TESOL MA

Program Overview

The purpose of the Master of Arts degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is to prepare students to evaluate principles underlying effective research and to develop some depth in the following areas: (1) specialized teaching knowledge and skills, and (2) curriculum development, materials development, or administration and supervision.

The TESOL MA program provides professional-level preparation for careers in teaching English to speakers of other languages in any of the following areas:

• Intensive English programs at universities
• ESL/EFL courses for private companies
• English as a foreign language (in non-English speaking countries)
• Supervision/Administration of ESL/EFL programs
• ESL/EFL teacher preparation
• Community college and university-level ESL courses
• Adult education ESL programs for immigrants and refugees

Completion of the MA TESOL program also provides a student with appropriate preparation for further study at the doctoral level.

Students graduating with the MA in TESOL from the Department of Linguistics and English Language develop knowledge in six domains:

1.   General English Language Proficiency: Proficiency in all skill areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) to be strong teachers of English.

2.   Linguistic Knowledge: Fundamental linguistic knowledge in the areas of phonology, syntax, and semantics.

3.   General Pedagogical Knowledge: General pedagogical knowledge in areas such as writing instructional objectives, planning classroom instruction, and assessing learning.

4.   Second Language Teaching, Learning, and Context Knowledge: The ability to utilize the linguistic knowledge and specialized language-teaching skills to effectively instruct English language learners in varying classroom contexts.

5.   General Research Knowledge: The ability to understand and evaluate empirical research reports of the types commonly published in the social sciences.

6.   Second Language Teaching and Learning Research Knowledge: The knowledge and skills to (1) ask appropriate research questions in line with academic and professional interests in TESOL and (2) design valid ways to find answers to these questions.

The TESOL MA Program Learning Outcomes

The TESOL MA program is designed to achieve the following six program learning outcomes:

1.   Systems of Human Language: Demonstrate an understanding of the major systems of human language (phonology, morphology, lexicon, syntax/grammar, semantics, & pragmatics).

2.   Language Learning Theory: Analyze and apply theories of second language learning and acquisition.

3.   Teaching Strategies and Procedures: Examine second language teaching strategies and procedures and apply accepted principles of effective lesson planning and materials development.

4.    Research: Analyze, perform, and communicate professional-level research.

5.   Advanced specialized language teaching knowledge and skills in one of the following two areas: Reading/Writing/Vocabulary or Listening/Speaking/Pronunciation by (1) examining, selecting, and using methods conducive to effective learning of particular language skills and elements, (2) examining, evaluating, and creating materials to support effective language teaching and learning, (3) critically analyzing research in language acquisition and teaching, and applying it to classroom contexts, and (4) constructing, analyzing, and interpreting effective measures of language ability.

6.   Advanced specialized knowledge and skill in one of the following three areas: (1) curriculum development by developing professional quality curricula for English language teaching, (2) materials development by developing professional quality materials for English language teaching, or (3) administration and supervision by practicing recognized principles of effective teacher development and program operation.

Advisement

The Thesis or project committee is appointed when a student is admitted to the TESOL MA program. The chair of this committee serves as the academic advisor for the MA student.

Admissions

• Deadline for application is January 15^th (only once a year). Application is made directly to the Linguistics and English Language Department.
• Admissions decisions are based upon:
• Undergraduate GPA
• Letter of intent (including experience, commitment to the profession, and plans for the future).
• Letters of Recommendation
• GRE
• Engish language skills for all non-native speakers of English, whether or not they graduated from an English speaking school:  A TOEFL score of 237 (computer), 580 (paper), or 90 (internet based – iBT with minimum scores of 23 in Speaking and 22 in Listening, Reading, and Writing). For further information for international students, please see online at http://internationalservices.byu.edu.
• Students must begin coursework fall semester.  If you have not taken Ling 330 or equivalent, you can come spring or summer term, but must contact the department to set that up.
• Apply online at http://www.byu.edu/gradstudies.
• Program of Study (containing required and anticipated elective courses).  Note: Accepted students will meet with their assigned committee chair during the first semester of the program to adjust and finalize this list as needed.
• Brief proposal (500-750 words) of intended thesis research or project addressing its purpose, nature, and feasibility.
• The number of students admitted to the TESOL MA program depends on its capacity (which is projected to be a total of 15 active students) and the number of students who exit the program each year.
• Students admitted to the MA should plan to meet with their thesis or project chair to promptly identify a timeline for completing their project or thesis.

Requirements

• Listed Below
• Completed thesis or project and successful defense.
• Competency in one language other than English at the 200 level.  This requirement may be fulfilled while taking program coursework; but those language credits do NOT count toward the total credits needed for the program.

Sequence of Courses

Fall of 1st year

L601, Linguistic Foundations-Sound (3 credits)

L602, Linguistic Foundations-Structure (3 credits)

L610, TESOL Methods and Materials Overview (3 credits)

Winter of 1st year

L611, TESOL Methods and Materials Application (3 credits)

L612, TESOL Practicum (3 credits)

Elective 1: L670, Teaching skills, Reading/Writing/Vocabulary (3 credits) or L671, Teaching

Skills, Listening/Speaking/Pronunciation (3 credits)

Spring of 1st year

L620, Research in TESOL (3 credits)

Fall of 2nd year

L603, Linguistic Foundations-Meaning (3 credits)

L640, Language Acquisition (3 credits)

Elective Category 2: L677, Curriculum Development (3 credits) or L678, Materials

Development (3 credits), or L679, TESOL Supervision-Administration Internship

(3 credits)

L699R, Thesis credits (1 credit)

Winter of 2nd year

L660, Language Testing (3 credits)

L695, TESOL Seminar (1 credit)

L699R, Thesis credits (5 credits)

Total: 40 credits

Note: Other graduate-level linguistics courses and appropriate courses from other departments may also be used as electives with approval.