TESOL Program goals for the Master’s program
- to familiarize students with the structure of the English language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse)
- to help students develop understanding of language variation, cross-linguistic differences, and ways in which native language background may affect second language acquisition and performance (first language transfer)
- to familiarize students with current theories and research on first and second language and literacy development and on development of bilingualism and biliteracy
- to help students develop basic skills as teacher-researchers and informed consumers of research who can find, analyze, and synthesize relevant research literature
- to familiarize students with research-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing standards-based ESL and content instruction
- to familiarize students with critical approaches to teaching EFL and ESL and provide them with opportunities to reflect on ethical dilemmas in the field
- to familiarize students with the principles of needs assessment and to provide them with opportunities to apply these skills
- to teach students how to adapt instruction to the learners’ age, proficiency level, linguistic background, communicative and academic needs, and native language and literacy development
- to help students develop understanding of and sensitivity to linguistic and cultural diversity and strategies to address the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students
- to help students become aware of issues of power involved in language learning and teaching
- to teach students how to find and select appropriate teaching resources and to use computer technology to assist their learners’ needs
- to familiarize students with multiple assessment models used to identify levels of language proficiency, acquisition and content learning as well as monitor progress
- to provide students with multiple opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practice
- to provide current and former students with multiple opportunities for professional development, including but not limited to lectures in Speaker Series in Language and Linguistics, featuring well-known scholars in the field
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.S.Ed.)