Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Masters of Arts in TESOL
Today, 1.5 billion people are learning English across the globe. In United States public school classrooms alone, 5 million students are English learners. From orphanages in Africa to colleges in Asia to refugee centers in Europe to public K-12 schools in the United States, Lee University TESOL graduates equip children and adults to speak English.
This major prepares students for a career in teaching English as a second or foreign language, with two degree programs: one with teacher licensure (.BAT) and the other focusing on a context outside of US schools (.BA).
The MA in TESOL at Lee is a graduate program in TESOL designed to prepare leaders in the field of TESOL for service in a wide range of settings. Many MATESOL programs offer a fairly basic level of knowledge about TESOL, but the program at Lee is for students who already have a basic foundation in TESOL, through course work or experience.
Career Opportunities
- ESL Teacher
- English teacher in a foreign country
- Missionary
- Director or administrative staff for an English as a second language (ESL) program
- Developer of English language materials with a private company
- Academic adviser with an educational institution
- Government agency adviser
- Private language arts tutor
- Administrative or teaching staff at an English language center
- Computational Linguist
- Consultant: Endangered Languages
- Corporate Trainer
- Curriculum Developer/Evaluator
- Educational Therapist
- Foreign Services Officer
- Forensic Linguist
- International Development Worker
- Journalist
- Language Fieldworker
- Language Specialist
- Linguist
- Linguistic Anthropologist
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Reading Tutor
- Social Services Volunteer
- Speech Pathologist
- Standardized Test Developer or Editor
- Teacher-Trainer
- Translator/Interpreter
- Writing Instructor/Tutor
What to Expect
World Class Faculty
In the Lee TESOL program, you will be taught by faculty who have over 25 years of combine d international teaching and leadership experience. Your classes will be practical and personalized, preparing you with a strong foundation in linguistics theory and language pedagogy.
Alumni and Future Employment Connections
Lee TESOL alumni are now teaching in many countries around the globe as well as in schools in Tennessee and other states. As a Lee student, you will have opportunities to develop professional connections with these alumni and prepare yourself for wherever the Lord leads you in your future teaching profession.
Teaching Experience
Lee TESOL Majors can expect to graduate with a resume that is rich with English teaching experience. The Center for English Language and Literacy (CELL) provides Lee TESOL majors the opportunity to receive up to two years of mentored ESL teaching and leadership experience as they teach English lessons to community members from around the world. In addition, TESOL BAT students will complete two practicums which include a semester of fulltime teaching experience in a local school. Opportunities for tutoring in the Center for Academic Support and other campus departments also provide students with meaningful teaching experiences before they graduate.
Travel/Global Trips
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- New Zealand Education Global Trip
- Alaska Education Global Trip
- Thailand
Capstone
The Capstone course is designed to help graduating students integrate their faith with the academic knowledge they have gained throughout their studies. It is regarded as the final reflection of the essential Core Values of Lee University.
Academics/Honors
- Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society
- Lee Future Educators
- Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society
Research/Competition
- Many courses in the TESOL program have research projects and writing opportunities that prepare students for future graduate work as well as undergraduate scholarship presentation experiences.
- McNair Scholars
Arts/Performance
- Writer's Series
- Sigma Tau Delta Symposium
- Fringe Fest, a Festival of 10-minute Plays
- Latin American and Iberian Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Conference
- Mission, Faith Education Summer Program
- Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference
Student Work Opportunities
- Federal Work-Study (Teacher's Assistant)
- Writing Center Tutor
- Spanish/French Tutor
- Writing Studio Facilitator
- Social Media Coordinator
- Office Assistant (Department of Language and Literature
Publications
- Lee Review
Other
Students in this program also have the opportunity to participate in the university's Asian Studies Program.