Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Overview
Biola’s M.A. in TESOL will prepare you to teach ESL/EFL — nationally and abroad — and give a voice to countless individuals in need of the language in order to pursue education, launch careers, or survive and establish themselves in English-speaking countries. Graduates of this program will be prepared to instruct students of varying ages and skill levels and will attain a solid understanding of course and material design, program development, teacher training, and student assessment.
The TESOL programs place an emphasis on adult and young adult ESL learners. In response to an increasing need for ESL/EFL teachers in Early Childhood (PreK-2) and Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) both home and abroad, the TESOL programs also offer two additional specializations within the M.A. in TESOL curriculum:
Please note that students with extensive equivalent undergraduate course work in TESOL (minimum 18 UG credits) may receive up to 9 credits of course reduction.Yes! Tell Me More!
Why Choose TESOL at Biola?
English has become the most widely used language in the world today, particularly in the areas of science, commerce, and education — and the demand for qualified teachers of English is growing.
Whether you have reached a point in your career where your job or visa requires you to have a master’s degree or your responsibilities are increasing to include new areas of teaching, you will be immersed in a learning experience that will form your integrity and professionalism.
As a student of Biola University’s M.A. in TESOL program you will:
- Become a part of our legacy. Biola University is an established, Christian institution with more than 100 years of biblically centered education, including the Talbot School of Theology.
- Receive biblically centered training from top-notch faculty. You will be mentored by faculty with extensive experience in global cross-cultural service. Active practitioners and researchers in TESOL, our faculty’s expertise will give you the top-tier guidance you need to reach your goals for effective teaching and enhanced ministry.
- Earn your degree online or in person. Our online option allows you to study on a flexible schedule and immediately apply your learning to your current teaching context. Meanwhile, the on-campus option affords you the opportunity to connect with faculty and classmates in person and practice your TESOL skills throughout Southern California, one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.
- Train for a higher calling. Biola’s M.A. in TESOL takes your learning to the next level. Our Christ-centered curriculum will develop your expertise in language teaching — characterized by professional preparation, contextual sensitivity, cultural appropriateness, and ethical service in the name of Jesus.
What Will I Study?
The M.A. in TESOL is a biblically integrated, academically rigorous program focused on the practical aspects of teaching in a variety of settings. Every course is designed to help you reach your highest potential and cultivate your professional, spiritual, and academic growth. You will engage in core courses such as:
- English Language Teaching Methods
- Structure of English
- Materials Evaluation & Preparation
- Ethics, Values & Intercultural Communication for TESOL Professionals
- Second Language Acquisition
- Language Testing and Assessment
- Vocabulary Learning & Teaching
Your learning experience will also be enriched as you will also complete electives in Bible / Theology and TESOL, such as:
- Life of Christ
- Course Design in TESOL
- Teaching Second Language Reading and Writing
- Technology for Language Learning and Teaching
- Teaching English to Young Learners
- Topics in TESOL: English for Academic Purposes
- Topics in TESOL: Sociolinguistics and English Language Teaching
Be sure to view official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.
Some lessons and truths took a long time for me to digest. But I can often refer back to them even now, 25 years later ... I can definitely say that my ability to translate my experience with Christ with integrity in another culture, and therefore more effectively in my own culture, was greatly enhanced.
M.A. in TESOL, '96
Although I had already been teaching for many years, the TESOL Online program enabled me to hone my skills and widen my horizons. It also opened up the opportunity for me to train others here in Europe who wanted to use English as outreach.
M.A. in TESOL (Online), '16
My M.A. in TESOL (online) came in the midst of my career and helped me become a better teacher. Through the program I saw my skills honed, my understanding of the field deepened, and my passion for teaching reinvigorated.
TESOL, M.A. '20