Western Education's MPEd | Field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The Master of Professional Education in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a dynamic course-based program that helps students develop the required competencies to become effective teachers of English. This program was originally designed for international candidates who wish to enhance their skills in teaching English as a foreign language, but it also attracts domestic students.
This is an exclusively onsite graduate degree program.
Improve your teaching skills
Learn about classroom research
What I like about my MPEd program is that it is incredibly rewarding to be involved in the field of equity, diversity and social justice. The course has such meaningful and applicable content which is so relevant in today's world!
This program has helped me realize the strengths of a diverse society, and how we must seek to find balance in our lives. It has helped me be more aware of difference and similarities that unite us all.
-Katherine Laid, Graduated 2020
Beyond the program details
Admissions
Required:
- A four-year degree (20 full courses or equivalent) from an accredited university.
- Minimum "B" standing (70%) or equivalent in the final two years of study.
- IELTS 6.5/9 overall with no individual score less than 6.0.
Recommended:
- Prior language teaching experience.
- Previous degree from an area with connections to TESOL (e.g., Linguistics, Communication).
Exceptions to the above requirements:
- Bachelor of Education and Additional Qualification course grades are not used in calculating admission averages.
- Applicants with 3-year degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Experience as an educator in a professional setting may be taken into account as will additional relevant qualifications.
Probationary Status: If applicants do not meet all requirements, they may be offered admission as a Probationary Student, on condition that they maintain a 75% average in each of the courses.
Tuition
Tuition amounts are set each year by Senate and then published on the Office of the Registrar's Fees Schedules web page. Fees are assessed once each term (Fall, Winter, Summer).
Current students can access fee information by logging into the Student Centre (use your Western email log in and password). Students are notified each term once fee amounts have been posted in the Student Centre; it is each student's responsibility to log into the Student Centre and pay fees by the due date indicated. Failure to do so may result in a late payment fee or deregistration.
For questions about fees, including how to pay fees and the methods of payment that are accepted, students should go to the Student Financial Services pages of the Office of the Registrar's web site or contact Student Financial Services (Office of the Registrar) at 519-661-2100.
The Graduate Student Affordability Calculator was designed for you to get a better estimate of what it will cost to attend one of Western's graduate programs for one year. The calculator is not a promise of funding or a place to access scholarship support or financial aid; rather, it is intended to provide you with an accurate estimate of how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and many other necessities for a 12-month (three-term) academic year.
Funding
The Faculty of Education recognizes the financial commitment required to pursue professional graduate studies.
As the majority of our programs are fully online, we offer students flexible learning that allows them to fund their education by remaining in their current employment. Some employers offer subsidization or time release opportunities for the professional learning of their employees. As a result, internal funding is not available for these programs.
There are also many external funding opportunities for competitive candidates in our professional programs. Download this PDF file for an additional list of over 30 external awards (see more information below). Also, visit online sites that contain numerous award opportunities.
Please note that students must apply for these awards individually. Read the qualifications carefully, and contact the award provider for more criteria and award information. Some application support is available from the Research Office for research-based awards only.
Many private financial institutions offer financing options (with particular rates and payment plans) to full-time students. Please contact a representative of your preferred financial institution for more information.
Provincial governments offer a variety of loan programs to help students finance their studies. Ontario residents may be eligible to apply for OSAP.
The Government of Canada's CanLearn website provides a listing of contact information for the offices of all government student financial assistance programs. Please visit CanLearn to find your province or territory listing. The Government of Canada implemented the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) to encourage higher education and training. The LLP allows you to withdraw up to $10,000 a year from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance training or education for you or your spouse or common-law partner. For further information on this plan, visit the government's website at www.ccra.gc.ca.
Technology
While this is an onsite program and computer labs will be available to students, we recommend that students bring their own laptops for study, project, and roaming purposes.
Program information
Description
The Master of Professional Education in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a course-based program that helps students to develop the required competencies to become effective teachers of English. This program can be completed in one year. It was originally designed for international candidates who wish to enhance their skills in teaching English as a foreign language, but it also attracts domestic students.
Benefits of Studying in Ontario, Canada at Western University
Canadian universities provide the best value among US, UK, and Australian universities
- Western University has many social and professional development events for graduate students.
Learn more about the international graduate student experience at Western University by visiting the following websites:
- English Language Centre
- International and Exchange Student Centre
- Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for International Students
Graduate Studies for International Students at Western University
Western is committed to providing culturally sensitive and inclusive services to all students, faculty and staff, while embracing the multiculturalism which defines our campus body.
