The MA in TESOL at Lee is a fully online graduate program in TESOL designed to prepare leaders in the field of TESOL for service in a wide range of settings.  Many MA in TESOL programs offer only a basic level of knowledge in TESOL, but the program at Lee University is for students who already have a foundation in TESOL, through coursework or experience.

The MA program can be completed in a calendar year—beginning in the summer and finishing in May the following year.  It can also be taken at a slower pace if desired.  The program is delivered online, so it is maximally flexible for students who are already working or live distant from the Cleveland campus.

The overall goal of the program is to provide an advanced understanding of the field of TESOL and preparation for leadership roles in the field.

Features of Lee University’s MA in TESOL:

  • Online course delivery designed for busy people allows participation from any location
  • Supportive learning with caring and expert faculty
  • Can be completed in as little as one calendar year
  • Prepares for and includes cutting edge internship experience

If you would like to know more, click the link below.

Student Outcome Goals:

MA TESOL graduates from Lee University will be able to

  • Demonstrate mastery of advanced linguistic topics.
  • Act in a culturally sensitive manner in a variety of intercultural contexts with an understanding of the political, social, and cultural implications of English as a world language.
  • Analyze and apply findings from in-depth explorations into comparative linguistics and comparative language education systems to the development of curricula and language programs.
  • Prepare language assessment instruments and analyze data to make informed decisions about placement, diagnosis, classroom instruction, and program evaluation.
  • Integrate faith and learning in the field of TESOL in an international internship or domestic internship working with populations from outside the U.S.
  • Lead in the field of TESOL and participate in professional development activities in the field.
  • Plan, conduct, and analyze action research in TESOL classrooms.

Admission:

  • Students with a bachelor’s degree in TESOL or at least 18 credit hours of TESOL Courses may apply for acceptance into the MA in TESOL program. Students who do not have a background in TESOL previously, may still apply, but they will need to complete the TESOL Certificate prerequisite, which can be completed in one summer online.
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts of credit earned at all institutions of higher education.
  • A preferred GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate studies.
  • An essay of 500 words describing future goals in the field of TESOL.
  • An interview, either virtually or in person, with the Director of the program or a designated faculty member, and two letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your work or a supervisor from a teaching context.

To see the MA in TESOL page in the catalog, click here.

Masters of Arts in TESOL

David Broersma, Director
MA in TESOL Program
[email protected]
423-614-8217

Randy Wood, Dean
College of Arts and Sciences

Donna Summerlin, Chair
Language and Literature Department

 

 

 

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Lee University’s TESOL program is unique in that it is one of the few undergraduate programs in the nation which allows its undergraduate students to teach English Language Learners (ELLs). The English Language Center is an excellent opportunity for TESOL majors and minors to gain real-world teaching experience before entering the field. While teaching at the ELC, TESOL majors/minors take the course “English Language Seminar” in which they are taught how to manage the classroom, plan lessons, and implement the pedagogical principles that they have learned in previous courses. This program is aimed toward students who have a heart to teach others in a practical and effective way.

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Online TESOL Certificate & Add-On Licensure Courses

The Lee University TESOL program now offers online TESOL courses for those who would like to complete add-on licensure and/or earn the TESOL Certificate. The Summer TESOL Minor & Certificate Program allows students to take four of the five required courses online. The remaining TESOL Methods course which includes a 30-hour practicum can be completed in the first two weeks of July on the Lee University campus. Below is the schedule for these courses:

May – Online

LING 302 – The English Language
LING 380 – Introduction to Linguistics

June – Online

LING 381 – Language Acquisition
LING 385 – Linguistics for TESOL

July - Two weeks on Lee campus

LING 482 – TESOL Methods & Practicum

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Following are answers to commonly asked questions about the Lee University TESOL program. However, feel free to contact Dr. Chris Blake or any of the TESOL faculty regarding any questions you may have.

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Bachelor of Arts in TESOL

The BA in TESOL provides students with an overall foundation in the theory and practice of TESOL. It does not include teacher certification in the state of Tennessee, so students earning a BA have enough elective hours after completing the requirements to double major in another subject or add a minor or two. The BA is a good choice for students who plan to teach abroad or would like to major in another subject simultaneously.

Bachelor of Arts in TESOL with Teaching Certification (BAT)

If you envision yourself teaching in U.S. public schools at some point in the future, the BAT is the right option for you. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for the TESOL part of the degree, students will complete a professional requirement in the education department that includes receiving a teaching license in Tennessee. The professional requirement uses a student’s elective hours, so it is not as easy to add an additional major or minor with this option. It does, however, give the student much exposure to public schools in the area.

Minor in TESOL

If you plan to major in another field, but think you might have opportunities to teach English at some point, the TESOL minor can be a valuable addition to your transcript. Students who pursue certification in an education-related field are likely to have many English language learners as students, and understanding TESOL better equips a teacher to teach these ESL learners. A TESOL minor will prove beneficial when seeking employment at these schools. All students graduating with a TESOL minor (or major) will also receive a TESOL Certificate.

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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.

Lee University’s TESOL program is unique in that it is the only undergraduate program in the nation that prepares undergraduate students with up to two years of experience teaching English Language Learners (ELLs).

The Center for English Language and Literacy is an excellent opportunity for TESOL majors and minors to gain real-world teaching experience before entering the field. To see our CELL home page click here.

While teaching at the CELL, TESOL majors/minors take the course “CELL Seminar,” in which they are taught how to manage the classroom, plan lessons, and implement the pedagogical principles that they have learned in previous courses. This program is aimed toward students who have a heart to teach others in a practical and effective way.

Choose Your Path in TESOL

There are a number of paths for those interested in TESOL to choose from. These paths are described below.

Bachelor of Arts in TESOL

The BA in TESOL provides students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of TESOL. It does not include teacher certification in the state of Tennessee, so students earning a BA have enough elective hours after completing the requirements to double major in another subject or add a minor or two. The BA is a good choice for students who plan to teach abroad or would like to major in another subject simultaneously. To see current course requirements for this degree, click HERE:

Bachelor of Arts in TESOL with Teaching Certification (BAT)

If you envision yourself teaching in U.S. public schools at some point in the future, the BAT is the right option for you. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for the TESOL part of the degree, students will complete a professional requirement in Lee’s Helen DeVos College of Education that includes receiving a teaching license in Tennessee. The professional requirement uses a student’s elective hours, so it is not as easy to add an additional major or minor with this option. It does, however, give the student much exposure to public schools in the area. To see current course requirements for this degree, click HERE:

TESOL Certificate (non-degree-seeking) and the TESOL Minor

For those who have already graduated OR those who are still students, the TESOL minor / certificate is a valuable addition to a transcript. The Lee TESOL Certificate (like the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults [CELTA] offered by Cambridge University) provides the evidence of EFL teacher qualification which is now required by English teacher employers around the world. A TESOL minor / certificate will also prove beneficial when seeking employment at US schools with diverse student populations. Note that all Lee TESOL majors and minors will receive the TESOL Certificate upon completion of the required courses. To see course requirements for the TESOL minor/certificate, click HERE:

For information about the Online Certificate and Licensure opportunities at Lee, click HERE

FAQ

To see some of the questions frequently asked about TESOL at Lee, click HERE

Master of Arts in TESOL

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to take another educational step in the field, Lee University offers a fully online MA in TESOL. For information about the MA in TESOL at Lee, click HERE

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