M.A. – TESOL
Objectives
English has become the most widely used language in the world today, particularly in the areas of science, commerce and education. Tens of thousands of students in developing countries are required to learn English in school. Thousands more study English in order to pursue careers or educational programs demanding English language skills. Refugees and immigrants to the United States desire English to survive and to establish themselves in their new homeland. There is thus a considerable demand for qualified teachers of English both here and abroad.
To help meet the need for trained Christian teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL), the Department of TESOL and Applied Linguistics offers two regular programs in TESOL: a Certificate in TESOL and an M.A. in TESOL. The programs are academically rigorous, yet focus on the practical aspects of teaching in a variety of settings. The department also seeks to serve teachers desiring to continue their professional advancement or upgrade their qualifications, and non-degree students interested in gaining basic teaching or tutoring skills, by offering a variety of separate courses, from introductory to advanced.
The M.A. in TESOL encompasses the goal of the certificate program plus the additional goal of broader academic training. Teachers are equipped for work in and beyond the classroom in administration, training, course design, etc.
The focus of the TESOL programs is post secondary and adult education. Those interested in K-12 ESL in U.S. schools should consult with the School of Education.
Program Requirements
The TESOL graduate programs require nine units of foundational work in language, culture, and Bible. Students who enter without such a background are required to take three units each of Introduction to Linguistics, Intercultural Communication and Bible (or their equivalents).
The M.A. TESOL program consists of 33 graduate units beyond the foundational units. A portfolio is required as a culminating experience for the degree. For specific details, refer to the ALT Handbook.
The M.A. in TESOL requires practice teaching.
The M.A. program requirements may be reduced for students with a background in TESOL, linguistics or English, but the minimum number of graduate units required is 33, of which 24 must be taken through Biola. A minimum of 12 graduate units must be taken on campus.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the M.A. in TESOL program must meet the qualifications specified in the Admission to the School of Intercultural Studies section, including a profession of Christian faith. In addition to these, foreign applicants who are non-native English speakers must demonstrate both spoken and written proficiency in English through an oral interview and by submitting their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results. The TOEFL must have been taken within the past five years. A score of 600 paper / 250 computer with a TWE score of 5 is normally required for admission to the graduate programs in the department. Non-native speakers are also expected to demonstrate oral English proficiency by means of an interview with a faculty member.
Because teachers and applied linguists are expected to have a high degree of competence in written English, all new graduate students, both native and non-native English speakers, are required to take the department’s Writing Proficiency Exam. If the results of the exam indicate that additional work in written grammar and composition is needed to enable a student to perform at the level expected for this field, he or she will be expected to do independent supplementary work on writing or to take and pass one or more writing courses available on campus, including special studies courses, SS 500 or SS 501, described below.
All graduate programs in the department require as a prerequisite a minimum of three semester units of acceptable Bible or theology coursework at the upper division or graduate level in addition to the specified foundational units. Foundational units may be taken concurrently with regular program courses but should normally be completed by the end of the first year.
Students normally begin their program in the fall.
Graduation Requirements
All students must successfully complete all required coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to qualify for graduation. No ALT course with a grade less than a B (3.0) will be counted for the Certificate or M.A.
The M.A. degrees are usually completed within two years by full-time students, but part-time students may have up to seven years.
Curriculum
Foundational Units
(May be taken concurrently with program courses.)
| Bible / Theology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Language & Linguistics | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
| Total | 9 |
Certificate in TESOL
| ISTE 509 | Structure of English | 3 |
| ISTE 525 | Introduction to TESOL — Adult | 3 |
| ISTE 527 | Materials Evaluation & Preparation | 3 |
| ISTE 560 | Communicating Values through TESOL | 1 |
| ISTE 614 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| ISTE 692 | Practicum in TESOL II | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
M.A. in TESOL
All the Certificate in TESOL courses, plus the following:
| ISTE 621 | Advanced Methods & Techniques in TESOL | 3 |
| ISTE 632 | Language Testing & Assessment | 3 |
| ISTE or ISAL Electives | 7 | |
| Bible or World Perspective Elective | 3 | |
| ISTE 697 | Portfolio | 1 |
| Total | 33 |