Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Program Curriculum

This 36-credit master's degree is for those individuals who would like to teach in colleges, private schools, foreign countries or in Adult Basic Education (ABE) positions in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The program also benefits professionals licensed to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or bilingual education professionals.

Pre-Co-Requisites:
Required knowledge that may be obtained through coursework but credits will not count toward the master's degree in TESOL.
ENGL 320/520 Structure of English, 3 credits (or equivalent)
ENGL 355/522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits (or equivalent)
Demonstrated proficiency of a single foreign language (two years of high school study, four semesters of university study, or another means)

Required Courses (33 credits)
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 620 Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits (Prerequisite:
ENGL 651 Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
ENGL 675 Assessment and Testing in TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 701 Writing, Reading, and Presentation of Research in English as a Second Language, 3 credits
ENGL 720 Educational Linguistics, 3 credits
TESL 763 Words, Meaning and Vocabulary Teaching, 3 credits
TESL 765 Language and Culture, 3 credits
TESL 767 TESOL Reading, 3 credits
TESL 789 Topics in TESOL Teaching and Research, 3 credits
Plus, choose one of the following:
TESL 793 Plan B Master's Paper, 3 credits
ENGL 799 Thesis (Thesis Plan)

Electives (3 credits):
Choose one from:
ENGL 521 The English Language: History and Culture, 3 credits
ENGL 650 Non-Native Speakers of the Midwest, 3 credits
TESL 779 Internship, 3 credits
TESL 789 Topics in TESOL Teaching and Research, 3 credits

Note: Up to nine credits at the 500 level may be applied to the degree and no fewer than half of the credits applied to the degree must be at the 700 level.

Program Curriculum for Master's Degree and Initial Teaching License

Students who would like to earn their initial teaching license and then continue with their program of study to earn a master's degree in TESOL would begin by applying for admission to Teacher Education. Assuming all the prerequisites and corequisites have been fulfilled, completing both the teaching license requirements and the MA degree requires 58-64 credits of coursework plus 12 credits of student teaching for a total of 70-76 credits.

Prerequisites or corequisites:
Required knowledge that may be obtained through coursework but credits will not count toward the MA in TESOL.
ENGL 320 or ENGL 520 Structure of English, 3 credits
ENGL 322 or ENGL 522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits
Demonstrated proficiency of a single foreign language (two years of high school study, four semesters of university study, or another means)

Required TESOL Courses for the Teaching license, 18 credits:
ENGL 511 Intro. to Linguistics (may substitute ENGL 720 Educational Ling.), 3 credits
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 573 Techniques in Tutoring: Practicum (may substitute TESL 779, Internship), 3 credits
ENGL 620 Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits (Prerequisite: ENGL 520)
ENGL 675 Assessment and Testing in TESOL, 3 credits
TESL 767 Teaching ESOL Reading, 3 credits

Required Teacher Education Courses for the Teaching License, 16 credits:
TED 740* The Historical, Philosophical, & Multicultural Foundations of Ed., 4 credits
TED 745* Educational Psychology, 6 credits
SPED 530 The Exceptional Child, 3 credits
TED 428 Techniques of TESOL, 3 credits

In addition to these graduate-level courses, students will complete 12 credits of student teaching ( TED 472 Student Teaching in Elementary Education, TED 473 Student Teaching in Middle School, and TED 475 Student Teaching in Secondary Education) and a licensure portfolio as specified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. For more information on initial teaching licensure, visit the Teacher Education web page.

*In lieu of these courses, students may take the undergraduate-level courses TED 212, TED 420, and TED 252 or ENGL 252.

Additional TESOL Courses Required for the Master of Arts Degree, 18-21 credits
ENGL 651 Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
ENGL 701 Writing, Reading, Presenting Research, 3 credits
ENGL 720 Educational Linguistics, 3 credits (not required if already taken in place of ENGL 511 under teaching license)
TESL 763 Words, Meaning, and Vocabulary Teaching, 3 credits
TESL 765 Language and Culture, 3 credits
TESL 789 Topics in TESOL, 3 credits
TESL 793 Plan B Paper, 3 credits, or TESL 799 Plan A Paper, 3 credits

Electives (0-3 credits)
Chose one if TESL 779 has not been substituted for ENGL 573.
ENGL 521 The English Language: History and Culture, 3 credits, or
ENGL 650 Non-Native Speakers in the Midwest, 3 credits, or
TESL 779, Internship (if not substituted for 573 above), 3 credits, or
ENGL 789, Topics in TESOL (repeatable with different topics), 3 credits

Program Curriculum for Master's Degree and Additional Teaching License

Students who would like to earn an additional teaching license and then continue with their program of study to earn a master's degree in TESOL would begin by applying for admission to Teacher Education. Assuming all the prerequisites and corequisites have been fulfilled, completing both the additional teaching license requirements and the MA degree requires 42-48 credits of coursework plus 0-6 credits of student teaching, depending on the subject of the current license.

