Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2013-2014 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.A.


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Associate Professor Gordon, Graduate Program Co-director, 516-463-5170
Adjunct Assistant Professor Masrour, Graduate Program Co-director, 516-463-5653

The Master of Arts in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a 37-credit program intended primarily for international students who wish to become teachers of Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The program is designed to blend on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of settings. Literacy education, multicultural education, meeting the needs of learners with exceptionalities, and the use of technology are integrated throughout all aspects of the program. This program does not lead to New York state certification.
 

Admission Criteria


Applications for admission to the M.A. in LOTE and TESOL program are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Students who do not fully meet admission requirements may be required to complete prerequisite courses concurrently with completion of the program requirements. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

  1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 or higher GPA;
  2. Prior course work in a target language (see Foreign Language Content Requirements below);
  3. Personal statement describing the applicant’s intent and rationale for entering the program;
  4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in the teacher education program course work;
  5. TOEFL score of 80 or above (for international applicants); and
  6. Interview with the coordinator of the program.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success in the program. Candidates may wish to apply even if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.
 

Foreign Language Content Requirements


Students admitted to the M.A. in LOTE and TESOL program should possess a bachelor’s degree in Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese, Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish, German or Russian, or a minimum of 30 s.h. in college-level course work above level four.

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in a foreign language and are native speakers or skilled and proficient in languages other than English may demonstrate their knowledge in an alternative manner. Candidates can earn a maximum of 30 semester hours of credit toward the content core by passing both the oral and written proficiency portions of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) examination. An additional 6 credits can be taken at the undergraduate level. The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Written Proficiency Test (WPT) must both be taken and passed to receive the credit. M.A. candidates must also take the New York state Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) in LOTE and TESOL.

Program Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 37


General Studies Component – Total Semester Hours: 6


Language and Literacy Component – Total Semester Hours: 6


TESOL Component – Total Semester Hours: 9


Electives – Total Semester Hours: 6


LING and ENGL courses (selected under advisement).
 

Field Experiences


Field experiences are required in each of the following courses:

A minimum of 150 clock hours of college supervised field experience is required.
 

Graduation Requirements


Graduation from the program requires the completion of:

  1. All course work for the M.A. in LOTE and TESOL Program with an overall GPA of 3.0; no grades below B in required courses.
  2. All foreign language content requirements.
  3. 37 s.h. of course work.
  4. A portfolio illustrating the student’s educational course work and professional accomplishments.
  5. All course work taken in satisfaction of the program requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnote*


Course requires participation/observation in designated schools.

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