Overview

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme at James Madison University provides a comprehensive academic foundation for aspiring educators. Students engage with advanced linguistic theories and research regarding the social variables that influence how individuals acquire a new language.

This four-year course of study is designed to meet the specific licensure requirements set by the Virginia Department of Education. Graduates are equipped to facilitate and assess instruction across various content areas while navigating the legal frameworks governing the education of non-native speakers.

The curriculum emphasises the development of cultural competence and practical instructional models.

Why Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at James Madison University?

The programme is distinguished by its alignment with the World-Class Instructional Design Assessment (WIDA) standards. This ensures that students are trained using internationally recognised benchmarks for English language development and proficiency testing.

Students benefit from specialised facilities at the Education Support Center located in Memorial Hall. The university provides dedicated advising to help students select complementary minors, such as Liberal Studies, which strengthen their subject area competencies for professional practice.

The teaching features include a strong focus on scaffolding techniques and cognitive support strategies. This prepares educators to handle multi-level classrooms by incorporating appropriate language supports tailored to various stages of the second language acquisition process.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 15953 per semester
National fee: USD 15953 per semester
Local fee: USD 7150 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Linguistics
English Linguistics
Social and Cultural Variables in Language Acquisition
Language Instruction in Content Areas
Educational Laws and Policies
Language Acquisition Theories
Cultural Competence
Instructional Models
Learner Characteristics
Teaching Reading
Phonemic Awareness
Vocabulary Development
Guided Reading
Grammar and Syntax
Editing Skills
Professional Studies

Careers with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Graduates of this programme are eligible for a Virginia teaching license for PK-12 English as a Second Language. This qualification enables them to pursue roles as ESL teachers within public and private school systems across the state and beyond.

The skills acquired also prepare students for roles in educational consultancy or language programme coordination. Many graduates find opportunities in diverse instructional settings where expertise in sociocultural variables and language scaffolding is highly valued.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

English

Liberal Arts

Research

Internship

Language

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-08-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00 , National

More details

National students: Regular Decision - January 15.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Harrisonburg, United States

Disciplines

Language Studies Teaching English as a Foreign Language View 2646 other Bachelors in Language Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.2

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Successful completion of the equivalent of a US secondary education
Minimal 2.25 GPA (Grade Point Average) - equivalent to 77-79% or a 'C+' average
Diploma or certification of graduation from High School in your home country
Undergraduate applicants who intend to major in theater, dance, music and studio art must also submit a portfolio and/or arrange an audition.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

31906 USD / year

≈ 31906 USD / year
Out-of-State

31906 USD / year

≈ 31906 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14300 USD / year

≈ 14300 USD / year

Living costs

Harrisonburg

United States

1050 - 1715 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Harrisonburg

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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