“Working at PEDAL has given me a sense of connectedness with the whole University of Pennsylvania. We are teaching at Penn GSE—that gives me a sense of pride."
Gain the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to teach English as a second or foreign language in educational settings around the world.
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, M.S.Ed. (TESOL) program provides a strong foundation in the practical, theoretical, and professional aspects of language education, with a focus on English language teaching. Designed for individuals aiming to teach English as a second or foreign language, the program prepares graduates for instructional roles in college classrooms and a variety of global learning environments.
Program Details
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September 1 Application Opens
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Fall Entry Term
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Full or Part-Time Enrollment Format
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12 Courses
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2 Years Duration (Full-Time)
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On Campus Modality
Overview
The TESOL program prepares language educators to tailor their approach to their students’ unique needs. The interdisciplinary course of study emphasizes the motivations and needs of international scholars and professionals, learners in countries where English is a second or foreign language, and immigrants who settle in English-speaking nations.
Whether your goal is to work in higher education, community programs, or international language institutes, this program equips you with the skills to teach English confidently and effectively across various contexts. Students engage in hands-on practicum teaching through the Practical English for Daily Living (PEDAL) program at Penn GSE and through placements with a wide network of community partner organizations, gaining real-world experience in ESL classrooms. The program concludes with the TESOL Seminar, which includes a service project in ESL teaching, allowing students to apply their learning in a meaningful, community-focused setting.
Take the Next Step
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
What Sets Us Apart
What Sets Us Apart
Admissions Events
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Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Location: Online
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Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
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Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Location: Online
Curriculum
TESOL immerses students in rigorous coursework, field-based teaching practicums, and a 30-hour ESL teaching service project.
In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of educational linguistics and TESOL, courses cover methods of teaching, evaluation and assessment, and curriculum and materials development. Additional courses provide a thorough grounding in linguistics, which includes work in the structure and development of the English language, first- and second-language development, and sociolinguistics. Course content is based on research into the nature of language learning and teaching, the needs of specific populations of language learners, language and intercultural studies, and pedagogical approaches.
In addition to two practicum courses, students have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork as a tutor, intern, and teacher in a number of core and elective courses. Student teaching is supported by one-on-one mentoring as well as group discussions designed to stimulate inquiry and reflection around issues of language teaching and learning. Students are required to teach English as a second language for the culminating service project. The program requires completion of 8 required courses and 4 electives, with flexibility to tailor electives to your interests and career goals.
For more information on courses and requirements, visit the TESOL, M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
Do you have questions about the plan of study?
We're happy to help! Contact the Program Assistant, Erica Poinsett, epoinset@upenn.edu.
- Citizen Sociolinguistics
- Linguistic Anthropology of Education
- Language Teaching & Literacy Development in Multilingual Contexts
- Classroom Discourse & Interaction
- Indigenous Education & Language Revitalization
- Selected Topics in Educational Linguistics
- Conversation Analysis for Second Language Teaching & Research
- Task-based Language Teaching
- Teaching Second Language Literacy
- Content-Based Instruction
- Experiential Learning Design for Intercultural Communication
- Language Assessment
- Language Diversity & Education
- Curriculum & Materials Design for English Language Teaching
- Structure of English
- Issues in Second Language Development
- Genealogies of Race and Language in Education Research
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Spring 1
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Summer
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Course can be waived with Faculty approval and replaced with additional TESOL-related electives. This plan of study is for full-time students; students enrolled part-time will work with the program manager and faculty to determine the best plan of study for their situation.
Outcomes
Our graduates teach English to immigrants who settle in English-speaking nations. They prepare international scholars and professionals to communicate with English-speaking colleagues around the world. And they lead classrooms in countries where English is a second or foreign language. A number of our alumni enroll in doctoral programs to pursue in-depth research in fields such as applied linguistics and education.
Alumni Careers
- Associate Instructor, Saint Joseph’s University
- Chinese Teacher, Asia Pacific Language School
- Curriculum Development Specialist, School District of Philadelphia
- Director of Education Division, DENO International Education Consultant LLC
- English Teacher, Zhejiang Yuying College of Vocational Technology
- ESL Instructor & ESL Tutor Trainer, Delaware County Literacy Council Instructor
- International Program Coordinator, FLS International
- Overseas Recruiting Specialist, Teach Taiwan
- Ph.D. Candidate, Lynch School of Education, Boston College
- Research Associate, Frontier21 Education Solutions
- TEFL Advisor, Chinese American Planning Council
- Teacher, Shoushan Junior High School
Apply Now
A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Affiliated Faculty
Our affiliated faculty are valued members of the Penn GSE community and are leaders in their fields and disciplines across higher education and in the private sector. In addition to teaching students, many of our affiliated faculty also contribute to curricular development, research, and serve as student mentors.
Contact Us
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
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