Degree Overview
Master of Arts English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK-12)
Our online master’s degree program in English Language Learning will transform you into a leader in English as a second language (ESL) education. The program will prepare you to teach effectively in ELL or ESL settings and provide curricular leadership in your school system. The knowledge gained from your studies will help you become an asset in your community.
Washington Licensure
The M.A. in English Language Learning program prepares a student to receive the English Language Learner license in the state of Washington. Click here for additional details about Washington licensure requirements.
Who the Program is For:
- Licensed teachers with bachelor’s degrees who are interested in ELL or ESL instruction.
- District instructional personnel and curricula leaders.
- "Emergency credentialed" ELL or ESL teachers who need the endorsements to be considered highly qualified.
- Individuals who can typically spend 15 or more hours per week on their studies.
This program will be flexible and adaptable to your schedule. Click here to learn how your program works.
IMPORTANT: This program is not for those who want to learn to speak and write the English language. This program is also not for those interested in becoming English teachers or teaching English in a foreign country. The program can lead to an endorsement in ELL or ESL, but only in those states that have such endorsements. If your state offers an ELL endorsement and you wish to pursue that endorsement, you will need to complete your practicum at the K-12 level that aligns with your state endorsement requirements and the WGU ELL PreK-12 program. Students who complete their practicum in any other setting other than a K-12 setting should be prepared NOT to be recommended for licensure. Each student should be aware of the requirements of their particular state for K-12 educators.
What You'll Learn
Essential Knowledge and Skills
We developed our ELL program with significant input from experts and educational leaders who serve on our Education Program Council. This online master's degree program in English Language Learning (ELL) requires the completion of coursework to ensure you have the essential skills and knowledge to teach English as a second language, as well as the completion of a teacher work sample. The M.A. in ELL is nationally recognized by the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Key Subject Areas
These Courses Add to Your Credentials
Culture
Language Production, Theory and Acquisition
Field Experience in ELL
Theories of Second Language Acquisition and Grammar
Planning, Managing, and Implementing Instruction
Assessment Theory and Practice
Professional Role of the ELL Teacher
Subject Specific Pedagogy
Teacher Work Sample
WGU's online master's degree program in English Language Learning also requires the successful completion of a written project containing a comprehensive, original, research-based curriculum unit designed to meet an identified educational need. It provides direct evidence of the candidate’s ability to design and implement a multi-week, standards-based unit of instruction, assess student learning, and then reflect on the learning process.