TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

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Overview

Program Faculty

Professor: Andrea Stairs-Davenport (Associate Dean)
Associate Professor: Alexander Lapidus
Assistant Professor: Melinda Butler (Chair), Kathleen McGovern, Nicole Siffrinn

The University of Southern Maine (USM) program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is dedicated to improving the lives of English language learners and other culturally and linguistically diverse students. We prepare our students to serve as multicultural educators in Maine, elsewhere in the U.S., or overseas.

Our degree and certificate programs:

The only Master’s Degree in TESOL in the state of Maine: 

• Practicing teachers: You can choose to complete the degree online or through a blend of online and on-campus courses.
• Pre-service teachers: You can earn your initial PreK-12 ESOL certification (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

A Certificate of Graduate Study that can lead toward state ESOL endorsement. Complete our graduate certificate program in as little as one year. We welcome both certified teachers and those working toward teacher certification.

A self-directed Post-Masters Certificate of Advanced Study. Gain specialty in the areas of TESOL that best align with your interests and career. Can lead to state ESOL endorsement.

Program Benefits

• Advance your career: TESOL, TESL, and TEFL (English as a Second and/or Foreign Language) instructors are in high demand in the state of Maine, across the U.S., and abroad.
• Focus on teaching: Our graduates are prepared to teach in PreK-12 schools or adults in the community. Each degree and certificate program includes experiential learning through volunteer, practicum, and internship opportunities. 
• No GRE requirement: Our master’s programs do not require the GRE to apply.
• Study where you are: We offer online program options for the MSEd in TESOL, the Certificate of Graduate Study, and the post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Study..
• Study at your pace: Each of our programs can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. 
• Schedule helps accommodate working professionals: 
  • On-campus and blended courses are held on weekday evenings. 
  • We offer rolling admissions - you can begin your studies in the fall, spring, or summer.
  • Courses in the fully online master’s program can be completed at any time each week.

Programs

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Certificate of Advanced Study

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Certificate of Graduate Study

• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.S.Ed.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL): Initial PreK-12 ESL Certification, M.S.Ed.

Courses

• EDU 558 - Curriculum and Assessment for Multilingual Learners
• EDU 559 - Methods for Teaching Reading and Writing to Multilingual Learners
• EDU 560 - Methods and Approaches in TESOL
• EDU 561 - Aspects of the English Language
• EDU 562 - Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
• EDU 563 - ESL Testing and Assessment
• EDU 567 - Theories of Second Language Acquisition
• EDU 623 - TESOL Practicum
• EDU 635 - Seminar in Second Language Literacy
• EDU 640 - Professional Internship in English for Speakers of Other Languages
• EDU 689 - TESOL Thesis

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