Master of Arts English: TESOL

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The M.A. in English (TESOL) is an intensive program that can be completed in four quarters. The program is designed to foster the awareness, understanding, and skills necessary for the effective teaching of English to speakers of other languages. Through study in language, pedagogy, and culture, it prepares educators to work with adult language learners in the United States and abroad. Graduates are qualified to work in colleges and universities, private institutes, and programs and schools in the United States and abroad that provide instruction in English.

Admission Requirements

• Pre- or co-requisites to completion of the program include an upper-division linguistics course and intermediate-high proficiency in a second language. International students whose first language is not English automatically meet this proficiency prerequisite. Applicants can be admitted to the program without this background, but they will be required to gain it while enrolled in the program. Students who do not have the prerequisites or who have assistantships are strongly encouraged to complete the program over a two-year period due to the challenging workload.
• The language proficiency requirement may be met in one of three ways:
  1. Thirty quarter credits of college courses in a foreign language with a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses,
  2. Intermediate-high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview, or
  3. Intermediate-high score on the Diagnostic ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test.
• Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 570 paper-based (230 computer-based/88 internet-based); those with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U. S. university may opt for a satisfactory TOEFL or GRE score. If the applicant's native language is English, scores for the GRE general test are required.

Course of Study

The TESOL curriculum is designed to be completed sequentially in 3-4 quarters. The time required for completion of the program will depend upon whether the student chooses the thesis or exam option, and whether or not the student holds an assistantship or must fulfill any pre-requisites. Students who do not have the pre-requisites or who have assistantships are strongly advised to complete the program over a two-year period due to the challenging workload.

All applicants for assistantships must submit a writing sample of 5-10 pages directly to the Department of English. The writing sample must include the student's name, birth date, and Student ID number for identification. For more information about assistantships, please click this link: Assistantships.

General Requirements of the Program: The program consists of 45 credits, as outlined below, and offers both a thesis and an exam option.

Thesis or Exam Option: The thesis option requires candidates to write a thesis and pass a one-hour oral examination over the thesis. In order to choose the thesis option, students must have GPA of 3.75 or higher in the program. If the exam option is chosen, students must pass a comprehensive written examination and take an additional approved elective. In order to prepare for the exam, students will register for two credits of ENG 596.

Two-year Schedule of Classes

Required Courses (35 credits)

	2012-2013				2013-2014
+ ENG 531 Focuses on research, theories, and approaches relevant to the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. Prerequisite: admission to the M.A. TESOL program. Principles and Practices of TESOL (5)			Spr.				Spr.
+ ENG 532 Study of English phonetics and phonology as well as pronunciation pedagogy. Prerequisite: admission to the M.A. TESOL program. Phonetics and Phonology (5)	Fall				Fall
+ ENG 533 Integrated historical and contemporary views on language and non-language factors affecting second language acquisition and on methodology in second language teaching and learning. Prerequisites: ENG 532 and admission to the M.A. TESOL program. Second Language Acquisition (5)		Win.				Win.
+ ENG 535 Linguistic perspectives on an approaches to literature, with an emphasis on poetry and prose. Prerequisite: admission to the M.A. TESOL program Linguistics, Literature, and TESOL (5)			Spr.				Spr.
+ ENG 537 Study of English grammar and approaches to grammar instruction. Prerequisite: admission to the M.A. TESOL program. Pedagogical Grammar and Discourse I (5)	Fall				Fall
+ ENG 538 Advanced study of English grammar, discourse, and approaches to grammar instruction. Prerequisite: ENG 538 Pedagogical Grammar and Discourse II (5)		Win.				Win.
+ ENG 592 Supervised field experience in literacy education or teaching English as a second language/foreign language. May be repeated for credit. Graded S/U. Practicum (2)	Fall				Fall
+ ENG 592 Supervised field experience in literacy education or teaching English as a second language/foreign language. May be repeated for credit. Graded S/U. Practicum (3)			Spr.				Spr.

Thesis Option:

ENG 700 Master's Thesis/Project (6)
Department-approved elective (4)

Exam Option:

ENG 596 Individual Study (Exam Preparation) (2)
Department-approved electives (8)

Total: 45 credits