Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA) |
2022-2023 GRADUATE STUDIES CATALOG
Volume 1: 2022.2023
Effective 1 June 2022 through 31 May 2023
Please see the Graduate Catalog Archives for PDF versions of past catalogs.
This program is offered by the School of Education. It is available online, at the St. Louis home campus and at select international campuses.^ Please see the Campus Locations and Offerings section of this catalog for a list of campuses where this program is offered.
Program Description
The master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages (MA in TESOL) at Webster University is designed for individuals who seek to develop the English skills of non-native and multilingual speakers living in either English-speaking or non-English-speaking communities The program allows candidates to develop a solid theoretical background in critical aspects such as culture, language structure, first and second language acquisition theory, curriculum and materials development, teaching methodology, assessment and research, while preparing them to become effective language teachers.
The MA in TESOL has three emphases:
- ESL/EFL education emphasis – designed to meet the needs of future educators of adults in the United States and/or teaching English as a foreign language overseas. In this case, prior teaching experience is not required.
- International education emphasis – designed for current and future teachers of English in settings outside of the United States. In this case, prior teaching experience in not required.
- K-12 English language learner (ELL) education emphasis – designed to meet the needs of existing content area educators interested in expanding their knowledge of teaching ELLs. In this case, a certificate of license to teach is required.
^The ESL/EFL education emphasis is available online and at the St. Louis campus. The K-12 ELL education emphasis is available online and at the St. Louis campuses. The international education emphasis is available at the Athens, Webster University Tashkent, Webster University at Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Webster University at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, and Webster University at Astana International University campuses. Students in the international education emphasis at the Webster University Tashkent, Webster University at Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, Webster University at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, and Webster University at Astana International University campuses will be enrolled in the MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language as one single program leading to both the master's degree and the graduate certificate.
As part of the MA in TESOL – the K-12 ELL education emphasis, we offer coursework leading to the Missouri ELL Certification, a 21 credit-hour certification issued through Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The certification is designed for preK-12 teachers working with non-English speakers in regular, bilingual or English Language Learner (ELL) U.S. classrooms. A valid Missouri permanent or professional certificate of license to teach (participants in the TESL program at Webster may be working toward the initial certification, but will not receive the ELL certification until initial teaching certification is awarded) and three prerequisite courses (which may be undergraduate or graduate credit) of Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Student, Teaching Reading in Content Fields, and Reading Assessment and Interventions are required in order to obtain the certification.
Students completing the MA in TESOL with an emphasis in ESL/EFL education or the MA in TESOL with an emphasis in international education may qualify to earn a graduate certificate in teaching english as a foreign language (TEFL) where the certificate is available. To gain the certificate, MA students must pay a second graduation fee. The TEFL certificate is designed for students interested in teaching outside of the United States in both adult and K-12 settings. Students seeking this graduate certificate must have earned a recognized baccalaureate degree and meet the admission and acceptance criteria, as outlined in the graduate program’s Academic Policies. Students may receive the Webster University TEFL certificate by completing a minimum of 21 credit hours.**
*All students pursuing the Missouri ELL certification or the Webster TEFL certificate will be considered degree-seeking students and will have the option to pursue one of the MA in TESOL emphases within 5 years from the start of their TESOL coursework.
**Students cannot pursue both the Missouri ELL certification and Webster TEFL certificate within the same MA program.
Learning Outcomes
Program Goals – The following program goals are built on a conceptual framework of knowledge, implementation and reflection.
Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of:
- The English language system, its components (i.e., phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc.) and issues of linguistic variation (i.e., dialects, discourse, slang, humor, etc.).
- The major theories, key concepts and research in first and second language acquisition (SLA).
- Modern and traditional teaching approaches, as well as the legal processes and policies that have influenced the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages field.
- Multicultural aspects and personal variables (i.e., background experiences, values, beliefs, gender) that affect the process of language acquisition and cultural integration.
