LINGUIST List 15.979

Tue Mar 23 2004

Sum: MA TESL/TEFL Programs

Editor for this issue: Steve Moran <stevelinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Karen Stanley, summary: components of an ideal MA TESOL program

I posted a query on Linguist (Linguist 15.861), ESLCC, HEIS-L and
TESLIE-L asking what the essential components of an MA in TESOL should
be. I would like to thank the 17 people who responded (in
chronological order): Corinne Renguette, Eva Easton, Lida Baker, Liz
Ravenwood, Noah Silbert, Janet Bing, Mark James, Tom Leverett, Debbie
Shields, Rudy Troike, Satina Anziano, Deborah Crusan, Mike Medley,
Laura Kimoto, Ann Johnston, John Rutledge, and Ed Nicholson

Below is a summary of the (a) TESOL-related components, (b)
linguistics components, and (c) other components. If a number appears
next to the component, it represents the number of people who listed
that component. No number signifies that it was mentioned by only one
person.

By far and away the most mentioned component was a practicum, so I
have listed it above everything else.

---------------------------------------------------------

Practicum/internship and observation of classes -12

TESOL courses

---methods - 5

	-suggestion that different methodology courses be developed
 for different
	-teaching situations
	-should differentiate between conversational English and
 academic English
	-should include teaching one semester of reading/ writing/ 
 vocabulary and one of speaking/pronunciation/listening

---testing/assessment - 5
---materials development/preparation - 3
---how to teach composition/writing - 3
	-current styles should be included
---pedagogical grammar - 2
---English pronunciation - 2
---how to teach reading to adults - 2
---quantitative research methods
---curriculum development
---practical application of theory
---CALL (computer assisted language learning)
---adult ESOL
---program administration
---action research
---lesson planning
---classroom management


Linguistics

---SLA - 7
---phonetics/phonology - 5
---syntax - 5
---sociolinguistic/intercultural communication - 4
	-include discourse analysis
---basic/general linguistics - 3
---history of English - 2
---morphology
---typology
---semantics
---pragmatics


other

---requirement to take foreign language(s) - 3
---foster supportive environment for students 
---warn students in the US that job prospects are very poor, and to
 only go on if they plan to teach overseas, do not plan to be the
 primary breadwinner, will combine the TESL degree with another (such
 as business or computers), or are exceptionally gifted
---balance theory and practice
---for programs in ESL environments, the opportunity to teach in an
 EFL environment (possibly during summers)
---background in identifying learning disabilities across cultures
---ethics course
---people should not think that short (a few days/weeks) certificates
 are adequate
---programs should be sure to help teachers meet the (US) state
 requirements for a teaching certificate
---include practical electives, such as journalism, cognitive
 psychology, sociology, anthropology

---------------------------------------------------------
Karen Stanley - karen.stanley  cpcc.edu
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA