Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.A.

Location(s): Main Campus

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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL) prepares teachers for a wide variety of positions both in the U.S. and abroad. Students may select coursework that prepares them for several career choices, including the following: English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction in the U.S. or in a non-English-speaking setting abroad; K-12, adult education, or post-secondary settings; and research in Applied Linguistics. The program emphasizes language acquisition processes, teaching methodology, linguistics, language testing, research, and sociocultural influences.

Program Requirement

A total of 36 units is required, with at least half of the units earned in 5000-level courses. A comprehensive examination, or a thesis or project is also required. There is a limit on credit that may be earned in variable-unit courses. See Restrictions on Credit Earned in Variable Unit Courses.

Admission to the Program

Students must first apply for admission to the University in graduate standing. Then, they must make a formal application to the College of Education and the TESOL Program. Once they gain admission to the university with graduate status, they must consult a faculty advisor for program planning. In addition to the University requirements for admission to graduate study, all applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the program:

1. Have a minimum 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.

2. Grade of B or better in one of these courses:

TESL 4000 Linguistics in Language Education (3); or
EDSP 4010 Cognitive, Linguistic, and Literacy Processes of Individuals with Special Needs (3); or
ENGL 4101 Introduction to English Linguistics (3);

3. One year of college-level study in a foreign language or equivalent.

4. Visa Students only (in addition to the above):

TOEFL: minimum score 100ibt or 600 pbt, or
IELTS: minimum score 7.5

Learning Outcomes Roadmap (2020)

Requirements for the Degree (36 units)

Required Core (24 units)

EDFN 5000 - Research Methods in Education [3] **
TESL 5600 - Theories of Teaching and Learning Second Languages [3]
TESL 5620 - Methods for Teaching Second Languages [3]
TESL 5640 - Teaching English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes [3]
TESL 5670 - Language Testing [3]
TESL 5680 - Practicum in English as a Second Language [3] *
TESL 5700 - Educational Sociolinguistics [3]
and select one course:
TESL 5610 - Pedagogical Grammar for Teachers of ESL/EFL [3]
ENGL 4170 - Modern English Grammar [3]
Notes:

* May be waived for students with substantial ESL/EFL teaching experience who successfully demonstrate their teaching competency (must be certified by a TESOL program faculty member).

** Students who choose to write a thesis are required to obtain an advisor’s approval and must take EDFN 4250

Electives (8 or 12 units)

Select remaining units from the following, with advisor approval. TESL 5960 students must complete 12 units.

EDCI 5490 - Policies and Practices for Emergent Bilingual Students [3]
EDCI 5540 - Theory, Research, and Practices in Dual Language/Bilingual Education [3]
EDFN 4250 - Statistics in Education and Human Services [3]
EDIT 4300 - Information Technologies in the Classroom [3]
EDSP 4010 - Cognitive, Linguistic and Literacy Processes in Individuals with Special Needs [3]
ENGL 4170 - Modern English Grammar [3]
ENGL 5040 - Seminar: Theories of Composition and Rhetoric [3]
ENGL 5050 - Seminar: Topics in Composition, Rhetoric, and Language [3]
TESL 5610 - Pedagogical Grammar for Teachers of ESL/EFL [3]
TESL 5650 - Using Computers in the Language Classroom [3]
TESL 5660 - English Phonetics for Second Language Teachers [3]
TESL 5690 - Language Planning and Language Policy [3]
TESL 5720 - ESL/EFL Course, Syllabus and Materials Design [3]
TESL 5730 - Current Issues in Classroom Second Language Acquisition [3] *
TESL 5750 - EFL/ESL Reading-Writing Connections [3]
TESL 5970 - Graduate Research [1-3]
TESL 5980 - Graduate Directed Study [1-3]
Note:

*May be repeated once for credit with prior approval of a TESOL adviser.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis or Project (0 or 4 units)

Select one of the three sets:

Set A:
TESL 5960 - Comprehensive Examination [0]
Set B:
TESL 5990A - Thesis Planning [2]
TESL 5990B - Thesis [2] *
Set C:
TESL 5995A - Project Planning [2]
TESL 5995B - Project [2] **
Notes:

Students should expect to take TESL 5960 during the Fall or Spring Semester after they complete all coursework on their program and must comply with college and division requirements.

* Students who do a thesis are required to obtain advisor approval and are required to take EDFN 4250 . The selection of an appropriate thesis or project topic may allow students to substitute thesis or project units for other course work in the program, with advisor approval.

** May be repeated once for credit.

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