pedagogy and practice.
2. Demonstrate what knowledge of the field and disciplines making up teaching English as a second language.
3. Demonstrate skills in teaching.
4. Demonstrate understanding of different cultural norms and practices and the ability to accommodate teaching practices based on these differences.

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language is grounded in linguistic principles, language learning theory and empirical research on language learning and teaching. The program enables students to teach effectively in varied learning contexts. Students gain experience through a supervised practicum and have the opportunity to teach in a variety of English-as-a-second/foreign-language contexts. Graduates are prepared for international teaching and research, adult education, and advanced study in applied linguistics. literacy positions.

The Teaching English as a Second Language major includes the following optional concentration:

• The TESL Education concentration prepares students for P-12 school educators. Students' practicum takes place in area schools, and students prepare for the state licensure requirements.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.