Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)

For Entrance into the TESOL program

The prerequisite for entry into the TESOL major is a grade of “C” or better in any TESOL course. For students who have taken additional courses toward the major, a minimum GPA of 2.00 is required on all courses, excluding failed courses.

Descriptions of Major Options

Undergraduate Certificate

A 30-credit hour program, the Providence TESOL certificate will demonstrate that students understand language theory and teaching methodology. Accredited by TESL Canada, it can also be combined with a major as part of broader university study.

Associate of Arts in TESOL

This program is a good choice for those who are interested in receiving training as an educational assistant (EA) as it focuses on applied linguistics, second language acquisition and pedagogy study. Learning is enhanced with opportunities to explore cross-cultural contexts and to apply Christian principles to the discipline.

Bachelor of Arts in TESOL

This degree program fulfills the TESL Canada requirements and equips students to meet the large and growing demand for teachers of English to speakers of other languages. Graduates will have a strong academic foundation in language learning theory and teaching methodology, bolstered by practicum experience in a cross-cultural setting.

Graduate Certificate

This program is designed to equip those who wish to meet the large and growing need in North America and around the world for teachers of English as an additional language.

Master of Arts in TESOL

This graduate-level program can be taken as a course-based track or a thesis/project-based track. The course-based track consists of 36 credit hours of theory and practice. The thesis/project-based track includes 27 credit hours of courses plus 9 credit hours devoted to research. The project or thesis allows the graduate student to demonstrate mastery of the discipline. The project is most suitable to practitioners wishing to apply their research to work in their field. The thesis is most suitable to scholars tending towards theoretical research and looking to continue on to doctoral programs.

Master of Education in TESOL

This graduate-level program comprises 36 credit hours of study, which includes a thesis (theoretical) or project (application-focused). It presumes a level of competence in linguistic theory gained at undergraduate level and concentrates on pedagogical concerns. The thesis or project will allow you to demonstrate mastery of the discipline.

Summer TESOL

Do you want to finish your TESOL training as quickly as possible? Our Summer TESOL program offers seven courses during a six-week period and will help get you into a workplace setting sooner rather than later. All of our TESOL courses meet the TESL Canada requirements, and Providence TESOL graduates are employed in more than 60 countries around the world.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please look to the Academic Calendar for full information and course lists. If there are discrepancies between the information listed here and in the Academic Calendar, the Academic Calendar is definitive.

• Applied Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• Material and Methodology
• Current Issues in TESOL
• Cultural Anthropology

Summer TESOL Courses include:

• Applied Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• Material and Methodology
• Practicum
• Field Education

Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji, M.A. (Program Coordinator)
Department Chair of TESOL; Associate Professor of TESOL; MLI Director

Elfrieda Lepp-Kaethler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of TESOL

Graduates build careers as English teachers and educational assistants. Some work in global missions or in adult language learning. Others pursue graduate studies.