Prerequisites or corequisites:
Required knowledge that may be obtained through coursework but credits will not count toward the MA in TESOL.
ENGL 320 or ENGL 520 Structure of English, 3 credits
ENGL 322 or ENGL 522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits
Demonstrated proficiency of a single foreign language (two years of high school study, four semesters of university study, or another means)

Required TESOL Courses for the Teaching license, 18 credits:
ENGL 511 Intro. to Linguistics (may substitute ENGL 720 Educational Ling.), 3 credits
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 573 Techniques in Tutoring: Practicum (may substitute TESL 779, Internship), 3 credits
ENGL 620 Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits (Prerequisite: ENGL 520)
ENGL 675 Assessment and Testing in TESOL, 3 credits
TESL 767 Teaching ESOL Reading, 3 credits
TED 428 Techniques of TESOL, 3 credits

In addition to these courses, students will complete 0-6 credits of student teaching ( TED 472 Student Teaching in Elementary Education, TED 473 Student Teaching in Middle School, and TED 475 Student Teaching in Secondary Education) and a licensure portfolio as specified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. For more information on initial teaching licensure, visit the Teacher Education web page.

Additional TESOL Courses Required for the Master of Arts Degree, 18-21 credits
ENGL 651 Phonetics and Phonology, 3 credits
ENGL 701 Writing, Reading, Presenting Research, 3 credits
ENGL 720 Educational Linguistics, 3 credits (not required if already taken in place of ENGL 511 under teaching license)
TESL 763 Words, Meaning, and Vocabulary Teaching, 3 credits
TESL 765 Language and Culture, 3 credits
TESL 789 Topics in TESOL, 3 credits
TESL 793 Plan B Paper, 3 credits, or TESL 799 Plan A Paper, 3 credits

Electives (0-3 credits)
Chose one if TESL 779 has not been substituted for ENGL 573.
ENGL 521 The English Language: History and Culture, 3 credits, or
ENGL 650 Non-Native Speakers in the Midwest, 3 credits, or
TESL 779, Internship (if not substituted for 573 above), 3 credits, or
ENGL 789, Topics in TESOL (repeatable with different topics), 3 credits

Requirements for Initial TESOL License

Individuals wishing to obtain a Wisconsin or Minnesota TESOL teaching license take the following courses for a total of 36 credits (includes 12 credits of student teaching). Those who plan to teach in another state should confirm requirements for licensure with the respective state department.

Prerequisite or Corequisite:
Demonstrated proficiency of a single foreign language (two years of high school study, four semesters of university study, or another means)

Required Courses, 24 credits:
ENGL 511 Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 3 credits
ENGL 520 Structure of English, 3 credits
ENGL 522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 573 TESOL Tutoring: Practicum , 3 credits
ENGL 620 Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits (Prerequisite: ENGL 520)
ENGL 675 Assessment and Testing, 3 credits
TESL 767 Teaching ESOL Reading, 3 credits

Student Teaching (12 credits):
Students are required to complete 12 credits of student teaching experience. For Wisconsin teachers, an approved licensure portfolio is required.

Requirements for Additional ESL License

Teachers who hold a Wisconsin or Minnesota teaching license take the following courses for a total of 24-30 credits and apply for an additional license as an TESOL teacher in Wisconsin. Teachers from other states should confirm requirements for licensure with their respective state department.

Prerequisite or Corequisite:
Demonstrated proficiency of a single foreign language (two years of high school study, four semesters of university study, or another means)

Required Courses, 24 credits:
ENGL 511 Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 3 credits
ENGL 520 Structure of English, 3 credits
ENGL 522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits
ENGL 573 TESOL Tutoring: Practicum , 3 credits
ENGL 620 Pedagogical Grammar, 3 credits (Prerequisite: ENGL 520)
ENGL 675 Assessment and Testing, 3 credits
TESL 767 Teaching ESOL Reading, 3 credits

Student Teaching (0-6credits):
Depending upon the candidate's current teaching license and the license area they are seeking, the student may be required to complete additional courses or additional student teaching experience. For Wisconsin teachers, an approved licensure portfolio is required.

Program Curriculum for Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate is designed for individuals interested in professional development in TESOL or those wanting to teach adult basic education classes in the U.S. or English as a foreign language in other countries. 

Students are issued a graduate certificate upon completion of 12 credits of graduate courses. The following courses are recommended for anyone who is new to TESOL. More advanced students may take alternative courses to complete the 12 credits and should consult with an adviser.

Recommended Courses (12 credits)
ENGL 511 Introduction to Language and Linguistics, 3 credits
ENGL 520 Structure of English, 3 credits
ENGL 522 Acquisition of Language, 3 credits
ENGL 560 Theory and Methodology of TESOL, 3 credits

If you choose to continue on to earn the master of arts degree in TESOL, please note that only nine of these credits could be applied toward the program requirements.