Teaching English as a Second Language

The Department of English at OSU offers a comprehensive program leading to both an MA in English with an option in Teaching English as a Second Language and a PhD in English with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

The MA TESL program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of situations, e.g., teaching English as a foreign language in an overseas school, college, or university; teaching English as a second language to international students studying in intensive English programs in the U.S.; or teaching English to bilingual/bicultural students in American public school systems and adult education programs.

The PhD program prepares students to conduct research in and teach TESL at the university level. OSU graduates in TESL have been highly successful in the job market. Recent graduates have been employed as instructors at local institutes and universities here in Oklahoma, as well as those in Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Washington D.C., Great Britain, Mexico and Brazil.

The Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a one-year program designed to provide students with the skills important for teaching English to non-native speakers in a variety of situations:

• Teaching English to bilingual/bicultural, English Language Learner (ELL) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in public school systems and adult education programs.
• Teaching English as a Second Language to international students studying in English programs in the U.S.
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language in an overseas school, college, or university.

(Students wishing state certification as public school teachers must meet special state requirements)

English Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Oklahoma State University
205 Morrill Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-9474
For Information about English Programs: english.information@okstate.edu
Webmaster: engweb@okstate.edu

Recent Graduates

Tatsuya Fukushima
Assistant Professor of Japanese, The University of Arkansas

"From a research perspective, the flexible curriculum in the English graduate program at OSU allowed me to explore different fields of linguistics and TESL..." more

Doina Kovalik
Assistant Professor, Winston-Salem State University

"The training in TESOL and Linguistics offered at OSU is remarkable, and it benefited me greatly. The courses in applied linguistics and TESOL have provided me with a solid background..." more

Ludovik Kovalik
Assistant Professor, Winston-Salem State University

"The years I spent at OSU as a graduate student and a teaching assistant/ associate have greatly helped me become the Instructor of English that I am today.." more

Aymerou Mbaye
Cheikh Anta Diop University

"I have found that... the rigor of the courses, the support from the instructors, the extensive readings, and the access to library resources prepared me for what I am doing now..." more

Mark Freiermuth
Professor, Gunma Prefectural Women's University, Japan

“The value of the education I received in the TESL and linguistics graduate program at OSU is immeasurable. What I learned in the courses..." more