- Effective learning and communication strategies.
- Curriculum design and appropriate materials/textbooks.
- Current and historical aspects of assessment design and implementation, as well as their implication for various stakeholders.
Candidates will practice in their classroom:
- Various standards-based instructional strategies to support effective educational practices that value individual and cultural differences.
- Standards-based curriculum designed on modern teaching theories and meaningful, authentic content and language materials (i.e., experiences that model social and academic contexts by integrating all language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing).
- Multiple culturally-informed, valid, reliable, authentic, pragmatic and non-biased assessment techniques that measure learning progress and teacher/program/content effectiveness.
- Technology-centered activities that promote content and language learning, following a constructivist model that allows ample language input and practice.
Candidates will reflect on:
- The roles educators take in collaboration with colleagues, school administrators, paraprofessionals, parents and community members to advocate for the needs of their community of learners and their direct access to resources.
- Personal growth through on-going participation in personal development activities.
- Effectiveness of instructional and assessment approaches in the classroom with the view of achieving equitable education for their ELL students.
- Curriculum appropriateness in compliance with national and regional standards, as well as program expectations and student diverse needs, preparedness, resources and ability.
- The need to support and encourage ELL students and families in their journey of social, cultural and linguistic accommodation.
ESL/EFL Education Emphasis
33 Credit Hours
Required Courses (24 credit hours)
- TESL 5230 Theories of Foreign and Second Language Acquisition* (3 hours)
- TESL 5139 Instructional Methods for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5220 Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5350 Sociolinguistics* (3 hours)
- TESL 5030 Linguistics for Language Learning and Teaching* (3 hours)
- TESL 5311 Language Assessment* (3 hours)
- TESL 5710 Teaching English Grammar
or TESL 5720 Teaching English Pronunciation (3 hours) - Three credit hours of Practicum selected from:
- TESL 5040 Practicum in English Language Classrooms (taken at the end of the program)* (1-3 hours)
- TESL 5041 Tutoring in English (1 hour)
- TESL 5042 Initial Practicum in English Language Classrooms (1 hour)
*Course contains a key assessment for data collection purposes.
Electives (9 credit hours)
- TESL 5710 Teaching English Grammar (3 hours)
- TESL 5720 Teaching English Pronunciation (3 hours)
- TESL 5730 Materials Development in Language Classrooms (3 hours)
- TESL 5750 Special Institute in TESL (3 hours)
- TESL 5200 Independent Study (3 hours)
- TESL 6250 Thesis (3-12 hours)
and TESL 6900 University Thesis Requirement (0 hours) - COMM 5199 Teaching Writing
or COMM 5280 Written Communication (3 hours) - COMM 5440 Integrated Language Arts (3 hours)
- COMM 5340 Language Arts Seminars: Teaching Language and Language Issues (3 hours)
- COMM 5344 Introduction to Linguistics (3 hours)
- EPSY 5510 Psychosocial Aspects of Migration (3 hours)
- EPSY 5490 Seminar in Immigrant and Refugee Experiences (3 hours)
- EDTC 5630 Advanced Topics in Classroom Technologies (3 hours)
International Education Emphasis
33 Credit Hours
Required Courses (24 credit hours)
- TESL 5230 Theories of Foreign and Second Language Acquisition* (3 hours)
- TESL 5139 Instructional Methods for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5220 Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5350 Sociolinguistics* (3 hours)
- TESL 5030 Linguistics for Language Learning and Teaching* (3 hours)
- TESL 5311 Language Assessment* (3 hours)
- TESL 5710 Teaching English Grammar (3 hours)
- Three credit hours of Practicum selected from:
- TESL 5040 Practicum in English Language Classrooms (taken at the end of the program)* (1-3 hours)
- TESL 5041 Tutoring in English (1 hour)
- TESL 5042 Initial Practicum in English Language Classrooms (1 hour)
*Course contains a key assessment for data collection purposes.
