TESL 402: Principles of Linguistics for Teachers, 3 cr.
This course examines the components of the science of language and how these relate to teaching English as a second/foreign language. Although the emphasis is on the linguistic components of English, a comparison with other languages and implications for teaching a second/foreign language will be integral to the course. Among other topics, it will cover English phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics and offer classroom-oriented applications of linguistic principles for effective instruction of English as a second or foreign language. Prerequisite: graduate standing
TESL 406: Adult Needs, Design And Assessment, 3 cr.
Adult English language learners represent a wide variety of linguistic backgrounds, cultural experiences and personal needs. They may learn English for survival/life skills, job improvement or academic preparation. This course provides instructors with an appreciation for cross-cultural learners and their communication skills. In addition, this course looks at adult program options and their relationship to curriculum design. Principles of assessment, and varied assessment tools used in the adult education setting will also be addressed. Website tools aiding course management, assessment and self-study will be utilized.
TESL 409: Research Design and Methods, 3 cr.
A survey course that reviews some of the major trends and methodologies used in linguistics, language acquisition, and language teaching. It will provide an exploration of primarily quantitative approaches used in language-specific inquiry by examining a variety of studies from the literature, their questions, their underlying assumptions, and their design. Prerequisite: TESL 402
tesl 410: Techniques of Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language, 3 cR.
Survey of techniques specifically relevant to the teaching of English as a second language. Questions relating to the design and sequencing of ESL courses, to procedures for evaluation of ESL students and to the criteria for choosing, adapting and creating teaching materials. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, TESL 414 with a minimum grade of C and TESL-402 with a minimum grade of C.
TESL 414: Theories of Teaching English as a Second Language, 3 cr.
Survey of theories of the teaching and learning of English as a second or foreign language. A look at the historical growth and development of second language methodologies from grammar translation and the direct method, through the audio-lingual method and its offspring, and up to the current natural and eclectic period. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
TESL 420: Structure of Modern English, 3 cr.
Description and analysis of the major grammatical structures of spoken and written English in light of traditional, descriptivist, and transformational theories. Prerequisite: graduate standing and TESL 402.
TESL 427: Teaching Pronunciation, 3 cr.
This course covers practices and procedures involved in helping English Language Learners (ELLs) improve their intelligibility and increase their speech perception. Through an applied approach, students will develop a deeper understanding of English phonetics and phonology at both the segmental and suprasegmental levels and prosodics. They will learn how to apply this knowledge to teaching pronunciation to English language learners (ELLs) of all ages. The course will also cover societal attitudes about accent through an investigation of current research. Prerequisite: TESL 402 with a minimum grade of C and TESL 414 with a minimum grade of C and TESL 410 with a minimum grade of C.
TESL 430: Structure of Language, 3 cr.
Phonological and grammatical structure of a selected language and its genetic relations to others of its family. Topics may include Farsi, Arabic, Rotuman, Kirundi and Thai. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific languages. Prerequisite: graduate standing, TESL 402.
TESL 440: Language and Literacy, 3 cr.
Differences between spoken and written languages; the functions of writing in a literate society; writing systems with particular reference to English orthography; current psycholinguistic research on the acquisition of written language skills; pedagogical implications of linguistic views on literacy. Prerequisite: graduate standing and TESL 402.
TESL 442: Using Technology with Second Language Learners, 3 cr.
In this class, students will explore the interface between current approaches to second language (L2) pedagogy, theories of language learning, and technology. They will examine questions of the development and current status of computer applied language learning; the digital divide and language minority students; appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology for language learning; use of technology to support student instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, culture, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar; technology and learner variation; and issues of technology and assessment. Prerequisite: TESL 410 or consent of the instructor
TESL 445: Language Variation, 3 cr.
All languages vary - across time, distance, social class, gender, situation, and ethnicity. This course examines the societal and cultural influences on both the forms and uses of different varieties of English as well as other languages, and demonstrates how one's language and language variety affect one's identity, school achievement, etc. Topics include language attitudes and stereotypes, ideology, intercultural and interethnic communication, and the spread of English. Special emphasis will be placed on how these notions of language varieties apply to the teaching and learning of second and foreign languages. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
TESL 447: Pragmatics, 3 cr.
