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ESL and Applied Linguistics

ESL and Applied Linguistics
ESL- (Add on Licensure Program)

Home / Graduate Studies / Graduate Programs / ESL and Applied Linguistics

Master of Arts in English as a Second Language and Applied Linguistics
with Teacher Certification Option

Dr. Charles Ford, Dean

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Elwanda Ingram, Interim Chair

Department of English and Foreign Languages

The Master of Arts w/ Licensure in ESL and Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary program with the main focus on teaching English as a second language and Applied Linguistics, particularly the descriptive, psychological, and sociological aspects of the latter. The program is both comprehensive and flexible and offers two broadly overlapping tracks—i.e., two plans of study—intended to meet the specific needs, career goals, and personal interests of candidates. The two tracks are ESL (general track) and ESL and Applied Linguistics (AL).

The ESL (general track) is designed primarily for candidates interested in language pedagogy and related research. The overall aim is to provide a thorough grounding in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for successful ESL instruction at any of the various educational levels. This track targets certified teachers who wish to enhance their knowledge of ESL and expertise in the teaching of ESL – especially individuals who wish to work with Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. The ESL and Applied Linguistics (AL) track is targeted to candidates interested mainly in the theoretical aspects of Linguistics and related research. It emphasizes the provision of an in-depth understanding of the core areas in Linguistics – phonetics & phonology, morphology & syntax, semantics & pragmatics, as well as sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics. This understanding of linguistic phenomena can be useful in identifying and addressing language-related problems pertaining to the teaching of English as a second language.

The program is aligned with the recently revised NC State Board of Education Standards for teachers of ESL and also with Standards for the National Board for Professional Teaching.

Eligibility for Admission

· Individuals who hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and a current teaching license in any area may enroll in the program to become NC certified ESL K-12 teachers. Individuals who do not wish to become certified can also enroll in the program.

· Undergraduate students may enroll in any course within the program for professional and/or personal development with the permission of the ESL Coordinator.

· Candidates must show evidence of having studied a foreign language at the college level. The ESL Program Coordinator will evaluate all previous transcripts.

· Non-native speakers of English and applicants coming from non-Anglophone countries must submit official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and either the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or its institutional equivalent—the SPEAK test.

Application Check List

· Completed admissions application

· Two official copies of transcripts from each college or university attended

· Official copy of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score report

· Written admission statement describing career goals

· Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references

· Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and either the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or its institutional equivalent—the SPEAK test (non-native speakers of English and applicants coming from non-Anglophone countries, only)

Degree Requirements

The M.A. requires 39 (thirty-nine) hours of course work, including 6 (six) hours of thesis credit or 6 additional course credits. However, licensure can be secured after the completion of 18 (eighteen) hours in the core areas including Descriptive Linguistics, Language Acquisition and Language Learning, Language and Culture in ESL, ESL Methodology, Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation of ESL, and Advanced Grammar for ESL teachers.

The overall aim is to help teachers (a) expand and diversify the scope of their professional training, which will maximize the educational experience of their students—particularly LEPs, and (b) meet the many challenges of our

multicultural/multilingual society.

Specifically, the proposed program will provide a curriculum that will help candidates acquire and develop knowledge and skills as they relate to ESL and Applied Linguistics. By the completion of the program, candidates will demonstrate the following:

· Skills for selecting, adapting, and analyzing materials appropriate for ESL teaching and effective strategies for using these materials in curriculum development

· Knowledge of current trends in the teaching of ESL and mastery skills in the use of a variety of effective methods/strategies for teaching at various levels in this area and skills in the effective use of technology in the teaching of ESL

· Competence in the use of a variety of diagnostic testing, evaluation, and test development procedures

· Knowledge of linguistic theory, including the structure of language and the principles of language acquisition, language development and language learning

· Understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity; understanding of the interrelationships involving language, culture, and society and the implications of those interrelationships for ESL teaching

· Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of various methodologies while thinking critically and conducting research /case studies within the context of ESL

· Professional attitude toward the teaching of ESL through study and investigation of current research reflecting the state of the art

Course of Study

Total hours required: 39 credit hours (with 6 hours of thesis credit)

39 credit hours (without thesis)

Required courses for both tracks (21 hours):

LIN 5301*	Descriptive Linguistics	3
ESL 5310*	Language Acquisition and Language Learning	3
ESL 5311*	Language and Culture in ESL	3
ESL 5312*	Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation of ESL	3
ESL 5313*	Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL	3
ESL 5315*	Advanced Grammar for ESL Teachers	3
LIN 5302	Social and Psychological Aspects of Language	3
ESL 6601	Master’s Thesis (Optional)	6

* These 18 hours are required for certification.

Required courses for ESL (general track)—any 4 out of the following 6

ESL 5317	Literacy Skills Development in ESL	3
ESL 5318	Differentiated Instruction in ESL	3
ESL 5319	ESL Materials, Curriculum, and Syllabus Design	3
ESL 5320	Teaching ESL Composition at the College Level	3
ESL 6301*	Research Methods in ESL	3
ESL 6302	Special Topics in ESL	3

* This course is required for ESL (general track) candidates who opt for writing a thesis. Candidates who do not opt for writing a thesis are required to take 2 additional courses.

Required courses for ESL and Applied Linguistics—any 4 out of the following 6

ENG 5301	History of the English Language	3
APL 5301	Discourse Analysis	3
APL 5302	Language Variety in American English	3
APL 5303	Language and Gender	3
LIN 6301*	Research Methods in Linguistics	3
LIN 6302	Special Topics in Linguistics	3

* This course is required for ESL and Applied Linguistics candidates who opt for writing a thesis. Candidates who do not opt for writing a thesis are required to take 2 additional courses.

For More Information:

Tika Owens

Phone: (336) 750-2808
Email: owensth@wssu.edu
Office: Hall Patterson Rm 201

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