TESOL:Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(M.A. only)
Overview
The M.A. Program in Linguistics (TESOL), founded in April 2006, builds on Sophia’s traditional strengths in linguistics and foreign language education. It provides graduate courses similar to those in the United States and Canada with emphasis on both theory and practice.
The approximately 10 faculty members in TESOL have advanced degrees from leading universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Japan, and are actively engaged in research, teacher training and publication in their specializations. They represent a diverse spectrum of applied linguistics and language education, ensuring a comprehensive program for anyone interested in teaching English as a second or foreign language.
Every year 8 applicants are admitted to pursue the M.A. degree, and although the TESOL program is a M.A. program, many students go on to study for their Ph.D. Linguistics program. The size of the program is kept small to encourage close student-faculty interaction.
The M.A. Program in Linguistics (TESOL) and the Ph.D. program in Linguistics offer the degrees of M.A. in Linguistics and Ph.D. in Linguistics respectively. The students are required to take three compulsory courses--TEFL(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in Japan, Introduction to Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition—as well as a designated number of credits from courses offered in the Core Courses, as well as Integrated Seminars I and II in consultation with faculty members. The students work on their M.A. thesis under the guidance of an academic advisor, who also chairs their M.A. thesis committee. Ph.D. students in Linguistics work on their dissertation under the guidance of an academic advisor, but are not required to do any specific course work.
Both the TESOL and Linguistics Ph.D. programs are designed in such a way that all required credits and consultation can be attained through the medium of English. However, there are also courses which are offered in Japanese as well. The TESOL and Linguistics programs draw on the resources of the Sophia Linguistics Institute for International Communication. The institute sponsors many lectures and workshops by both Japanese and international scholars—many of whom give their presentation in English--providing additional opportunities for the students to learn about their areas of specialization through the medium of English. The students are also encouraged to give presentations at domestic as well as international conferences starting from the M.A. level.
Admissions Information
--Entry Semester: Spring (April)
--Method of Admissions: Document screening and Oral Examination at the Yotsuya campus (online interview is not available)
--Information session:
An information session will be held in June 4, 2022. Click here.
(606.87 KB)Booklets about the TESOL Program and other topics are available for download from the webpage of Graduate School of Languages and Linguistics
Application Schedule for April 2023 Entry
1. September Examination （9月入試）
| Online application period |
June 15 - June 29, 2022 |
| Application documents submission Deadline | June 30, 2022 |
| Examinee ticket download date | September 6, 2022 |
| Oral examination Date | September 14, 2022 |
| Notification of results on the website | 10:00 a.m.(JST*), September 28, 2022 |
| Matriculation deadline | October 19, 2022 |
2.February Examination （2月入試） *only applicants who hold valid status of residence in Japan
| Online application period | November 16 - November 30, 2022 |
| Application documents submission Deadline | December 1, 2022 |
| Examinee ticket download date | February 7, 2023 |
| Oral examination Date | February 15, 2023 |
| Notification of results on the website | 10:00 a.m.(JST*), February 27, 2023 |
| Matriculation deadline | March 6, 2023 |
The above information was made available as of April 14, 2022.
Subsequent to the above date, unavoidable circumstances due to COVID-19 may result in changes in the University's policies and guidelines. Please note that in cases where any changes are made, the latest information are to be updated on this website as well as the booklet of the "Application Booklet."
The updated information will also be notified to registered applicants via email once the application period opens.
Application Booklet & Form
Download " Application Booklet 2023"
(263.42 KB)
*The details of the on-line application website are indicated in the above application booklet.
- Reference Letter Form PDF(48.67 KB) / WORD(34.50 KB)
- Application Materials Checklist(144.94 KB)
Fees and Aids
Details of Tuition fees
Details of Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship for Degree Students
If you are interested in MEXT scholarship, click here.