Master of Arts in the Teaching of English as a Second Language
and Applied Linguistics
About the Program
The MA in TESL/AL is a comprehensive program carefully balancing theory and practice. The program develops an awareness of current thought and practice in ESL education and AL, providing the specialized knowledge and skills program candidates need to successfully teach ESL in diverse academic settings in the U.S. and abroad.
Program Objectives
- Expand and diversify the scope of the candidates’ professional training
- Maximize the candidates’ educational experience
- Broaden the candidates’ pedagogical knowledge and skills
- Strengthen the candidates’ professional competency
- Increase the candidates’ preparedness for present- day societal challenges of multiculturalism and multilingualism
- Help the candidates obtain a North Carolina “M” License in the Teaching of ESL
- Enable the candidates to develop relationships and bonds with cohorts of peers
- Enhance the candidates’ earning potential
Learning Outcomes
- Teacher candidates gain an understanding of, and expertise in areas such as:
- Language acquisition and language learning
- Social and psychological aspects of language
- Cultural aspects of language
- Grammar for ESL teachers
- Principles and methods of teaching ESL
- Testing, assessment, and evaluation in ESL
- Literacy skills development in ESL
- Differentiated instruction in ESL
- Descriptive linguistics
- Varieties of English
- Discourse analysis
Application Deadlines
- Fall admission – July 15
- Spring admission – November 15
- Summer admission – April 15
Degree Requirements
The MA TESL/AL requires completion of 39 (thirty-nine) credit hours of course work, including 6 (six) credit hours of thesis or 6 (six) additional credit hours of course work within ESL. Candidates with an initial teaching license are able to add a Professional - I ESL teaching license upon completion of 18 (eighteen) credit hours in the core areas.
Disclaimer: Only pre-licensed candidates can obtain a North Carolina “M” License in the Teaching of ESL upon issuance of the MA degree. Candidates may apply for a North Carolina Professional I License in the Teaching of ESL as soon as they have completed 18 credit hours of required coursework.
Time Limits for Completion
Candidates have six (6) years to complete the MA in TESL/AL.
Progression Requirements
Candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and may not earn more than two grades of “C” to remain in good standing in the program.
Required Courses
Note: * These 18 credit hours are required for Professional I licensure in Teaching ESL
Recommended Electives
Select 9 credit hours from the following courses:
ESL 6201 Research Methods in Linguistics
ESL 6202 Special topics in Linguistics
ESL 6601 Master’s Thesis (optional)
Accreditation
The MA in ESL is fully accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE has adopted standards established by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) to ensure the adequacy of preparation of ESL teachers. The program is aligned with the recently revised NC State Board of Education Standards for teachers of ESL and with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.
Admission Requirements
- Evidence of foreign language experience at the college level
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Official transcripts submitted by the deadline
- Three professional references validating applicant’s professional experiences
- Completed graduate application, including application fee and applicant’s Statement of Purpose, submitted to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Winston-Salem State University
206 Thompson Center
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Faculty
Ludovic M. Kovalik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
MA and Ph.D. degrees in TESL/Linguistics, Oklahoma State University/Stillwater
Doina L. Kovalik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Coordinator
MA and Ph.D. degrees in TESL/Linguistics, Oklahoma State University/Stillwater
Departmental Links
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