The MA in teaching English as a second language (TESL) trains students to teach effectively while drawing on a solid theoretical foundation. Students gain relevant experience through supervised practicums and have the opportunity to teach in a variety of ESL/EFL contexts. The degree requires demonstrated proficiency at the intermediate level or above of one foreign language. The MA TESL offers two concentrations: 1) TESL and 2) TESL Teachers. The MA TESL prepares students to teach in a variety of ESL/EFL contexts, from literacy and adult education programs in the US to international teaching positions. The MA TESL degree requires 36 credits of coursework and students complete a capstone project with options of a 1) thesis, or 2) portfolio or exams. The MA TESL Teachers is a 48 hour program of study (including student teaching) preparing teachers for state licensure in Ohio and teaching in early childhood, primary, and secondary education.

Admission to the MA TESL

In addition to general requirements for admission, applicants are required to submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination (general test only) or the TOEFL (for international applicants), three letters of recommendation, and a one- to two-page statement of purpose. Apply to the Program.

Our program represents a unique, communication-based approach to TESL. Graduate students receive strong grounding in language theory while also developing the interpersonal skills necessary to provide intensive instruction to ESL students.

Degree Requirements

There are three requirements for the TESL MA:

1. Thirty-six hours of coursework drawn from several fields, including linguistics, English grammar, second language acquisition, language teaching, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, and computers in language teaching.
2. A Final Portfolio, Final Exam, or a six-credit thesis. Each student receives hands-on training and works closely with faculty in the preparation of the student’s choice of a professional portfolio, culminating exams, or thesis.
3. Foreign Language Requirement. Students must demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency in a foreign/second language prior to graduation. International Students (non-native speakers of English) can use English for this requirement; others must document completion of intermediate or advanced foreign language courses, or they can complete a language exam in the department and demonstrate intermediate level knowledge of a second/foreign language.

There are several requirements for the MA TESL Teacher's Concentration:

1. Forty-eight hours of coursework drawn from several fields, including linguistics, English grammar, second language acquisition, language teaching, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, computers in language teaching, curriculum design, standards-based instruction, and literacy in education.
2. A Final Portfolio or Final Exam. Each student receives hands-on training and works closely with faculty in the preparation of the student’s choice of a professional portfolio or culminating exams.
3. Foreign Language Requirement. Students must demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency in a foreign/second language prior to graduation. International Students (non-native speakers of English) can use English for this requirement; others must document completion of intermediate or advanced foreign language courses, or they can complete a language exam in the department and demonstrate intermediate level knowledge of a second/foreign language.
4. Admission to Student Teaching in Education Health and Human Services.
5. Completion of state mandated tests (Praxis I and II).
6. Student Teaching.

Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are available on a competitive basis and are limited to two years of study. As Graduate Assistants, most graduate students in the TESL program serve as ESL instructors and tutors. Limited opportunities for research assistantships and non-teaching fellowships are also available. Stipends are competitive and include a waiver of tuition and fees.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to teach abroad at one of several partner institutions in Japan, Germany, and Turkey, or to teach during our Intensive Summer Program.

TESL Faculty

Jessie Carduner (Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh) Language Pedagogy and Acquisition, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis (MCLS faculty)

Rebecca L. Chism (Ph.D., The Florida State University) Literature in Language Teaching, Technology in Language Teaching, Language Teacher Education (MCLS faculty)

Vickie Ellison (Ph.D., The Ohio State University) Language pedagogy, heritage languages, Spanish (MCLS faculty)

Klaus Gommlich (Ph.D., University of Leipzig) Teaching English as a Second Language, Second Language Acquisition, Functional Linguistics, Translation Studies (English faculty)

Kristen Precht (Ph.D,. Northern Arizona University): Corpus Linguistics, Register Studies, Sociolinguistics  (English faculty)

Sarah Rilling (Ph.D., Northern Arizona University) Computers in Language Teaching, Second Language Writing (English faculty)

Karl Uhrig (Ph.D., University of Indiana) Second Language Acquisition and Literacy in Schools, Teaching English as a Second Language (English faculty)

Course Requirements: 36 Hours MA TESL

Required Courses

• ENG 63040 Linguistics for the Language Professions
• ENG 63041 Descriptive Grammar of English
• ENG 63033 Second Language Acquisition
• ENG 63001 Methodology of TESL
• ENG 68492 Practicum in Teaching International Students

Choose One:

• ENG 63034 Literate Practices and Sociolinguistics
• ENG 63037 Pragmatics of Conversation

Select electives from the following, including up to six credits in appropriate graduate courses in other departments (check with your advisor):

• ENG 51002 Computers for L2 Teaching
• ENG 63034 Literate Practices and Sociolinguistics
• ENG 63037 Pragmatics of Conversation
• ENG 63039 L2 Curriculum and Testing
• ENG 63038 Teaching Literature and Culture
• ENG 63098 Research in L2 Pedagogy
• ENG 66895 Special Topics Courses in Linguistics and Language Teaching

Course Requirements: 48 Hour MA TESL Teacher's Concentration 

Required Courses

• ENG 51002 Computers for L2 Teaching
• ENG 63001 Methodology of TESL
• ENG 63040 Linguistics for the Language Professions
• ENG 63033 Second Language Acquisition
• ENG 63034 Literate Practices & Sociolinguistics
• ENG 63041 Descriptive Grammar
• ENG 63098 Research in Second language Pedagogy
• ENG 63039 Second Language Curriculum and Testing

Choose One

• ENG 63037 Pragmatics of Conversation
• ENG 63038 Teaching Literature and Culture

 

B. Education Coursework                                                                     21 credit hours

Required Courses:

• ENG 51009 Student Teaching
• C&I 61130 Multicultural Education: Strategies
• EDUC 65524 Learning Theories

Choose one

• C&I 67330 Reading in the Content Area
• C&I 67310 Theory and Practice in Teaching Reading

Choose one

• SEED 62146 Instructional Strategies
• C&I 67105 Improving Classroom Instruction

Applications

The application deadline for fall admission with assistantships is February 1. Applications for admissions only will be considered throughout the year. Application forms may be obtained online from the Admissions Office. For details on admission requirements contact:

Ms. Dawn Lashua
Department of English
Kent State University
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-1708
dlashua@kent.edu

For specific academic information, please contact:

Professor Klaus Gommlich
kgommlich@kent.edu