Master of Arts Degree in Education now available

This fall semester, a new concentration in the Master of Arts degree in education will be offered for students interested in the advanced study of teaching English as a second language or a foreign language. The name of this newly implemented program is called TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.)

"Thirteen of our sister Universities have this program," said Karen Grady, assistant director of Curriculum Studies and Secondary Education, as well as the current coordinator of TESOL. "There has been a need in this area for some time now."

After surveying the Sonoma County community of local educators, as well as current English majors at SSU, more than 100 people expressed an interest in this kind of program. 

"It's provided expertise in an area that is very needed here," said Grady. "There are at least 43 different languages spoken in Sonoma County."

The School of Education is working alongside the linguistics and anthropology department, as well as the English department to help bring this program to life as SSU.

"Now we have enough faculty members to teach this," said Hee-Won Kang, professor in the department of literary studies and elementary education.

Not only would this kind of degree be useful for those looking to stay in the local area, but it is also great for graduates who are interested in teaching abroad. 

"The TESOL program will be unique at SSU," said Kang. "Most universities only teach English as a second language. Students aren't taught how to teach it as a foreign language too, which allows for International jobs."

The program is unique for a second reason as well. TESOL will prepare students to teach kindergarten on through the university level, whereas most other college programs of this kind only prepare students to teach adult learners.

The class courses will be seminar style with a focus on theory, research and practice of teaching English. 

"One of my long range goals is to develop teaching internships for students in other countries," said Grady. 

"We already have relationships in South Korea and China that we might be able to build on."

This kind of professional training is needed now more than ever because there is an increasing demand for English teachers. 

"Having this expertise can not only help people who don't yet have a teaching job lined up, but also those who are already teaching and have a credential," said Grady.

Students who are accepted to the program can choose to either get a certificate or fulfill the necessary requirements to complete the Master's degree. The certificate requires that only 18 units be completed, whereas the M.A. requires 30 units.

"With a certificate, graduates can teach abroad, but having the advanced degree is more marketable and you can do more with it," said Grady. 

Depending on the kind of final project that a student chooses to do, finishing the degree requirements will take about 3-4 semesters. "Final projects can range from research and a thesis statement to developing curriculum," said Grady.

In order for graduate students to apply for this program they need to have a 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation and provide the department with a professional statement, expressing their goals for the future and how they expect the M.A. to contribute to those goals.

Applications for the fall semester are due in by March 31 and the program is anticipating to admit between 15 and 20 students.