There are many opportunities to get involved with international activities on campus, including joining clubs and campus projects, to volunteering with Western's international community and attending seasonal events:
Important Notes
- The successful completion of a Master of Professional Education degree does not amount to certification with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).
- This program familiarizes students with the latest research in the field of language education, but it is not a research-intensive program with a thesis component. It provides excellent preparation to students who wish to apply for admission into a research-intensive Masters (M.A.) program but may not be considered sufficient preparation for direct admission into a Doctoral (PhD) program.
Objectives
The objective of the MPEd, TESOL is to provide learners with a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights that is informed by literature in the fields of TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
At the end of the program, students will demonstrate a conceptual understanding of research and pedagogical competence that enables:
- a working comprehension of how research has been conducted to inform TESOL practice;
- a critical evaluation of the research literature in the disciplines or TESOL and Applied Linguistics; and
- the ability to critically analyze and evaluate complex pedagogical problems of practice based on established and/or innovative principles and techniques in TESOL.
- Awareness and understanding of TESOL literature and pedagogy. The ability to apply the existing body of knowledge to critical analysis of questions and issues relevant to the practice of TESOL in varied settings.
- The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
- the exercise of initiative and of personal responsibility and accountability;
- decision-making in a variety of TESOL situations;
- The intellectual independence required for continuing professional development;
- The ethical behavior consistent with academic integrity and the use of appropriate guidelines and procedures for responsible classroom conduct; and
- The ability to appreciate the broader implications of applying knowledge to particular contexts.
- The ability to effectively communicate ideas, concepts, issues, and arguments about TESOL using the most appropriate genres and modes.
- Demonstrated cognizance of the scope and complexity of TESOL literature and practice, including the potential contributions of other interpretations, methods, and disciplines.
Timing/delivery
Full-time students:
Students are required to take 8 courses for successful program completion.
Courses
This is a complete listing of the courses that are approved to be offered. Each year will include eight of the following courses required for successful program completion.
Please note: students are required to take 8 courses
ED 9300 Understanding Second Language Learning and Teaching
This course examines various factors and concepts related to the acquisition/learning of an additional language. Topics such as competence and performance, formal and informal learning, first and second language acquisition, models of second language acquisition, learning styles and strategies, and factors affecting language learning will be discussed in this course.
ED 9301 Social Approaches to Language Learning and Teaching
This course looks at sociolinguistic issues that are central to second language learning and teaching. It examines factors such as language attitudes and motivations, variations in language, language policies and their applications to TESOL.
ED 9302 Teaching and Learning Vocabulary
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge necessary to comment critically on vocabulary research and practice, and create an effective plan for vocabulary learning within a course. Issues that teachers must consider when planning for vocabulary will be examined and applied to a teaching and learning program.
ED 9303 Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)
This course looks at theoretical and practical issues in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Students will examine the different CALL resources and be involved in using, evaluating and designing digital tools for language learning and teaching.
ED 9305 Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching
Discourse analysis involves the investigation of language in use. This course examines the analysis of spoken and written discourse structure, and discusses its applications to language teaching.
ED 9306 Syllabus and Materials Design
This course explores and evaluates various approaches and theories relating to syllabus and materials design in the English language classroom. A primary objective is to help students to improve upon their abilities to create and assess materials and syllabi for use in their own teaching.
ED 9307 Language Teacher Education
This course critically examines current approaches to second language teacher education and looks at the development of strategies for critical self-awareness and self-evaluation.
ED 9308 Teaching & Learning Grammar
This course involves the analysis and evaluation of different pedagogical interventions that are intended to promote the learning of grammar. The course is designed with a view to helping teachers to improve their design of course materials and classroom activities.
ED 9309 Second Language Assessment
This course involves the study of the theory and practice of language assessment, with a particular focus on classroom learning. Both formal tests and a range of alternative forms of assessment are covered.
ED 9311 Teaching Reading and Writing Skills
This course discusses methods to help students develop and improve their reading and writing skills in the second language. It examines relevant research and applies research-informed principles to the design of reading and writing activities inside and outside the language classroom. Due attention is also given to feedback strategies.
ED 9312 Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills
This course discusses methods to help students develop and improve their listening and speaking skills in the second language. Due attention is given to the teaching of pronunciation (including prosody). Research-informed principles are applied to the design of instructional materials and classroom activities.
