In the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program, you will learn how to empower diverse populations of English language learners with sensitivity toward sociopolitical, economic, cultural, and educational contexts. You will develop a rich balance of linguistic knowledge, pedagogical skill, cultural competency, research proficiency, and spiritual development. Your M.A. in TESOL will help you advance to the next level of teaching in colleges, universities, mission organizations, and language schools around the globe. If you want to increase your impact, to sharpen your skills, and to deepen your faith, pursuing your M.A. in TESOL at Multnomah is the next step for you.

Ways to study

Graduate | On-campus | Online

Program concentrations

Standard Track | Continued Studies Track

Course plan

2-year

Application deadlines

Field Experience & Serving the Community

Practical hands-on teaching is a vital part of the MU TESOL experience. TESOL student-teaching provides teaching experience in an authentic English-language learning classroom. You will have the option to complete the practicum requirement by teaching community language learners on-campus or teaching anywhere in the world with an internet connection. A faculty mentor will be assigned to work with you every step of the way, no matter where your journey takes you. You may also choose to participate in an MU-sponsored English Bible camp in Japan.

TESOL_Kristyn Kidney

Example Courses

The courses listed below are some of our featured core classes that will be a part of your educational journey here at MU. Take a look at each course and start imagining the possibilities.

This course is designed to explore the influences between language and culture through the field of sociolinguistics. It will lead students to examine how learning experiences can be affected by cultural tendencies and expectations, and how learning about a target language culture enhances successful second language acquisition. This course will also review the diversity of comparative educational systems. These themes will all be connected to practical teaching strategies and implications.

Exploring the elements of authentic language skill assessment will be the focus of this course. Components of this course will include theoretical foundations of authentic assessment, the development of valid and reliable assessment instruments, and methods of implementing and maintaining on-going evaluation of student learning.

The course will examine general issues in first language acquisition but will spend the majority of time focusing on second language acquisition processes. Topics will include language development through the preschool years, the role of the first language in adult second language acquisition (SLA), interlanguage, error analysis, individual differences, learner strategies, language universals, and the role of instruction in second language learning. It is recommended to take LIN 556 concurrently with LIN 554.

The practicum serves to give students teaching experience in an authentic English-language learning classroom. Students will also meet with faculty and classroom teachers to assist in processing and integration previously learned material with their present experience. This practicum can be completed on-campus through our community ESOL classes. It can also be fulfilled through other teaching assignments including area colleges, community organizations, on-campus English & culture camp, or a study abroad experience.

Degree Requirements

Here you will find everything you need to know about what is required to successfully complete your degree.

Course Layout
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Meet Your Professors

kristyn kidney headshot
Kristyn Kidney, M.A.
Assistant Professor and Chair, TESOL; Director, Master of Arts in TESOL

Program Concentrations

This track is designed for students who have not previously obtained a TESOL degree. The program will equip learners to become effective English language teachers in a variety of contexts in the U.S. and around the world.

This track is designed for students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in TESOL. This program allows students to continue their studies in the TESOL field while building on their previous studies. The continued studies track will equip learners to become effective English language teachers in a variety of contexts in the U.S. and around the world.

Career Placement

Whether you are looking to teach overseas or in the US, the demand for highly trained English language teachers is on the rise. With your Master of Arts in TESOL, you will be equipped for a variety of roles, such as:

• ESOL Instructor • Teacher Abroad • Missionary
• Textbook or Materials Writer • Online Language Teacher • Academic Advisor
• ESOL Program Director

Explore more opportunities within our TESOL Program

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