How to Get a Master's Degree in ESL
Immigration and globalization ensure steady demand for skilled teachers of English as a second language (ESL). English is the lingua franca of global business and a necessary means of survival for recent immigrants to the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. In the United States alone, an estimated four million adults are studying ESL.
A master's degree in ESL prepares you to answer the call for skilled English teachers. Typically a two-year program, you can earn an MA in ELS both through traditional full-time degree programs and distance graduate education, which allows you to earn a master's degree online.
WorldWideLearn.com's introduction to the master's degree in ESL takes you through the critical period leading up to the program. This guide helps you build a foundation for success by focusing your goals and accessing the academic resources to achieve them.
Guide to Master's Degrees in ESL
The field of ESL evolved in recognition of the unique demands of teaching English as a second language. Bolstered by research in second language acquisition, the discipline is dedicated to the development of curricula and pedagogical methods for teaching English as a second language.
WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors includes a brief description of English as a Second Language Education in the Reading and Literacy section. For more information about the discipline, see Online Education Degrees in ESL.
Academic and Professional Master's Degrees
Academic and professional master's degrees in ESL may approach the discipline from different vantage points, but the degrees tend to overlap. All three degrees--the MA, MS, and MEd--incorporate some theoretical and some applied coursework, and all function as credentials for teaching ESL. The academic master's degrees, the MA and MS, focus on the theoretical foundations of the discipline, while the MEd favors teaching practice and educational research.
Master of Arts
The MA in ESL emphasizes applied linguistics research. Modeled on other academic graduate degrees, the MA culminates in a research project on a specific ESL problem or issue.
Master of Science in ESL Education
The MS in ESL education tends toward the social science end of the ESL spectrum, focusing on psychological or linguistic research. Like the MA, the MS features a significant independent research component.
Master of Education
The Master of Education (MEd) emphasizes the educational research and applied pedagogy of teaching ESL. The MEd in ESL overlaps with academic master's degrees, but adopts a more focused, pre-professional approach to ESL teaching.
To learn more about the differences among master's degrees, see The Master's Degree Explained.
Specializations within ESL
ESL specializations run the gamut from theory to teaching practice. Choose among these options:
Theory
- Second language acquisition: A cognitive linguistics specialty, second language acquisition studies the processes and stages individuals go through as they learn a new language.
- Discourse analysis: This field studies the various dimensions and structures characteristic of English discourse, including intonation, gesture, syntax, and language use.
- Sociolinguistics: The intersection of culture and language yields interesting insights for ESL teaching. Sociolinguistic studies typically study a specific population of non-native speakers and analyze implications for English language education.
Linguistic Practice
- Reading and Composition: The study of the written word, ESL reading and composition focuses on unique features of English composition and techniques for teaching students to read and write in English.
- Grammar: This specialization takes a close look at the structure and syntax of the English language, with an eye to teaching grammatical rules to ESL students.
- Phonology: This field includes the study of intonation and speech sounds in language. This specialization focuses on the application of phonological principles to help advanced ESL students refine their English pronunciation.
Teaching Practice
- Pedagogy: This specialization focuses on developing effective methods for teaching English as a second language to various groups, including K-12 students and adults.
- Curriculum Design: This pedagogical field applies education research to improve the ESL curriculum, setting standards of achievement and structuring the learning progress.
Many master's programs encourage students to develop their own specialized research topic. These specializations may focus on a specific ESL constituency, cultural background, or a linguistic phenomenon.
Career Paths with a Master's in ESL
Whether you earn an online master's in ESL or study on campus, most roads lead to the ESL classroom. Graduates of ESL master's degree programs can choose among the following ESL teaching career options:
- ESL instructor
- ESL program director
- ESL curriculum developer
- ESL testing and evaluation specialist
- ESL textbook author
- Computational linguistics expert
Alternatively, you can pursue an academic career in ESL scholarship and teacher training by going on to a PhD in ESL or applied linguistics.
Outlook
Demand for ESL teachers and administrators is on the rise, driven by immigration, globalization, and an emphasis on advanced English communication skills in the workplace. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Significant employment growth is anticipated especially for ESOL teachers." Some of the highest-paid ESL opportunities are in business specialties such as banking, healthcare, sciences, or computing. So-called ESP (English for Special Purposes) roles focus on the specialized terminology and English usage in a particular field and can pay up to $50 an hour.
Plan for a Master's Degree in ESL
Understanding the educational resources available to you can help you find the right program and get started on your path to an ESL career. The following steps lead you through the process of preparing for a master's degree, from researching schools to submitting applications to becoming a graduate student.
Step One: Find the Right Graduate ESL Program
Graduate ESL programs typically exist under the auspices of another department--English, Linguistics, or Education. Since each master's degree adopts a slightly different approach to ESL education, finding the right fit for your interests may take some detective work.
1. Find Accredited ESL Programs
Begin your research by developing a list of graduate ESL programs, keeping in mind the different "aliases" for English as a Second Language. Some of the degree names you may encounter are:
- Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- Master of Arts in English with a TESOL emphasis
- Master of Science in Applied Linguistics
- Master of Education in ESL (English as a Second Language)
- Master of Education in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Be sure that any program you consider is accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting body. Accreditation ensures the quality of your education and the value of your degree--and can factor into your eligibility for financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a searchable database of approved accreditation agencies.
Resources
TESOL, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, publishes a print Directory of Teacher Education Programs in TESOL in the United States and Canada as well as an online list of Master's Degree Programs in TESOL.
WorldWideLearn.com's list of online ESL degree programs features links to accredited graduate programs.
U.S. News & World Report publishes an annually-updated A-Z List of Best Education Schools.
