MA in Language Teaching

The MA in Language Teaching fosters the study of languages as an integral part of a world-class education in a global society. It is designed to promote the development of knowledgeable, reflective, inquiry-oriented professionals prepared to teach foreign languages and English to speakers of other languages. The primary goal is to enable students from all nations to fully participate in the multicultural, interdependent communities of the 21st century. This program is an interdisciplinary program for graduate students interested in the effective teaching and learning of international languages.

Mission

The program promotes the development of knowledgeable, reflective, inquiry-oriented professionals prepared to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and foreign languages. It also promotes the development of educators who use curriculum, assessment, and professional standards in foreign languages and TESOL to guide effective practice. The MA in Teaching International Languages prepares language professionals for a broad spectrum of cultural contexts and instructional settings in the United States and abroad, and enables students from all nations to fully participate in the multilingual, interdependent communities of the twenty-first century. Lastly, the program also serves as a pre-doctoral preparation program for language educators.

Goals & Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of language learners in foreign/second language contexts.
• Develop competencies in and demonstrate knowledge of foreign/second language curriculum, instruction, and assessment guided by state and national standards.
• Develop competencies in and demonstrate knowledge of the target language and culture(s).
• Engage in professional development that advances accomplished teaching of international languages and effective utilization of an ever expanding interdisciplinary knowledge base for the benefit of language learners.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students demonstrate knowledge of language learners, second language acquisition, and the interaction of second language acquisition theory, research, and practice.
2. Students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in foreign/second language teaching (e.g., methods, approaches, and strategies) and culture teaching/learning in foreign/second language contexts.
3. Students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in curriculum development and language learning materials in foreign languages/TESOL.
4. Students demonstrate knowledge of and skills in assessment, testing, and evaluation in foreign languages and TESOL.
5. Students further develop oral, reading and writing proficiency at the advanced level in the target language while extending their pluralistic cultural literacy and demonstrating the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate culturally contextualized texts and traditions. (Applies to Foreign Language pattern)
6. Students demonstrate knowledge of and competencies in linguistics, and/or teaching literacy and composition. (Applies to TESOL pattern)
7. Students develop knowledge of professional standards and demonstrate competencies in inquiry-oriented, standards-based, reflective practice.
8. Students demonstrate knowledge of and tools for conducting a broad variety of research for continued professional development and /or further academic study.