Second Language Education & Culture (SLEC) Program
TESOL & Foreign Language Education
Frequently Asked Questions about the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program
• What specialties does the Second Language Education Program include?
• What is the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program and how does it fit into the Second Language
Education Program?
• What do TESOL, ESOL, ESL, EFL stand for? Is there a difference between ESL and EFL?
• How can I take graduate courses in the Second Language Education Program at the University of Maryland? What are the admission requirements?
• What are the degree requirements for the TESOL M.Ed.? What does it take to graduate?
• What is the difference between TESOL M. Ed. and TESOL M. Ed. with Certification?
• What is the coursework for the TESOL M.Ed.?
• What is required for student teaching?
• Can I transfer courses from another institution to apply for this degree?
• I don't have a background in linguistics. Is it a problem?
• Do I have to speak another language to become an ESOL teacher?
• How much does it cost to take graduate courses?
• How do I determine my residency (in-state or out-of-state) status?
• What kind of financial aid is available?
• When does a student who is applying for the Masters in TESOL have to take the PRAXIS 1 exam? How about Praxis II?
• Is there a time limit for acceptability of GRE scores?
• Can I take courses at other institutions?
• How do I find out about graduate student housing?
What specialties does the Second Language Education Program include?
Undergraduate Foreign Language Education Degrees and Certification Offered:
• B. A. in French and Foreign Language Education
• B. A. in Spanish and Foreign Language Education
• B. A. in German and Foreign Language Education
• B. A. in Russian and Foreign Language Education
• B. A. in Latin and Foreign Language Education
• B. A. in Italian and Foreign Language Education
Master's Foreign Language Education Degrees:
•M. Ed. in Foreign Language Education
(Candidate must already hold a bachelor's level certification in Foreign Language Education.)
Master's Degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL):
• M. Ed. in TESOL
• M. Ed. in TESOL with certification
Doctoral Degrees in Second Language Education:
• Ph.D. in Second Language Education
• Ed. D. in Second Language Education
(Candidate may earn ESOL certification or Foreign Language Education certification during the doctoral program.)
What is the Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program, and how does it fit into the Second Language Education Program?
The TESOL M. Ed. Program (with or without K-12 ESOL certification) in the University of Maryland's Department of Curriculum and Instruction is designed for master’s students from many backgrounds. It aims to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for effective second language teaching, learning, and assessment at all educational levels. The program includes coursework in current teaching methodology, assessment and evaluation, trends and issues, research, special education and applied linguistics. The program prepares students to adapt methods, materials, and curricula as appropriate to settings and learners in the U.S. and abroad.
Second Language Education teachers may work with adults or children in many different settings. Some teach English in other countries, commonly referred to as English as a foreign language (EFL); others teach English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) or English as a second language (ESL) in public school settings or in institutions of higher education.
What do TESOL, ESOL, ESL, EFL stand for? Is there a difference between ESL and EFL?
ESL stands for English as a second language. ESOL stands for English for speakers of other languages. For some students, English is a third or fourth language. Therefore, many educators prefer the term ESOL, as it does not assume that English is a second language for learners.
There is a difference between ESL and EFL. As noted above, ESL stands for English as a second language, and usually refers to teaching English to non-native English speakers in a country where English is widely spoken (like the U.S.). EFL stands for English as a foreign language, and refers to teaching English in a place where it is not widely spoken and where it is considered a foreign language.
How can I take graduate courses in the Second Language Education Program at the University of Maryland? What are the admission requirements?
To enroll in any courses at the graduate level at UMCP, you must meet certain Graduate School requirements. To be admitted to the program, you must have the following:
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a fully completed B. S. or B. A. in any relevant subject area with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 ("B") or higher
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scores at or above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
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three strong letters of recommendation
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an acceptable statement by the applicant of academic career objectives and their relation to the intended program of study, and
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the equivalent of two years of learning a foreign language
For further information on graduate admission and applications, visit Graduate Admissions page at: http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/catalog/admission.html or contact:Graduate Admissions, Lee Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-4198
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What are the degree requirements? What does it take to graduate?
Please click here to see the requirements for the TESOL M. Ed. degree.
Please click here to see the requirements for the TESOL M. Ed. degree with K-12 ESOL Certification.
What is the difference between TESOL M. Ed. and TESOL M. Ed. with K-12 Certification Programs?
