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    TESL at the University of Mississippi

    Welcome to the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Program at the University of Mississippi. The program offers a Master of Arts in Modern Languages with emphasis in TESL and ESL. It trains highly qualified professionals in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages.

    Playing a vital role in the liberal arts curriculum, the Department of Modern Languages offers superior instruction to undergraduates in eight foreign languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish). Students with 30 hours of language study who wish to deepen their knowledge and perfect their language skills may pursue a Master degree in either Modern Languages (with an emphasis in French, German or Spanish) or the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL). Through scholarship, industry, and perseverance students will attain the high level of professional and academic competence that the faculty in Modern Languages demonstrates. Students with the M.A. in Modern Languages or TESL will be ready for a variety of challenging and rewarding careers.

    PROGRAMS:

    The Master of Arts in Modern Languages:

    The Master of Arts degree requires, as a prerequisite, 30 hours (including high school credits) in the language which the student intends to emphasize (French, German, Spanish) or a total of 30 hours in two or three languages, ancient and/or modern, provided that there are at least 18 hours in the major language. In extraordinary cases this prerequisite may be modified.

    Two options to the degrees are available. One option requires 27 hours of graduate-level course work plus thesis in the major field, and a maximum of 9 hours in a minor field, subject to the approval of the department. The second option requires 36 hours of graduate-level course work, of which a minimum of 24 hours must be in the major field, and up to 12 hours in a minor field, subject to departmental approval.

    The Master of Arts with emphasis in TESL:

    The Master of Arts in TESL requires, as a prerequisite, a B.A. (or the equivalent) and a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of Linguistics. LING 313, Introduction to Linguistics, is a deficit requirement for those who cannot document such background knowledge.

    Admission Requirements:

    A)Students applying to the M.A. program in TESL should submit the following materials to:

    The University of Mississippi Graduate School
    P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677

  • A complete graduate school application for admission that can be found online at: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/graduate_school
  • One official transcript from each university/ college attended
  • A $25 application fee
  • Official test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • International students must also submit their official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (a minimum score of 550 for the paperbased test, 213 for the computer-based test, or 80 for the internet-based test is preferred)

    • B) International students only:

  • A financial statement which certifies funds for educational and living expenses should be submitted to:
    International Programs Office,
    University of Mississippi,
    University, MS 38677.

    C) The following supporting materials should be sent directly to:

    Dr. Donald L. Dyer, Chair
    Department of Modern Languages
    The University of Mississippi
    P.O. Box 1848
    University, MS 38677-1848

  • Curriculum vitae
  • A statement of purpose and a summary of teaching, second or foreign language study, travel or work abroad, and any other relevant information
  • Three academic letters of recommendation
  • International students: If you did not take the internet-based test, then you will need to show evidence of oral proficiency in the language in which you choose to study, in the form of TSE scores or a tape recording containing spontaneous speech samples (e.g., telling us about yourself, about your plans for the future, etc.), and three samples of oral reading from text. In the case of applicants to the Master of Art in Modern Languages, an informal interview by phone with a faculty member will suffice.

    • Deadline: Selection for admission to the program occurs throughout the year. It is recommended that you complete the application process 2-3 months prior to the semester in which you plan to enroll.

    Program Director:

    Dr. Esim Erdim
    Hill Hall # 211
    University of Mississippi
    University, MS 38677
    Telephone: (662) 915-7915
    Fax: (662) 915-1086
    E-mail: eerdim@olemiss.edu

    Financial Assistance:

    Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships and assistantships. For more information, please contact the Department of Modern Languages.

 
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