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2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Education in Literacy Studies - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Emphasis

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Education section in this catalog.

Website: www.gvsu.edu/coe/grad

Mission - Teaching, leading, and learning in a democratic society.

Philosophy - Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students, and b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.

Values - The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we serve.

The program provides teachers with the theoretical, practical knowledge, and skills necessary to teach non-native speakers of English. The program focuses on language and cultural issues, methodologies and curriculum design. A major or minor in English, modern languages, bilingual education, or equivalents desired. Candidates from other disciplines must have an introductory course in linguistics, EDR 634 Linguistics for Teachers. Students are also encouraged to take EDR 602 (Teaching English Language Learners Across Content), which is a course for teachers in the content areas. This course addresses methods and strategies for teaching ESL students in content area classes.

Minimum Number of Hours in Program
The M.Ed. degree with emphasis in TESOL, teaching English to speakers of other languages, requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. An endorsement in English as a second language (ESL), K-8 or 6-12, requires a minimum of 24 credit hours. All applicants to the TESOL program must demonstrate experience learning a second language.

Program Location
DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Requirements for M.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Each candidate for the M.Ed. degree must complete the following:

Social foundations of education - choose one (3 credits):

Research and evaluation (3 credits):

Emphasis area courses (21 credits):

Choose one:

Practicum/graduate field experience (3 credits):

  • EDR 685 - English as a Second Language Practicum Credits: 3

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Capstone (prerequisite: EDF 660) - choose one (3 or 6 credits):

Students should meet with their advisor midway through their program to decide on a capstone and discuss plans for completion. Subject to department approval, capstone courses may be taken in variable amounts from one to three credits (EDR 693) or one to six credits (EDR 695) and require continuous enrollment each semester until completed.

Application deadlines (thesis/project): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Requirements for ESL Endorsement

Candidates can receive K-12 endorsement by completing the 33 credit hour TESOL master's program, passing the Michigan Subject Area Test, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Candidates interested in the K-8 or 6-12 endorsement should take the following 24 credit hours.

Emphasis area courses (21 credits):

Choose one:

Practicum/graduate field experience (3 credits):

Students must apply in advance for each practicum course. Advisor approval is required. Application deadlines (practicum): February 15 for spring/summer, May 15 for fall, September 15 for winter semester.

Candidates adding a new endorsement must pass the Michigan Subject Area Test and maintain a 3.0 grade point average.


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