Beginning a graduate program in TESOL can be a daunting prospect, as students encounter not only a great deal of new information, but also new ways of thinking, writing, and interacting. Many of the expectations are implicit, and it is often not until they are well into their program that many students begin to feel at ease. By making norms and expectations for professional and academic behavior explicit, this text seeks to assuage the anxieties of beginning MA TESOL students and facilitate their entry into the TESOL community. The first part of the book is an accessible introduction to foundational information about the profession, including a brief history of the field and discussion of current theoretical and pedagogical issues. The second half of the book provides frank, practical guidance regarding the graduate school experience. Students learn about expectations regarding research, writing, and professional development and suggestions for managing these.