Teaching English as a Second Language

Program Description

The TESL Program emphasizes the importance of helping teachers understand both instructional and research principles to assist them in adapting to the changing face of ESL. We provide professional development to both pre-service and experienced teachers.

We facilitate professional development by introducing our students to current research and theoretical models, by helping them understand how to ask questions about the interactions they observe in their classrooms, and by exploring the possible ways in which those questions might be addressed.

Graduate students are often supported to work on research projects with TESL professors. The faculty and adjuncts in the TESL program are active researchers who have ongoing contact within classrooms and within the TESL community. Their work is published in refereed journals such as Applied Linguistics, Canadian Modern Language Review, Language Learning, Language Testing, Modern Language Journal, Studies in Second Language Acquisition, System, TESL Canada Journal, TESOL Journal and TESOL Quarterly .

Teaching

In order to teach in Canadian school systems K-12, you must have a valid teaching certificate. The MEd is not a substitute for a teaching certificate.

Adult ESL programs have varying hiring criteria. Many require a TESL Diploma or a Master's degree. Contact individual institutions for information on hiring practices. The Master's program satisfies the coursework requirements for ATESL accreditation and for TESL Canada Professional Certification: Standard Three.

For jobs overseas:

  • Dave's ESL Café
  • The ATESL, TESL Canada Websites and careers.tesol.org list job opportunities
  • The International Centre in HUB has listings

For jobs within Alberta:

Volunteer:

  • Cultural Connections Institute: The Learning Exchange
  • The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
  • NorQuest College
  • International Centre, University of Alberta

Application Information

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum GPA of B (3.0) over the latest 60 courseweights of graded academic work (about the last 2 years of a 4-year baccalaureate degree)
  • ESL classroom teaching experience (either paid or volunteer); we recommend a minimum of 75 hours

Language Requirements

Students entering the MEd program must have a TOEFL iBT overall score of 94 with a minimum of 22 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing; or an IELTS Academic overall score of 7 with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill area.

LING 101 is an important foundational knowledge course. Linguistics provides ESL teachers with important background information on the way languages work.

Length of Program

The TESL MEd can be completed in two years if an individual begins in September and attends full-time. Students have up to 6 years to complete the MEd on a part-time basis. However, Education students must register at least once in the Fall/Winter cycle to keep their program active. A lapsed program will require an application for re-admission before further registration can take place.

Cost

This depends on whether you are a Canadian or international student and on how many courses you take. Check the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Fees Guide for Canadian or International Students.

Applying Courses + Diplomas

Bachelor's Courses + TESL Diploma

The University does not allow students to apply one course to two credentials. In other words, if a course counted towards your Bachelor's or any other degree, it cannot count towards your MEd. A substitute course from the option list should be chosen instead.

Open Studies + Diploma Student 

If the course is an acceptable course in the program, and if it has not been used towards any other credential, it can be applied to the Master's. The number of courses nearest to, but not exceeding, 1/3 of the total units of course weight of a student's program (i.e., a maximum of 3 courses) may be transferred to the Master's if recommended by the department and approved by the FGPS on a case-by-case basis.

Non-credit Courses

Non-credit courses cannot be substituted for credit courses. If you are interested in taking a short non-credit course out of interest, there are short courses available at both MacEwan University and NorQuest College.

Capping Projects

In their final year of study, all TESL Master's students complete a capstone project that integrates the skills and concepts that they have learned during their tenure in the program. The projects address an issue of relevance to teachers of ESL or EFL or the wider ESL/EFL teaching community. Many of these projects have been presented at conferences or submitted for publication.

Contact Us

Please direct admissions questions, program inquiries, and so on to essgrad1@ualberta.ca.

Testimonials