Master of Science in Education: TESOL

Program Code 540

This graduate program prepares students for New York State certification to teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in school settings (all grades). The curriculum is grounded in the study of the structure of human language in general and English in particular, and addresses issues of language acquisition, literacy, educational technology, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics. The program emphasizes involvement with both elementary and secondary schools: it provides a student teaching course and field experiences in two methods courses at both levels.

Admissions Requirements

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for admission.

• Completion of bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited American institution of higher education must submit proof of having achieved a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or equivalent.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A personal essay of approximately 500 words.
• The credentials of each applicant will be examined by the Linguistics Graduate Admissions Committee. Prior to admission, an interview will be requested, which includes demonstration of oral and written English language proficiency.
• The number of applicants approved for matriculation is limited by available resources. Therefore, applicants who otherwise meet minimum requirements for matriculation may not necessarily be admitted.
• Application deadline: April 1 for Summer or Fall matriculation.

Maintenance Requirements

• Minimum overall grade point average of B (3.0).
• All students must file a Program of Study form with the Program Director.

Degree Requirements

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for the Master of Science in Education degree.

• For students who possess a New York State teaching certificate, satisfactory completion of the following 39 credits: LCD 701, 702, 703, 705, 706, 707, 712, 720, 740.3, 741.3, 742, 790, and 796.
• For students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate, satisfactory completion of the following 44 credits: LCD 701, 702, 703, 705, 706, 707, 712, 720, 740.4, 741.4, 742, 790, 794, and 795.
• Completion of course requirements with a minimum overall grade point average of B (3.0).

Certification Requirements

• Students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate will be required to undertake the following course work in pedagogy:  Foundations of Education (SEYS 536), Child Development (EECE 710, 711, or 712),  and Foundations of Special Education  (ECPSE 550).
• Students with K-6 certification will be required to take Adolescent Development (SEYS 552).
• Students with 7-12 certification will be required to take Child Development (EECE 710, 711, or 712).
• All students must complete a general education core in liberal arts and sciences that includes study of:  Literature; American History; Social Sciences; Natural Sciences; Mathematics; and 12 semester hours or equivalent of study of a language other than English (including sign language).  Students may have satisfied these requirements in part or in full during previous study (undergraduate or graduate).  In case of deficiencies, appropriate course work must be taken in conjunction with and in addition to the course requirements for the Master’s degree.
• Students must consult with the Program Director for additional New York State certification requirements.

Course Descriptions

LCD 701. Introduction to Linguistics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Structural aspects of language most relevant to the ESL and/or literacy teacher.

LCD 702. Teaching English Sentence Structure I. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 701. Introduction to the grammar of English and applications to teaching ESL, Part I.

LCD 703. Teaching English Sentence Structure II. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 702. Introduction to the grammar of English and applications to teaching ESL, Part II. Continuation of LCD 702.

LCD 705. Language and Cross-cultural Communication. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 701. The acquisition and use of non-native languages from a cross-cultural perspective. Introduction to research on how non-native speakers learn the sociolinguistic and pragmatic rules of the target language and how inappropriate use of such rules often results in miscommunication between native and non-native speakers. Developing effective pedagogical techniques in teaching communicative competence to ESL learners.

LCD 706. Bilingualism. 3 cr.; 3 hr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 701. Sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic properties of bilingualism, legal history, and educational foundations of bilingual education. Bilingual education will be compared to other approaches. An emphasis is placed on the implications of bilingualism for ESL and/or literacy teachers.

LCD 707. Evaluation and Measurement in TESOL. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 703 and 741. Discussion of contemporary issues and problems in ESL testing. Construction and evaluation of reliable tests in all areas of language skills. Analysis of published standardized ESL tests, such as LAB and TOEFL.

LCD 712. Multiple Literacies in TESOL. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 741. This course provides a strong background in the teaching of the multiple literacies that English language learners need to thrive in today=s technologically changing society. The class explores the teaching of traditional alphabetic literacy skills involved in the English Language Arts. It also prepares students for instruction in emerging forms of communication, including media literacy, information literacy, and information technology. Components include assessment, methods, and materials development.

LCD 720. Teaching English Sound Structure. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 701. Introduction to the sound structure of English and applications to teaching ESL.

LCD 740. Second Language Acquisition and Teaching. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 701. Introduction to the linguistic and pedagogical theories and methods of teaching ESL. There is a field experience requirement at various school settings in conformity with New York State certification requirements. Classes may sometimes be held at these off-campus locations.

740.3. 3 hr. plus 25 hr. of fieldwork; 3 cr. (For students who possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

740.4. 3 hr. plus 50 hr. of fieldwork; 4 cr. (For students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

LCD 741. Methods and Materials of TESOL: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. Prereq.: LCD 702 and 740. This course is a comprehensive review of the methods and materials used in TESOL/ESL classes to teach the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class covers how to adapt methods and materials to suit learner populations of different ages and at varying levels of English proficiency. The role of instructional technology (e.g. audiovisual, multimedia, computers in ESL instruction) will also be addressed. There is a field experience requirement at various school settings in conformity with New York State certification requirements. Classes may sometimes be held at these off-campus locations.

741.3. 3 hr. plus 25 hr. of fieldwork tutorial; 3 cr. (For students who possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

741.4. 3 hr. plus 50 hr. of fieldwork tutorial; 4 cr. (For students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

LCD 742. Methods and Materials of TESOL: The Content Areas. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 741. In this course students learn the principles and practices for TESOL/ESL through academic content areas such as mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. Readings, model lessons, and authentic materials are used to examine the theoretical issues involved and apply them to teaching practices for ESL learners at the elementary and secondary levels.

LCD 790. Seminar in Research in TESOL. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 707 and 742. Analysis of selected research studies related to TESOL.

LCD 794. Student Teaching Internship in TESOL I. 3 hr. plus 20 hr./wk student teaching; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: LCD 742. Supervised student teaching in ESL classes, plus a weekly seminar at the College. (For students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

LCD 795. Student Teaching Internship in TESOL II. 3 hr. plus 20 hr./wk student teaching; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 794. Supervised student teaching in ESL classes at either the elementary or secondary level, complementing the level of student teaching in LCD 794, plus a weekly seminar at the College. (For students who do not possess a New York State teaching certificate.)

LCD 796. Student Teaching Internship in TESOL for Certified Teachers. 3 hr. plus 20 hr./wk student teaching; 3 cr. Prereq.: LCD 742. Supervised student teaching in ESL classes, plus a weekly seminar at the College. (For students who possess a New York State teaching certificate.)