The ME TEFL is an innovative one-year professional development program for teachers, teacher trainers, and administrators involved in teaching English as a foreign language internationally. This one-year intensive degree blends an examination of the latest language learning and teaching theories with practical hands-on practice in program and syllabus design and language teaching practice. The ME TEFL is designed for teachers and other professionals who wish to successfully enhance their practice and advance their careers in the English language teaching field.

Distinctive Benefits

• One-year professional development degree and training for experienced teachers
• Balance of theory and practice: Strong introduction to theory combined with focus on practical application
• Concurrent development of English language proficiency for international teachers through tailored courses in the USC Language Academy
• Integration of technology-enhanced learning and teaching
• Emphasis on professional engagement (CATESOL) and career planning
• Urban education focus and location provides ideal opportunity to explore global language learning issues - Los Angeles represents the second largest school district in the U.S., where 90 different languages are spoken
• Immediate teaching/tutoring experiences to apply classroom learning through partnerships with USC's Joint Educational Project (JEP) and American Language Institute
• Practicum experience provides opportunity to observe and teach classes under the supervision of an experienced educator
• Strong student support through program staff, faculty, and TESOL/TEFL Society

USC TESOL/TEFL Society

USC ME TEFL students have the opportunity to participate in the USC TESOL/TEFL Society, a dynamic student-run organization that promotes social and intellectual interaction and professional development among students and faculty interested in the TESOL and TEFL fields.

Career Options

• Language teachers in public and private schools and colleges in home countries and throughout the world
• Administrators in ESL/EFL programs
• Editors of English language materials
• Students in doctoral programs in the U.S.
• Curriculum specialists in secondary schools and other educational institutions
• Consultants to private and governmental education bodies
• Students in doctoral programs in the U.S.
• Teachers in elementary/secondary schools and colleges in the U.S. or in American international schools overseas (primarily U.S. domestic graduates)

Admission Requirements

The ME TEFL program is reserved for individuals who have prior experience in English language teaching. Therefore, documentation of at least one year of teaching experience (EFL or ESL) is required for admission to this program (see below for guidelines on documentation of teaching experience).

The target undergraduate cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher. The GRE exam is not required for admission to the ME TEFL program, but a current TOEFL score must be submitted by international applicants.

The ME TEFL program is designed to promote the professional development of individuals with a range of backgrounds including international teachers from various parts of the world. The ME TEFL program therefore offers tailored English language support to international teachers whose TOEFL score is below 100 iBT or 250 CBT. International students admitted to the ME TEFL program with a TOEFL score below 100/250 will enroll in the USC Language Academy for 20 weeks of specialized and intensive English language development. (ME TEFL students do not need to take USC's International Student English Exam (ISE)). Language Academy coursework begins in July prior to the start of ME TEFL courses and continues through the Fall semester. The minimum TOEFL score to be considered competitive for admission to this program is 79 iBT or 213 CBT.

Prospective candidates who do not meet all admission requirements but whose application is otherwise competitive may still be considered eligible for admission and are encouraged to complete the application process. Factors other than standard indicators will be considered such as nature of undergraduate coursework, personal characteristics, communication ability, special talents, significant experience or accomplishments, or compelling professional background or potential.

Program of Study - 28 units

Summer First Year

Intensive English instruction (non-credit) with the USC Language Academy - 15 hours per week for 6 weeks (if below 100/250 TOEFL)

Fall

• EDHP510 - Introduction to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• EDHP 518 - Applied Linguistics: Teaching American English Pronunciation
• EDHP 585A - English for Academic Purposes
• Intensive English instruction (non-credit) with the USC Language Academy - 15 hours per week for 14 weeks (if below 100/250 TOEFL)

Spring

• EDHP 519 - Applied Linguistics: Teaching English Grammar
• EDHP 521 - Course Design for Language Learning
• EDUC 585B - English for Academic Purposes

Summer Second Year

• EDHP 511 - Applied Linguistics: Discourse Analysis
• EDHP 588 - Practicum in Second Language Teaching
• EDUC 527 - Assessment in the Language Classroom
• EDUC 528 - Course Proposal Project