The highly acclaimed M.S.Ed. TESOL specialization, housed within the Educational Linguistics program, prepares students to teach English to non-native speakers in settings where English is a second, foreign, or international language. The program emphasizes the many roles and functions of English language teaching in the political, social, and academic climate of today's world.

TESOL's interdisciplinary course of study keeps students highly attuned to the motivations and needs of immigrants who settle in English-speaking nations, international scholars and professionals, and students in countries where English is a foreign language. In-depth study and field-based practice prepare students to identify and analyze learner needs, design language curricula, and administer and evaluate programs.

The TESOL specialization focuses on both the practical and theoretical aspects of the field. The program is classroom oriented, with a strong focus on sociolinguistics, intercultural communication, and the interaction of language learning and use. Together, these form a dynamic backdrop against which to study the foundational areas of linguistics, literacy, and education.

Academic training is supplemented with practical experience through observation at the University's English Language Programs, at other university language institutes, and in community language and literacy centers in the greater Philadelphia area. Partnerships with local schools and an institutional tie with a neighborhood school provide excellent opportunities for training and observation. Students engage in fieldwork as tutors, practice teachers, and interns. All aspects of their teaching are supported by individual supervision and conferences designed to stimulate discussion of current issues in multilingual, multicultural, and international classrooms.