Most schools have rolling admissions and financial help so you can start your degree in a few weeks!
What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in English Language Learning (ELL) Program
With an online program in English language learning, you can expect to find coursework suited to teachers and administrators interested in strengthening or obtaining teaching skills in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learning (ELL) programs.
You’ll receive the same quality education from an online master’s program as you would from traditional in-person instruction. Online master’s programs in English language learning also provide a more convenient format for busy working professionals.
When researching online master’s programs in English language learning, finding one that coincides with your career goals is important.
Available concentrations
The school you choose may offer concentrations that allow you to specialize in a particular area of English language learning. These are a few of the possible options you may find available to you:
ESL/EFL education: This concentration is typically appropriate for individuals with little to no teaching experience who are interested in teaching English in a country other than the U.S., where English is not the primary language spoken.
K-12 ELL education: Focuses on developing skills related to teaching ELL/ESL learners. It’s typically ideal for currently licensed teachers who want to learn new techniques to become an ELL or ESL educator.
Common degree curriculum
While individual courses vary by your chosen area of emphasis and program, you can expect to take some variation of these standard courses.
Language Production, Theory, and Acquisition: Examines how humans use, understand, and interpret language. It usually takes a scientific look at ESL/ELL students and how they work to relate their native language to English.
Planning, Managing, and Implementing Instruction: Explores the keys to developing an effective ESL/ELL curriculum. Coursework usually focuses on helping learners better understand the thought process of ESL students and the best way to tailor classroom work to meet their specific needs.
Assessment Theory and Practice: Focuses on standardized testing — mainly their structure and strategies for ESL students approaching English-based assignments. In this course, ESL teachers learn effective assessment strategies that help contribute to positive learning outcomes.
Certification and license preparation
Certification and licensing for ELL teaching varies widely by state. Many master’s programs in English language learning have licensure built in, so students earn licensure simultaneously with their degrees. If you already have a teaching license, you can add an ELL certification. Again, requirements and processes vary by state. Be sure to check with the state you plan to teach in to determine the specifics. Here are two of the most common licenses:
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL): This certification is for ESL instructors working in non-English-speaking countries like China. It prepares teachers to instruct non-English-speaking students and teach English as a foreign language.
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL): This certification is for instructors teaching English in a native English-speaking country to students whose first language is not English. This credential provides teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to teach non-English-speaking students and improve their conversational and overall language skills.
Program accreditation
Accreditation is important because it validates the legitimacy of your degree. Employers also look favorably on candidates who have completed their master’s degree in English language learning at accredited institutions. Institutions can be regionally or nationally accredited. Students can confirm their school’s accreditation status via the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database.
Program completion timeframe
Online master’s programs in English language learning vary widely according to several factors, including individual program curricula and graduation requirements. Institutions develop their curriculum based on credit hours, prerequisites, core courses, and electives. Transferring credits from another institution can help speed up the degree completion process, but transfer policies vary by school.
On average, a full-time student can complete an online master’s in English language learning in two years. If you’re attending on a less than full-time basis, it could take as long as three years to complete.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in English Language Learning (ELL) Graduates
Graduates of online master’s degree programs in English language learning typically pursue careers in public or private schools. They may work on overall curriculum development for an entire school or district or focus on course instruction for ELL students.
While a bachelor’s degree may help students acquire entry-level positions, such as an assistant, a master’s degree is preferred by most school districts, public and private, and is often the minimum educational requirement for most teaching positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that approximately 42,200 ESL teachers are employed across the United States. This number includes those who teach or instruct youths and adults in remedial education classes, literacy, or English as a Second Language. Elementary and secondary schools employ 33% of these instructors; their annual mean wage is $58,590.
Below are some common careers one can obtain with a master’s degree in English language learning and the median annual salary for each.
Instructional coordinators use their online master’s in English language learning to develop a curriculum that engages and educates ELL students. ELL instructional coordinators may work closely with ESL teachers to identify key learning objectives and outcomes. They also may assist with coordinating standardized testing accommodations.
$66,490 per year
2%
ESL Teacher
ESL teachers interact daily with students to prepare them for the workforce or their next level of schooling. They may work in K-12 environments or with adults. They teach core subjects, such as math, reading, science, and history, and they work directly with students to help them develop stronger language skills, both written and oral. ESL teachers are typically multilingual and communicate with students both in English and in their students’ native language.
These language professionals can work in the public or private sector for a translating service or with individual companies. They convert information from one language into another. Interpreters work primarily with oral or sign language, while translators work with written language. Both interpreters and translators may work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms, meeting rooms, and conference centers.
$53,640 per year
4%
Professional organizations
In the field of English language learning, professional organizations provide a tremendous amount of support and resources for ESL educators. Some organizations focus on bilingual and multilingual education and the associated issues. Members of these organizations benefit from opportunities to network with other ESL educators across the country.
TESOL International Association: This organization provides a host of knowledge and resources to ESL/ELL teachers. It also includes career development options, certification programs, conferences, and online courses.
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: Membership in this organization includes over 12,000 ESL/ELL teachers and administrators. Working nationally, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages advocates for linguistic diversity and educational outreach.
National Association for Bilingual Education: NABE acts as a support system for ESL/ELL teachers. It helps improve educational material for bilingual students and advocates for student rights.
Financing Your Online Master’s in English Language Learning (ELL) Degree
While online master’s degrees are often less expensive than traditional on-campus classes, many students still need financial aid to help them pay for their education. Many resources are available through the federal government, nonprofit organizations, and private companies.
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to determining eligibility for grants, loans, and scholarships available through the U.S. government. Also, be sure to investigate individual schools and programs you’re interested in to find out about any scholarships or grants they may offer.
Student Finance Resources and Guides
If you have questions about financial aid, there are numerous online resources that can help answer your questions and point you in the right direction so that you can be sure you are accessing all the financial aid you are qualified for. You may want to start with the following:
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
