Skip to main content
SNHU alumni Fatima Salem Pease standing in front of a conference room, with the text "Fatima Salem Pease '19"

Graduate Program Teaching English as a Second or Other Language

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Note: This program is for students who attend our New Hampshire campus. If you are a student at Vietnam National University, visit our program page for our Master of Science in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Whether you are ready to take on leadership roles in culturally responsive English education in the US or overseas, the Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program prepares students for a variety of English education opportunities. Designed for working professionals, with evening and online coursework, the MA in TESOL degree combines the latest in inter-culturally informed pedagogies and hands-on practice.

This master’s degree is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of educational contexts, including K-12 and post-secondary education. Through studying the latest theories and best practices in second language pedagogy, methodology, curriculum design and assessment students, will be able to plan and deliver effective instruction and program management in English as a Second Language (ESL) in the United States or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in another country.

The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program does not lead to licensure. For currently licensed individuals please note that state requirements for adding endorsements varies greatly and SNHU does not guarantee that the completion of the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) will result in rank, endorsements, and/or salary increases and strongly encourages interested individuals to contact their state licensure board prior to enrolling.

Learn how to:

  • Help students of ESOL acquire proficiency
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of sociocultural context within ESOL instruction
  • Plan and implement ESOL instruction
  • Apply principles of needs analysis and language proficiency assessment to make informed decisions about curriculum and instruction
  • Demonstrate professionalism and leadership through collaboration
  • Advocate for English language learners and their families
  • Develop your professional practice through self-reflection and feedback

See Yourself Succeed at Teaching English

In SNHU’s English education program, methodologies for a variety of teaching situations are integrated into the curriculum, as well as strategies for teaching learners of all ages.

SNHU’s TESOL program offers 3 specializations:

  • ESL/EFL teaching, which prepares students to teach in the U.S. and overseas
  • Digital language learning, which focuses on the skills necessary to lead English instruction in digital and hybrid contexts (coming in 2022)
  • English language program management, which prepares students for careers in secondary and post-secondary administration of English language programs (coming in 2022)

Participants in the MA in TESOL program have the opportunity to observe classes at educational institutions throughout southern New Hampshire – as well as virtually with refugees through partnerships such as the International Institute of New England and SNHU’s Center for New Americans.

The benefits of earning a master’s in TESOL at SNHU include:

  • Supportive community. Join the SNHU campus community of students who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
  • Affordability. SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire.
  • Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty who are experts in their fields and who will acclimate you to professional norms and practices associated with the TESOL community of practice.
  • Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree in as few as 18 months. Most courses are offered weekday evenings to accommodate working professionals.
  • Minimal requirements. No GRE or GMAT required for admission.
  • Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for tips and career opportunities.
  • Campus experience: Enjoy study and engaged interactions on our 300-acrea campus in Manchester with its rich learning resources and supportive educational environment.

Admission Requirements

SNHU requires an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 (or equivalent) for admission.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our three 16-week graduate terms, starting in January, May, and September. To apply, simply complete our online application form.

Career Outlook

There’s always a need for qualified teachers. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for education, training and library occupations are projected to grow 5% through 2028 – that’s more than 500,000 jobs added to the workforce.1 The median annual wage for these positions in May 2019 was $50,790 – higher than the median salary of all occupations.1

About 23% of school-age children spoke a language other than English at home in the U.S. in 2017, according to some of the most recent federal data available.2 The demand for educators with TESOL background remains high in the U.S. school systems.

Worldwide demand for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructors should rise. Here’s why you should consider this as a career path:

  • Currently, 750 million people speak English as a foreign language, while another 375 million use it as a second language.3
  • English has become the most common language to conduct global business.3
  • Job markets in 2020 for teaching English are hot in South Korea, Costa Rica, Colombia, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Morocco, China, Japan and Cambodia.4

Curriculum

The MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program consists of 12 courses, including 6 core curriculum classes with supervised practice teaching, 4 specialization classes and 4 electives.

Graduate Tuition

Earning your degree is a smart choice to advance your career, and investing in an affordable program increases your ROI. We keep our costs low to remove barriers between you and your goals.

University Accreditation

New England Commission of Higher Education Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

Related Articles

A man researching is an associate degree worth it on a laptop.

Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

Education
Whether you're exploring your career options or have a game plan in place, you might be wondering whether an associate degree is for you. There's much to consider, including the time, cost and potential for career impact. Explore the reasons why other people decide to earn associate degrees.
A graduate wearing a cap and gown, holding up her diploma at an SNHU Commencement ceremony

Top 7 Reasons Why College is Important

Education
Have you ever wondered why is college important? While a college degree can improve your earning potential and employment opportunities, it can also significantly impact other areas of your life, such as your relationships, future preparedness and ability to make a difference in your community. 
Clad in graduation regalia and standing in front of an SNHU bus, Lorenzo Mateo '19, holds up a framed diploma after earning a BS in Information Technology.

How to Be Successful in College: Advice for College Freshmen & Beyond

Education
Whether you’re fresh out of high school or it’s been a while since you’ve taken a class, transitioning into college can feel like uncharted territory. Looking for some advice? Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) academic advisors, students and alumni shared what's worked for them.

References