MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Lilia Jurado, Spring '24

California State University, San Bernardino offers an excellent program for working teachers seeking to specialize in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).  

As an English teacher, I struggled to find graduate programs that accommodated professionals in the field who wanted to further their education. Many alternative schools claim to support teachers, yet they fail to accommodate our full-time commitments as educators. Worse, in my experience, many online programs are predatory, with incentives to profit from student failure. Unlike these alternatives, San Bernardino’s TESOL program promises that it is “designed to meet the needs of English teachers in classrooms with English learners both in the United States and abroad.” This isn’t just an empty statement written on their webpage; their promise was a sentiment that I genuinely felt while I attended this university. The graduate courses are manageable and thoughtfully structured for teachers. The program is considerate of the fact that we also have essays to grade, report cards to complete, and are tired after a long day. I finished in a year, but students can progress at their own pace without pressure to meet a rigid timeline. 

The professors are experts in their fields, with years of experience, and they are genuinely invested in helping you grow. Their classes enhance technical skills such as lesson planning, classroom management, and research in English Language Development. Beyond professional development, the instructors are encouraging and empathetic. As a first-year teacher, I often felt demoralized, exhausted, and isolated in my new environment. However, throughout my journey, my professors and peers cheered me on, shared advice, and offered stories about their own teaching experiences. In particular, Dr. Seferoglu, Dr. Roose, and my cohorts in the fieldwork portion of this program made learning a heartwarming and enjoyable experience. 

Now, as a high school English teacher at Stockton Unified, I always recommend San Bernardino’s TESOL program to all my colleagues seeking to obtain a graduate degree. If you're looking for a program that truly supports educators, this is the one!  

I can’t even begin to express how much I loved being a student in the CSUSB TESOL Master's program. I learned so much and created lasting connections with my cohort. I deepened my knowledge of evidence-based decision-making, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as innovative approaches to teaching English as a second language. As a 4th grade teacher, I have been able to apply what I learned directly into my classroom to support my multilingual students and their diverse learning styles. My acquired knowledge and skills have also been vital in my position as an adult ESL teacher and ESL department lead at my district’s adult school. A position I don’t think I would have felt prepared or qualified for if not for the amazing instruction I received at CSUSB.

Throughout the program, I learned the value of being a reflective practitioner and a lifelong learner. I especially want to acknowledge the amazing professors, such as Dr. Seferoglu, who guided me on my journey and made learning engaging and connected to real-world application. My experience was so memorable that I plan to continue my research and personal development by applying to the CSUSB Ed.D program. For all the reasons above, I would wholeheartedly recommend the CSUSB Masters in TESOL program.

There are several compelling reasons why I chose California State University, San Bernardino (CSU San Bernardino) for my graduate studies. The most significant factor is the program’s format. As an educator specializing in representation and accessibility in the classroom, I believe that the online format enables me to ensure that all voices from diverse regions of the country can be heard in this class. This aspect makes it particularly special in this regard. Another reason is the opportunity to simultaneously earn my Adult Education Credential with my Master of Arts (MA) degree. This was a goal I had before I discovered that CSUSB offered this credential. Lastly, the faculty in the program have been very helpful to me, striking a perfect balance of accommodating when I need it and motivating me when I also need it. Overall, I am very satisfied with my decision to join CSUSB’s MA in TESOL program. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to enhance their knowledge of TESOL and Second Language Acquisition.

After deciding to pursue a master's degree and researching various programs, the MA TESOL program at CSUSB was the clear choice for me for three reasons: the classes are fully online and synchronous, I could get my master's degree in one year if I took five classes per semester, and the director, Dr. Golge Seferoglu, was very encouraging and supportive when I talked with her about the program over Zoom. As a mom of two and a woman going back to school in my mid-40s, these were important factors to me. I had already been teaching for eight years as a volunteer ESL teacher. Still, the CSUSB MA TESOL program’s classes, lectures, assignments, projects, and discussions with my classmates were invaluable in providing supporting theoretical and practical knowledge and practice for teaching ESL and solidifying my personal teaching philosophy. Personally, I found the tech classes and field work class with Dr. Tamara Roose the most helpful for obtaining a job as a Level 1 ESL teacher at Torrance Adult School just months after graduation. Additionally, I discovered that I could simultaneously work on my Adult Ed credential via coordination with a different department at CSUSB. Overall, my experience as a graduate student in the MA TESOL program at CSUSB was exactly what I needed. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to teach ESL at any level.

As the saying goes, "time flies." Today is the last day of the semester, and it's also the last day of the program for me.