Study of the interface between language and meaning at the level of discourse. Focus on dialogic interaction between participants in conversation and explanation how language use indexes how the nexus of word meanings and speaker intentions come together to achieve communication. Additionally, a consideration of the multiple layers of context as factors that affect the interpretation of speaker role and appropriateness of use. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
TESL 451: Lexically Based Instruction, 3 cr.
This course is built on the notion that the optimal second/foreign language syllabus is a lexically based one. The course covers vocabulary knowledge and acquisition from the perspectives of both the second language learner and the teacher. Topics covered include what it means to "know a word", memory, dictionaries and other tools, learner strategies, vocabulary assessment, selection criteria, and teaching techniques. Prerequisite: graduate standing, TESL 402 and TESL 410.
TESL 452: Content-Based Instruction, 3 cr.
Exploration of content-based instruction as an approach to teaching English language learners. Functioning as both a method in the English as a second or foreign language classroom and as a technique for meeting the needs of English language learners in the content area classroom, its theory and practice are examined through the various models and the standard-based curriculum. Additionally, practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing ESL and content instruction, including classroom organization, teaching strategies for developing and integrating language skills, and choosing and adapting classroom resources are addressed. Prerequisite: graduate standing, and TESL 402 and TESL 410.
TESL 460: Second Language Acquisition, 3 cr.
This course provides a general introduction to the field of second language acquisition (SLA), giving a broad overview of the history of the field and helping students attain foundational SLA literacy. Through developing an understanding of linguistic, social and cognitive influences, students will explore how they can modify instruction to facilitate the acquisition of a primary and a new language in and out of classroom settings. Prerequisite: (TESL 410 minimum grade of C or LING 410 minimum grade of C) and (TESL 420 minimum grade of C or LING 420 minimum grade of C)
TESL 465: Experiential Preparation for Teaching English as a Second Language, 3 cr.
Emphasis on the preparation of materials and the development of teaching strategies for specific ESL classroom uses. Students examine and evaluate commercially prepared and teacher made materials and lesson plans and devise a limited set of materials of their own. Students will either demonstrate these materials or observe their use in an actual classroom or tutoring situation. Prerequisite:graduate standing, TESL 402, TESL 410, TESL 414, and a B average.
TESL 468: Principles of Language Assessment, 3 cr.
The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the fundamental concepts and principles of second language (L2) assessment. The students will gain hands-on experience in designing and administering language assessments in the areas of L2 reading, writing, listening, speaking, including vocabulary and grammar. In addition, this course is intended to train teachers how to evaluate popular standardized tests and help them interpret and write clearly about test results. Prerequisite: graduate standing, TESL 410 and TESL 414.
TESL 471: Evolution of Laws and Policies in language Instruction, 3 cr.
Survey of the historical and current ideologies, the laws which they informed, and the policies and practices which resulted regarding language use in the educational system. Use will be explored in terms of a language as a medium of communication, language as a medium of instruction, and language as a content area. Comparisons will be drawn between the U.S. and international contexts. After extensive readings in the literature and in class preparation, students will be expected to design a grant proposal and make a presentation on a topic directly related to an area of their choice. Prerequisite: graduate standing, TESL 402 and TESL 410.
TESL 490: Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language (title varies), 3 cr.
Survey of current research in English as a second language with particular emphasis on methodology and evaluation. After extensive readings in the current literature, students will be expected to carry out a project of their own. Topics may include materials preparation, current trends, SLA research, language and culture, bilingual education, vocabulary, and special education. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics. Prerequisite: graduate standing, TESL 402 (or LING 401), TESL 410, TESL 414, TESL 420, TESL 445, TESL 460, and a B average.
TESL 499: Thesis Seminar: TESL, 6 cr.
Guidance of students conducting research and writing a thesis to fulfill the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in TESL. This course requires approval of the instructor, Department Chair, and the appropriate College dean(s). Prerequisite: candidacy for the Master of Arts in TESL; seven courses in TESL including TESL 402, TESL 420, and a B average.
