Master's Degree Program
TESOL, MA
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.
M.A. Program in TESOL (All Grades - Leading to New York State Teacher Certification)
Students seeking state certification must complete 44 points of course work, which includes foundations in linguistics, structure of American English, methods, culture, second language research, and two student teaching placements at elementary and secondary levels. This curriculum may be completed in four or more academic semesters, studying full or part time, or on an accelerated, full-time basis in a little more than a calendar year, commencing early in the summer, followed by fall and spring semesters, and concluding the following summer.
M.A. Program in TESOL (Not Leading to New York State Teacher Certification)
Students wishing to teach at the college level or abroad may earn an M.A. degree without achieving New York State teacher certification. The program requires the completion of 34 points of course work, which includes foundations in linguistics, structure of American English, methods, culture, second language research, and field experiences.
M.A. Program in Teaching a Foreign Language (7-12) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (All Grades).
This dual teacher certification program enables students to learn to teach English as a second language and to teach a foreign language. The program of study integrates second/foreign language pedagogy, linguistics, cross-cultural studies, and second language acquisition research. Students have to do student teaching at the elementary level for ESL and the secondary level for the target language. Students who complete this 51point program will be certified in teaching ESL (all grades) and a foreign language (7-12). Students may also take the course Teaching Foreign Languages to Elementary School Children FLGED-GE 2018 to extend their certification to grades K6.
Study Abroad
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. 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.