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Statement of Purpose: Graduate Study in Language Teaching

In a 300-500 word statement, written in the language you will be pursuing (English, French, Spanish), indicate your career and professional goals and explain why you wish to pursue graduate study in language teaching. 

Also include:

• Interests and Academic Accomplishments: Highlight your specific areas of interest within the field of language teaching and detail any academic achievements that have prepared you for graduate study.
• Travel Abroad and Teaching Experience: Discuss any relevant experiences you’ve had abroad, as well as your teaching background, if applicable.

Language Proficiency Requirements

Non-native applicants to the French and Spanish emphases should have an undergraduate degree in the language or present evidence of equivalent language experience. Otherwise, applicants will be required to complete more coursework before taking language emphasis courses or take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and score in the Advanced range.

For applicants whose native language is not English, the official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be at least 83, with no section lower than 19. The program will also accept an IELTS score of a 6.5, with no sub-test score below a 6.

Priority Application Deadlines

Fall        August 10
Spring      January 5
Summer    May 10

Core course requirements (15 hours):

• WL 561 Teaching Second Languages: Theory into Practice
• WL 663 Applied Linguistics in Second and Foreign Languages
• WL 664 Second Language Acquisition Theory and Practice
• WL 665 Sociocultural and Sociolinguistic Perspectives in Language
• WL 694 Practicum in Second or Foreign Language

Other requirements:

• TESOL: A minimum of 12 hours of TSL courses, plus two electives; for students whose first language is English, 9 hours of foreign language study with a "B" average or better
• Spanish and French: 18 hours in the language emphasis
• Successful defense of a professional portfolio

World Languages has approximately eight assistantships available yearly for qualified individuals to tutor, assist in, and teach introductory language courses in French or Spanish ​on the Hattiesburg campus. Assistants receive a monthly stipend, access to health insurance, and a tuition waiver during fall and spring, usually for two years. An assistantship in French or Spanish to teach courses at the university generally requires the completion of 18 hours of graduate credit in the target language. Interested applicants must complete their online program applications by March 5. A separate letter, addressed to the MATL Director and that describes the applicant's interest in the assistantship, is also required by that date. 

Graduate students in the MATL or from other institutions who wish to study at a language institute can combine travel, study, and research for graduate credit. Students take language courses, in addition to conducting work on a specific research project for a total of six hours of graduate study. The French program supports learning opportunities in Paris; check with Dr.%20Joanne%20Burnett. Spanish graduate students can study at the in Cádiz, Spain. A faculty member from USM will be on site to supervise the students' program of studies.