As an immigrant student myself, I fully understand how language barriers can slow down a student’s learning process. I remember taking science classes in the U.S. and misunderstanding the teacher was quite common. I also recall how difficult it was (and still is) to read materials and instructions in English.

This difficulty inspired me to dream of becoming an ESL teacher to help other immigrant or refugee students like me. I had dreamt of becoming an ESL teacher for many years but didn’t know what to do or how to start. In addition, I was always afraid that students in the U.S. might not want to come to me since English is not my first language.

I remember when I started looking for a program that suited both my financial situation and time constraints. After days of searching and researching, I was thrilled when I found the TESOL program at California State San Bernardino University (CSUSB). I felt like the program was designed for me. It fits me in every aspect, including saving me time and money.

The professors are kind, caring, and very helpful. They genuinely care about their student’s academic success and are concerned with the next steps their students will take after graduating from the program. They frequently reach out to us, providing information about job opportunities and professional development.

My classmates are diverse, and it seems they come from every part of the world. I've learned so much from them, and the whole learning environment is just amazing.

If you're considering a TESOL program, I wholeheartedly recommend the one at San Bernardino.

Graduating from the CSUSB TESOL Master’s program in 2024 was an amazing experience that really modified and updated how I approach things, giving me advanced skills in practical real-life problem solving skills and fresh ESL teaching methods. Prior to this program I had ESL teaching experience abroad, however, the program not only deepened my understanding of teaching methods and classroom techniques, but also strengthened my overall confidence in teaching.

While at CSUSB I benefited from the exceptional instruction I received which has been instrumental in shaping my professional growth in the field. I appreciate working with a diverse cohort and staff, since I believe it is essential to fellowship with a wide range of backgrounds.

I consistently seek opportunities to merge education with cultural immersion. With a proven ability to adapt and thrive in dynamic environments, I am eager to embrace new challenges in ESL education. I have developed strong skills in classroom management, instructional technology, and curriculum development. I look forward to continuing bringing enthusiasm and innovation in my classrooms.

I also want to make a shoutout… I'm so grateful for the amazing professors, like Dr. Roose, and Dr. Seferoglu whose engaging teaching and focus on practical applications made my experience so much more rewarding. The CSUSB TESOL Master’s program has been invaluable in shaping me as an educator and lifelong learner. For anyone seeking to deepen their expertise in TESOL, I wholeheartedly recommend the CSUSB TESOL

program. I myself plan to pursue the CSUSB Ed.D. program after completing my English Language Fellow experience in Thailand in fall 2025.

I would unequivocally recommend the Masters in TESOL Program at CSUSB. I am a returning student in the middle of a career change. Prior to this program, I had been out of school for over twenty-five years and was uncertain about what to expect. I chose the CSUSB MA in TESOL program primarily because it was an online program that offered me the flexibility of taking online classes in the evenings and doing the fieldwork/student teaching in a location of my choosing. It has far exceeded my expectations. The professors are experts in second language acquisition and have opened my eyes to a vast array of tools and techniques I can use with my future students. Beyond their extensive expertise, the professors’ warmth and dedication to their students has been a breath of fresh air. They have taken the time to get to know us, help us with career planning and goals, and take affirmative steps to help us reach those goals. I also feel a sense of community, despite the fact that this is an online program. My fellow students are open and engaging. They come from a wide range of language and teaching backgrounds and have been willing to share their experiences to help all of us learn from them.

As I get ready to embark on my TESOL career, I feel supported and ready—and grateful to have been able to be a part of the TESOL community at CSUSB.

After much consideration and research into various master’s programs, the MA TESOL program at CSUSB stood out as the perfect fit for me for several reasons. First and foremost, the program’s flexibility, being online and meeting virtually, allowed me to balance my education with my responsibilities as a full-time worker and mother. Additionally, the program’s structure allows students to complete the degree in as little as one year, depending on their availability and the number of courses they can manage each semester. I finished the program in three semesters, which worked perfectly for my schedule.

CSUSB MA TESOL program equipped me with both the theoretical foundation and practical knowledge I needed to excel in the field. The classes were engaging, interactive, and highly collaborative, creating a supportive cohort where students felt comfortable to interact with each other. Both Dr. Seferoglu and Dr. Roose were exceptional professors who went above and beyond to guide their students. Their open communication, welcoming attitudes, and ability to foster meaningful group conversations made the learning process dynamic and enjoyable.

As someone managing a full-time job, the online format of this program was ideal. It allowed me to work toward my career goals without compromising my daily responsibilities. I would wholeheartedly recommend the CSUSB MA TESOL program to anyone looking to advance in the field of teaching English as a second language. It’s a well-rounded program that not only enhances your knowledge and skills but also provides you with the tools and confidence to succeed in your career.