2. Decide Whether to Earn a Master's Degree Online or On Campus
Since a high proportion of graduate ESL students are working professionals, many programs are designed to accommodate busy schedules. The option to earn a master's degree online makes graduate education accessible to mid-career adults looking to boost their credentials. Campus programs still offer the advantage of access to faculty and research facilities, but online master's degrees offer alternatives such as digital library access and temporary campus residencies.
Resources
WorldWideLearn.com's Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections help you explore your program format options. Browse online master's in ESL programs, or search Degrees by Location for campus programs in your area.
3. Explore Academic Programs
Once the essential features are in place, you're ready to move on to the heart of your program research: finding a fit with the academic program. Each MA or MS in ESL program features a unique array of resources, including faculty experts, departmental affiliations, and courses offered.
Take into account the following factors as you evaluate academic programs:
- Faculty: If you plan to pursue a particular research interest, it's crucial to choose a school with faculty in your field. Faculty mentorship and collaborative research are an important component of academic master's programs.
- Department: The degree's departmental affiliation--linguistics, English, or education--suggests the emphasis and perspective of the program.
- Curriculum: A list of required and elective courses offers a sense of the program's approach to ESL education.
- Degree format: In addition to courses, ESL master's degrees may feature a capstone research project, teaching practicum, laboratory requirement, etc.
WorldWideLearn.com streamlines your program research by offering information about a number of schools offering an MA, MS, or MEd in ESL. You can compare schools directly on WorldWideLearn.com.
School Web sites offer a wealth of information about the program's academic resources. Look for course descriptions, faculty bios and publications, graduate student thesis topics, and special programs such as teaching internships.
Informational interviews with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students yield an unbiased impression about the quality of the education experience and the value of the degree. You can also visit the campus to explore school facilities and local resources firsthand.
4. Evaluate Program Quality
Finally, rank the programs on your list by quality and selectivity. This can help you gauge which schools offer the best value and favorable admissions prospects. You can gauge your own competitiveness as an applicant by matching your GPA and test scores to the selectivity data reported by your target schools.
Evaluate program quality by considering:
- Reputation of the school
- Acceptance rate
- Job placement and salary statistics
- Career support services
- Student background, including academic record and years of teaching experience
Resources
Admissions Departments collect data on the average GPA and test scores of admitted applicants, as well as job placement statistics upon graduation. In addition, some departments publish student demographic information.
Reputation is a bit more difficult to gauge. Ask your undergraduate advisor for recommendations, or consult a university ranking publication.
Step Two: Apply to Graduate ESL Programs
With your list of target programs in hand, you're ready to begin the application process. Graduate ESL programs feature some standard requirements, including:
1. Prerequisites
To be eligible for an on-campus or online master's in ESL, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field such as English, linguistics, communications, or education
- Some programs require prerequisite undergraduate courses in core subjects such as English or education. Check with an admissions counselor for these requirements.
- Standardized tests, including the GRE and TOEFL (for international students)
WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide helps you complete prerequisites, including links to test preparation resources, prerequisite courses, and more.
2. Prepare Application Materials
In addition to an online application, graduate ESL programs typically require:
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation from academic advisors or professional colleagues
- GRE and TOEFL (if applicable) test scores
- Personal statement
- Resume
3. Apply for Financial Aid
A master's degree in ESL is an investment in your future. Nevertheless, most graduate students rely on financial aid to cover their expenses. Sources of graduate education funding, include:
- Grants and scholarships. Universities, private foundations, or the federal government may cover part of the cost of your education.
- Teaching assistantships. The university offers a stipend and tuition benefits in exchange for serving as a graduate student instructor in undergraduate classes.
- School-sponsored teacher education. Your ESL employer may cover some of the cost of your degree.
- Loans. The federal government offers a low-interest subsidized student loan, the Stafford loan. Banks and private lenders also offer student loans, usually with less favorable terms.
In addition to securing financial aid, you can reduce the cost of your education by working while you go to school. The option to earn a master's degree online makes it possible to manage graduate study alongside a work schedule.
Resources
Meet with financial aid advisors at your top-ranked programs to discuss your options.
Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This universal application covers all of your federal financial aid options.
Visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.
Step Three: Join the Academic Community
Becoming part of a community of scholars is an important part of a graduate education. Find like-minded ESL professionals by:
- Joining Professional Associations. TESOL is the major professional group for teachers of ESL. In addition, you'll find specialized groups such as the National Network for Early Language Learning and the Assembly for Teaching of English Grammar. For a comprehensive list, see the ESL/EFL Directory of Teachers' Organizations put together by Southern Illinois University.
- Reading Journals. TESOL publishes several journals. Also check out the Internet TESL journal, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Oxford University Press' ELT Journal.
- Attending Networking Events and Conferences. The annual TESOL Convention is the largest gathering of ESL instructors.
Start building academic relationships, and you'll develop an inside perspective on the issues and trends animating ESL today.
Conclusion
A successful journey to the master's degree begins with careful planning. Your two years in graduate school can expose you to a wealth of resources. To take full advantage of these opportunities, arrive with a clear sense of your academic interests and career direction. Armed with this perspective, you'll make good on your potential as an ESL teacher, researcher, or program leader.
Sources
- Best Education Schools, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
- Department of Global Studies, Sociology, and TESOL: Graduate Programs, Azusa Pacific University.
- English as a Second Language Master's Program, Purdue University.
- ESL/EFL Directory of Teachers' Organizations, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
- Gatehouse, Kristen. "Key Issues in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Curriculum Development," TESL Journal.
- Linguistics and ESL/TESOL, Grand Valley State University.
- M.A. in Applied Linguistics, UCLA Department of Applied Linguistics.
- MA in TESOL, The University of Texas at Arlington.
- "Master's Degree Programs in TESOL," TESOL.
- "Teachers--Adult Literacy and Remedial Education," Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, NYU Steinhardt.
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