Education: Teaching English as a Second Language Concentration, M.A.

Required Courses (33 hours)

• ED 644 - Informal & Non-formal Education (3)
• ED 646 - Technology as a Tool for Global Outreach (3)
• ED 650 - Language & Culture (3)
• ED 651 - Modern Grammar & Linguistics (3)
• ED 652 - Methods of Teaching Language & Literacy (3)
• ED 654 - Materials, Design & Assessments for English Language Learners (3)
• ED 657 - Teaching Adult Language Learners (3)
• ED 661 - Language Acquisition & Development (3)
• ED 696 - TESL Practicum (3)
• ED 600+ Elective (6)

Education Academic Policy for Master’s Programs

Students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of coursework in one of the concentrations to receive a Master of Arts degree in Education. A maximum of 15 hours of transfer credit is allowed. To maintain enrollment, the student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate coursework with no grade below a “C.” Only one grade of “C” is accepted toward the 33-hour program. Only one course may be repeated one time in the entire program. Students who are unable to maintain these academic standards will be dismissed from the program.

Outcomes

The educational outcomes are designed to prepare practicing professionals with the skills necessary to demonstrate professional practice, integrate educational theory with practice, and to assume leadership roles through knowledge of current educational research and practice. Graduate education outcomes assess skills in receptive and expressive communication, thinking strategies and skills, professional dispositions, and depth and breadth of knowledge. All course requirements are tied to the Avila Learning Outcomes, School of Education Conceptual Framework, Missouri Standards for Practicing Teachers, and InTASC Core Teaching Standards.

Students who complete the TESL masters program will meet the following outcomes:

• Understand the nature of language and language learning.
• Understand the structure and use of English in different contexts.
• Understand culture and the role it plays in learning a second language.
• Consider a range of theories, approaches, methods, and techniques for learning and teaching a second language.
• Analyze and critique past practices and current trends in second language learning, teaching, and evaluation.
• Apply the knowledge they have gained by teaching in a supervised setting.
• Work with teachers and students in a multicultural environment.
• Further develop personal skills in using the English language.
• Develop a personal philosophy of second-language learning and teaching.
• Understand the evolving nature of second-language learning and teaching and have strategies for dealing effectively with this change.

Assessment

Outcomes for the Master of Arts degree in Education are assessed through key assessments and action research projects or field performance evaluations as indicated on course syllabi.

Alignment matrices showing the assessment of outcomes in each graduate concentration are located in the School of Education Office. Concentrations require capstone courses in which the outcomes are assessed in clinical settings.

Note

The Master of Arts degree in Education is a 33 credit-hour program with areas of concentration in International Advocacy and Leadership, Literacy, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Teaching and Learning.