Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Min

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Curriculum

The TESOL Minor consists of five courses:

AL 101 – Introduction to Language and Linguistics (cross-listed with GSL 500: Foundations of Linguistics)
AL 103 – Structure of the English Language
AL 220 – Languages of the World
AL 243 – Teaching Oral Skills in a Second/Foreign Language (cross-listed with GSL 543: Teaching Oral Skills in ESOL)
OR
AL244 – Teaching Reading and Writing Skills in a Second/Foreign Language (cross-listed with GSL 544: Teaching Reading and Writing in ESOL)
AL 310 – Methodology of Second/Foreign Language Teaching (cross-listed with GSL542: Introduction to Language Teaching)

List of Courses

AL 101 – Introduction to Language and Linguistics: This course provides an introduction to the nature and structure of human language, as well as the basic methods of its scientific study. The course is framed in terms of four guiding questions: what are the components of the language system; how do we acquire this system; how is this system used in society; and how is this system represented in the brain. Credits: 4

LSC/Core: Social and Institutional Dimensions of Human Behavior/ History & Society

Notes: Optional Applied Language Component

AL 103 – Structure of the English Language: This course will give students the tools for talking about English grammar – the grammar they may already know and use. Once they become familiar with these tools or “metalanguage,” they will use them to explore how different grammatical choices are used strategically to make meaning, and how these choices can improve writing and speaking performance for both native and non-native speakers. Credits: 4

AL 310 – Methodology of Second/Foreign Language Teaching: This course covers principles and methods of second and foreign language learning and teaching. A practical experience component includes classroom observations, peer micro-teaching, and opportunities to instruct small groups of ESL or FL students. This course is useful for foreign language majors, language education majors, and students interested in teaching ESL/EFL. Credits: 4

AL 410 – TEFL/TESOL Practicum: The TEFL/TESOL Practicum is an intensive, four-week professional training program (120 hours) leading to a professional certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). It covers all essential aspects of English language teaching from a practical classroom perspective. It offers concrete experience with methods and techniques, reflecting current communicative principles of language teaching and learning. This program is ideal for new entrants to the field, as well as for working teachers who wish to gain a professional qualification or to update their methodology. Although this is an undergraduate course, students who opt to complete an extended capstone project may also earn six credits of advanced standing toward the SMC MATESOL program, subject to all other eligibility requirements. Credits: 4

When Offered: Summer

GSL 543 – Teaching of Oral Skills in ESOL: Relevant theoretical issues as well as demonstration and discussion of materials and techniques for teaching the skills of listening, speaking, and pronunciation to all levels and all ages in various environments are the foci of this course.

Credits: 3 cr.

Miscellaneous Notes:
Required for Pre-K-12 ELL Licensure and Endorsement. Involves a 20-hour, grades 7-12 practicum.

GSL 544 – Teaching Reading and Writing in ESOL: The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of current theories in teaching reading and writing to language learners. The course discusses the basic reading and writing skills that language learners need, presents a framework of methods and techniques to teach these skills, and suggests curricular assessment techniques for selecting and evaluating instructional strategies and materials.

Credits: 3 cr.

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�ճ��TESOL Minor is designed to give Saint Michael’s students a solid foundation in the principle skills necessary to teach English as an additional language to the speakers of other languages. Students in the TESOL Minor can benefit from and use the Minor in several ways: Students majoring in a foreign language will better understand the linguistic and cultural components involved in language learning; students planning Study Abroad will have useful opportunities to work with international students and new Americans from around the world as tutors and/or conversations partners; students preparing to teach may work with second language learners in Vermont and around the country; and students planning any career that involves international communication will gain cross-cultural sensitivity to other users of English as a global language. �ճ��TESOL Minor gives students a head start on an MATESOL degree (Master of Art in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Saint Michael’s. Students who complete the TESOL Minor are able to finish the MATESOL in one calendar year after their graduation.