Program Director: Frank Tang
Address: East Building
239 Greene Street, 635
New York, NY 10003-6647
Phone: 212-998-5494
Master's Degrees in TESOL
The TESOL Program seeks to enhance students' understanding of English and non-English-speaking cultures, across the various modes of interpretation and expression through an examination of their own languages and cultures and interaction with students from other cultures. Students may earn a master's degree, with or without New York State certification, or a Ph.D. degree. These degree programs prepare TESOL specialists for the elementary, secondary, or college levels.
TESOL courses focus on pedagogical alternatives, applied linguistics, and field experiences that enable students to obtain a sense of the extra academic environment in which they will function. Courses examine theory and practice, materials and techniques, different linguistic and cultural environments, student assessment, the structure of American English, linguistic analysis, and second-language acquisition. In addition to courses in TESOL, students may take courses in related areas such as bilingual education, foreign language education, and reading.
Degree Requirements
The master's degree programs prepare teachers of English to non-English speakers:
1. TESOL (not leading to state certification)
Students wishing to teach at the college level or international students who plan to teach abroad may earn an MA degree without achieving certification. The program requires the completion of 34 points. A copy of the curriculum may be downloaded or obtained from the program director.
Sample course offerings include
E29.2002 Teaching Second Languages: Theory and Practice
E29.2201 The Second Language Classroom
E29.2205 Structure of American English
E29.2003 Linguistic Analysis
E29.2060 Language Evaluation and Assessment
All international students are required to complete Advanced English Language requirements at the NYU's American Language Institute (ALI). Courses may be waived based on ALI English Proficiency Test results. An opportunity to do a supervised teaching internship for credit is available for native or proficient speakers of English. Students should expect to spend three semesters in residence to complete the program. The TESOL College and Adult program will not be affected by the changes in the State teacher certification regulations.
2. TESOL: K-12 (all grades)
Students desiring certification must complete 44 points. A copy of the curriculum may be downloaded or obtained from the program director. Sample course offerings include:
E29.2002 Teaching Second Languages: Theory and Practice
E29.2201 The Second Language Classroom
E29.2205 Structure of American English
E29.2003 Linguistic Analysis
E29.2206 Second Language Acquisition: Theory and Research
All students take the 0-point course, Drug and Alcohol Education/Child Abuse Identification/School Violence: Social Responsibilities of Teachers (E81.2999; E27.2999 effective Fall 2007), required by New York State. All international students are required to complete Advanced English Language requirements at the NYU's American Language Institute (ALI). Courses may be waived based on ALI English Proficiency Test results.
Dual Certification: M.A. in Foreign Language Education (7-12) and TESOL (K-12)
This dual certification program enables students to learn to teach English as a second language (TESOL) and a target foreign language (French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish) in grades 7-12. The program of study integrates second/foreign language pedagogy, linguistics, cross-cultural studies, and second language acquisition research. Students will also have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses in their target foreign language along with advanced study in the structure of American English. A copy of curriculum may be downloaded or obtained from the program director. Students will gain a thorough foundation in second language acquisition theory and teaching methodologies in preparation for their practical field experiences and student teaching.
Beyond the Bachelor's Study
NYU's 15-credit post-baccalaureate certificate program is designed for new college graduates, international students, and those seeking new careers or challenges in international settings.
Beyond the Master's Study
The Post MA or the Sixth Year Advanced Certificate in TESOL is a 30-point program for second language teachers, supervisors, teacher trainers, administrators, and materials developers who wish to continue their education beyond the Masters level. It is appropriate for those who wish to continue their study of TESOL or add to their teaching and learning experience. The Post-MA Advanced Certificate can also serve as a bridge between Masters and Doctoral study.
For more information, e-mail Frank Tang at frank.tang@nyu.edu.
Special Opportunities
Multilingual Multicultural Studies and the Program in International Education jointly offer a three-week, 6-point summer study abroad program in Shanghai, China. The curriculum offers educators an opportunity to examine the intercultural perspectives in multilingual multicultural education in China and to explore the teaching of language, particularly English and Chinese, across all school levels. The program is designed for graduate students, teachers, and curriculum specialists in TESOL, bilingual education, foreign language education, English education, and international education. This and other study abroad programs can be found here. Teaching and learning activities include classes and seminars taught by NYU faculty members and lectures by faculty members from local higher institutions such as Shanghai Teachers University.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our programs are in great demand as teachers, program coordinators, curriculum specialists, and evaluators in elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, and universities throughout the New York metropolitan area, across the country, and worldwide. Doctoral graduates are sought by for research institutions, colleges and universities. As immigration increases, more people are seeking to broaden their skills through language learning and cultural awareness. Opportunities are rapidly growing in many nonschool settings as well, such as community associations, immigrant resettlement agencies, publishing, training programs for multinational corporations, and international agencies both here and abroad.