Students in the M. Ed. Program may select one of the two tracks. The first leads toward an M. Ed. degree only, the second toward an M. Ed. and K-12 ESOL certification. Students who complete the second track will be recommended for certification in ESOL for grades K-12 by UMCP's College Of Education upon recommendation from the TESOL Program faculty.
What is the coursework?
Click here to see the coursework for the TESOL M. Ed. degree.
Click here to see the coursework for the TESOL M. Ed. degree with K-12 ESOL Certification.
What is required for student teaching?
Click here to learn about student teaching.
Can I transfer courses from another institution to apply for this degree?
Only courses taken at the graduate level and not used for another degree may be transferred to the M. Ed. degree at the University of Maryland. A total of six (6) credits may be transferred to the graduate program.
I don't have a background in linguistics. Is it a problem?
No, it is not a problem. Background in linguistics is not required to take courses. We have students who come from other backgrounds and disciplines.
Do I have to speak another language to become an ESOL teacher?
Speaking another language is not required in order to becomean ESOL teacher butknowledge of another language would help you to empathize with your learners.However, ESOL Teachers often find themselves teaching to a class of students coming from very different language backgrounds. Therefore, our program will teach you how to teach ESL.
How much would it cost to take graduate courses?
For updated tuition and fees, please contact the Registrar's Office at (301) 314-8240 or go to http://www.testudo.umd.edu/Financials.html.
How do I determine my residency (in-state or out-of-state) status?
Your residency classification should be stated in your acceptance letter from the Graduate School. For questions about changing your status, contact the Residency Classification Office, 1118 Mitchell Building, (301) 405-2030.
What kind of financial aid is available?
Two types of financial support available are need- and merit-based support. Need-based support is determined on evidence of a student's need. The Office of Student Financial Aid, 0102 Lee Building, provides information on need-based federal , state, and institutional financial assistance programs. Eligibility for most awards is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information on need-based financial aid, contact:
Office of Student Financial Aid
1135 Lee Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 314-9000
Merit-based support is based on a student's academic potential. Merit-based awards include fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships. Information on the fellowships and scholarships is contained in the Graduate Application Packet. Graduate assistantships require 20 hours of work per week throughout the assignment in exchange for ten (10) credits of tuition remission, a stipend, and a health benefits option. Half-time assistants work 10 hours per week throughout the assignment and receive five (5) credits of tuition remission per semester and half the appropriate stipend.
Since individual departments offer graduation assistantships, individuals need to contact those units directly regarding the availability of such position. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI) offers some graduate assistantships to qualified graduate students. Contact the Department at (301) 405-3324 or your advisor for more information. Some students in the M. Ed. program have received teaching assistantships at the University of Maryland's ESL preparatory institution, Maryland English Institute (MEI), 1101 Holzapfel Hall, (301)405-8634, http://www.mei.umd.edu. The Graduate Fellowship Office (http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/Fellowship/) 2108 Lee Building, (301) 405-4207, also receives announcements of graduate assistantships. To find out about national scholarships, fellowships, and research, please visit the National Scholarships Office at http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/UgradInfo/UgradStudies/PostBac/.
You may also inquire if your employer will cover part of the tuition.
When does a student who is applying for the Masters in TESOL have to take the PRAXIS 1 exam? How about Praxis II?
According to new admission policies, applicants to the M.Ed. Program must pass the Praxis I PRIOR to beginning the program.
Click here to see the new Praxis II examination requirement for students seeking certification.
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Is there a time limit on the acceptability of GRE scores?
No. There is no time limit on how long ago one has taken the GRE, as long as the candidate can provide an official copy of the scores.
Can I take courses at other institutions?
Occasionally students in the M.Ed. program choose to take a course at another University of Maryland campus, at an institution that is part of the Washington Area Consortium, or at another accredited institution. Students must contact host institutions directly to find out the current offerings. Keep in mind that other institutions often have different registration schedules and that visiting students may not be given priority for registration. In order to take a course not offered at the University of Maryland, there is a form that needs to be completed prior to registration and that requires signatures from both the University of Maryland campus and the host institution. The form can be picked up from the Office of Student Services, Room 1210, Benjamin Building.
How about graduate student housing?
For information about graduate housing in close proximity to campus, write or call (301) 422-0147 or 1-888-230-7368, or email grad-housing@smc-grad-housing.com, or refer to the web site at www.smc-grad-housing.com.
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