Electives (9 credit hours)
- TESL 5730 Materials Development in Language Classrooms (3 hour)
- TESL 5740 English for Academic Purposes (3 hours)
- TESL 5750 Special Institute in TESL (3 hours)
- TESL 5760 English for Specific Purposes (3 hours)
- TESL 5200 Independent Study (3 hours)
- TESL 6250 Thesis (3-12 hours)
and TESL 6900 University Thesis Requirements (0 hours)
K-12 ELL Education Emphasis
33 Credit Hours
Required Courses (24 credit hours)
- TESL 5230 Theories of Foreign and Second Language Acquisition* (3 hours)
- TESL 5139 Instructional Methods for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5220 Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5350 Sociolinguistics* (3 hours)
- TESL 5030 Linguistics for Language Learning and Teaching* (3 hours)
- TESL 5311 Language Assessment* (3 hours)
- TESL 5730 Materials Development in Language Classrooms (3 hours)
or COMM 5270 Visual Communications
or COMM 5530 Technology and Teaching (3 hours) - Three credit hours of Practicum selected from:
- TESL 5040 Practicum in English Language Classrooms (taken at the end of the program)* (1-3 hours)
- TESL 5041 Tutoring in English (1 hour)
- TESL 5042 Initial Practicum in English Language Classrooms (1 hour)
*Course contains a key assessment for data collection purposes.
Electives (9 credit hours)
- COMM 5199 Teaching Writing
or COMM 5280 Written Communication (3 hours) - COMM 5440 Integrated Language Arts (3 hours)
- COMM 5340 Language Arts Seminar: Teaching Language and Language Issues (3 hours)
- TESL 5710 Teaching English Grammar (3 hours)
- TESL 5720 Teaching English Pronunciation (3 hours)
- TESL 5730 Materials Development in Language Classrooms (3 hours)
- TESL 5750 Special Institute in TESL (3 hours)
- TESL 5200 Independent Study (3 hours)
- TESL 6250 Thesis (3-12 hours)
and TESL 6900 University Thesis Requirements (0 hours) - COMM 5820 Foundations in Reading Instruction (3 hours)
- EPSY 5490 Seminar in Immigrant and Refugee Experiences (3 hours)
- EPSY 5510 Psychosocial Aspects of Migration (3 hours)
- SPED 5318 Global Issues in Special Education (3 hours)
- EDTC 5630 Advanced Topics in Classroom Technologies (3 hours)
Missouri ELL Certification
21 Credit Hours
All students pursuing the Missouri ELL certification or the Webster TEFL certificate will be considered degree-seeking students and will have the option to pursue one of the MA in TESL tracks within 5 years from the start of their TESOL coursework.
Required courses (21 credit hours)
- TESL 5230 Theories of Foreign and Second Language Acquisition* (3 hours)
- TESL 5139 Instructional Methods for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5220 Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development for Language Classrooms* (3 hours)
- TESL 5350 Sociolinguistics* (3 hours)
- TESL 5030 Linguistics for Language Learning and Teaching* (3 hours)
- TESL 5311 Language Assessment* (3 hours)
- Three credit hours of Practicum selected from::
- TESL 5040 Practicum in English Language Classrooms (taken at the end of the programs)* (1-3 hours)
- TESL 5041 Tutoring in English (1 hour)
- TESL 5042 Initial Practicum in English Language Classrooms (1 hour)
Admission
See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:
Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119
Additional Requirements
Requirements for admission to the MA in teaching English to speakers of other languages program include:
- Receipt of official transcripts from the baccalaureate granting institution.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Non-native speakers need to pass TOEFL, paper-based score of 575 and above (International students – see graduate catalog).
Advancement to Candidacy
Students are admitted to their graduate program upon completion of all admission requirements. Students are advanced to candidacy status after successfully completing 12 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. In specialized programs, courses required as prerequisites to the program do not count toward the 12 credit hours required for advancement.
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