Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, MTESOL
Are you excited about language and eager for an international career teaching English? Are you an in-service teacher needing to brush up your TESOL knowledge and skills? Our dynamic program will equip you to teach English anywhere in the world, on your terms.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Program description
If you seek to build a career in the international field of teaching English as a second or additional language, the Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program is designed for you. This program empowers you with scholarly and professional knowledge in four core areas: language, learning, teaching and research.
You dive into a wide variety of key topics that reflect the latest trends and challenges in language education, such as second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning, critical pedagogy, curriculum design, global Englishes, English grammar, intercultural rhetoric, discourse analysis, second language phonology and more. You are equipped with the expertise to thrive in research and practical application, and in various educational settings.
Why study teaching English to speakers of other languages at ASU?
Designed with working professionals in mind, the MTESOL offers a flexible schedule that you can complete in as little as 15 to 18 months or at a pace that fits your professional and personal commitments.
Learn from internationally recognized scholars who hold leadership and editorial posts at major international presses, journals and societies. Program graduates have gone on to TESOL-related roles in teaching, teacher training and consulting --- locally, nationally and internationally.
You may also be eligible to apply for funding to pursue research, professional development, conference participation and collaborative projects.
Additional details
Connect beyond the classroom through active student communities. The CALL Club at ASU supports an interest in computer-assisted language learning (also known as CALL) and the pursuit of the CALL certificate, while the SparkLing Club at ASU fosters a collaborative community if you are drawn to linguistics, language learning and education, providing networking, professional development, research collaboration and social engagement to support your academic and career goals.
You can also join the Graduate Scholars of English Association, the official organization representing graduate students in the Department of English.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (LIN 597) and a foreign language exam
Required Core (12 credit hours) Other Requirement (3 credit hours) Electives or Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The capstone is overseen by a director chosen from the Department of English linguistics and TESOL faculty.
LIN 501 Approaches to Research (3)
LIN 510 Linguistics (3)
LIN 520 Second-Language Acquisition Theories (3)
LIN 521 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
LIN 584 Internship (3)
LIN 597 MTESOL Capstone (3)
The foreign language requirement must be completed during the program before the master's degree is awarded.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply theories and pedagogical knowledge to evaluate and create real-world teaching, materials development, or related professional practices in TESOL.
- Synthesize and apply theories, research and key concepts in second language learning and development.
- Evaluate and apply theories, key concepts, methods and materials in second language teaching.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants may have undergraduate majors in the following fields, but are not limited to these: anthropology, applied linguistics, cognitive science, communication, comparative languages and literatures, education, English literature, history and law. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Applicants must submit a one-page, single-spaced, well-considered statement of purpose in which they explain how their experience and training have prepared them for the program, their aims and purposes in pursuing the MTESOL degree, and their plans for the future. Two letters of recommendation are required. A third letter is optional. Because the letters should provide a clear picture of the applicant's potential for successfully completing a master's degree, at least one of the letters should be from a university professor who is familiar with the applicant's academic work and with master's-level academic programs.
An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applications are not processed without valid proof of English proficiency; official scores must be sent to ASU for the application to be processed.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 07/22 | Final* |
| Session A/C | Online | 07/23 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 09/16 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/14 | Final* |
| Session A/C | Online | 12/15 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 02/16 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 04/20 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 06/03 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this teaching English to speakers of other languages degree prepares you for
With TESOL professionals in high demand both in the U.S. and internationally, graduates' specialized skills make them sought-after candidates in a variety of fields. The ability to teach, design curriculum or consult on language programs can lead to exciting career paths in diverse settings. Students can learn more about the benefits of online English language learning master's degrees athttps://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/english-language-learning-masters-degree?edu-2401-variation=true.
Career examples include:
- adult education teacher
- consultant
- educational materials designer or developer
- English language or foreign language teacher
- international aid worker
- program and curriculum developer
- refugee English coordinator
- teacher trainer
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of English
|
RBHL 170
enggrad@asu.edu
480-965-3168
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

