The full form of TESOL is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program is designed to prepare professionals in the field of teaching English as a second or foreign language who are knowledgeable of second language learning theory, up to date on the best pedagogical practices in the field, and able to reflect on their teaching and continuously grow as educators. Graduates are equipped to meet the needs of multicultural and multilingual learners, both children and adults, in a wide range of educational settings in the U.S. and abroad.

The TESOL program at MU is designed for:

• Candidates seeking advanced education in ESL/EFL teaching and learning;
• K-12 educators certified in the state of Missouri seeking ESOL certification.

Curriculum in the TESOL program is informed by second-language acquisition theories and pedagogy and is taught by faculty with expertise in second-language teaching and learning, including applied linguistics, intercultural communication, cultural anthropology and education. Faculty are active in the research community of TESOL and applied linguistics, which is reflected in the quality of the curriculum, innovation in instructional methods, and ability of the program to develop effective, responsive scholars and practitioners who use theory and research to enhance their work in a globally diverse and technological society.