Watch Dr. Yasko Kanno's interview on the state of ELL In education in the U.S.
TESOL Master's Program Goals and Competencies
Program Goals
- 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
Return to TESOL Master's Program.
Competencies
- demonstrate understanding of the English language as a system (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse) and ability to apply this knowledge for instructional purposes
- demonstrate understanding of language variation, cross-linguistic differences, and first language transfer and ability to apply this knowledge for instructional purposes
- demonstrate understanding of the processes of first and second language development and of development of bilingualism and biliteracy, as well as ability to apply current theories and research to support student learning
- demonstrate ability to find, analyze, and synthesize relevant research literature and to conduct teacher-research
- demonstrate familiarity with and ability to apply research-based practices and strategies to plan, implement, and manage standards-based ESL and content instruction
- demonstrate familiarity with and ability to apply critical approaches and ethical principles to teaching EFL and ESL
- demonstrate ability to conduct needs assessment in a variety of teaching environments
- demonstrate ability to adapt instruction to the learners' age, proficiency level, linguistic background, communicative and academic needs, and native language and literacy development
- demonstrate understanding of linguistic and cultural diversity and unequal power relations in society and ability to apply this knowledge to support student learning
- demonstrate ability to find and select appropriate teaching resources and to use computer technology to assist their learners' needs
- demonstrate mastery of multiple assessment models used to identify levels of language proficiency, acquisition and content learning as well as monitor progress
