M.Ed in TESL COURSES
back to TESL page

Education Core Courses (3)

EDUC 991 Philosophy of Education and Teaching Practice
Deals with an understanding of educational philosophies as the basis for educational practice; with the development of one's own educational philosophy; and with the use of philosophical bases to address issues of instruction, (e.g. individual assessment, appropriate communication, and equality in education).

EDUC 998 Language development and Communication
Considers typical and atypical language acquisitions and development in children. Topics covered include differences between first and second language acquisition, the communication process, the relationship between the language of the school and the language of the community. Implications of ethnic, linguistic, psychological, and cultural differences among children for language learning are explored.

EDUC 999 Research and Evaluation
Focuses on practical research related to students, curriculum, and schools. Research methodology, including technology, is used to improve teaching, learning, and the educational setting. Students complete a content-specific research project related to their designated graduate program.

ESL Concentration Core Courses (7)

TESL 901 Language Structure: Phonetics & Morphology
An introduction to the universal linguistic properties of sound systems and the basic features of the sound system of English. The rules of word formation and aspects of morphological typology are also examined. English is compared and contrasted with other languages.

TESL 902 Language Structure: Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics
An introduction to the ways in which words are organized to form sentences and how words and syntactic structure combine to yield meaning. The combining of sentences into conversations to express a range of attitudes and relationships is also covered. English is compared and contrasted with other languages.

TESL 913 Current Issues in Second Language Acquisition
A review of recent research and theories of second language acquisition and the factors that lead to successful acquisition. The ways in which children cope with multi-linguistic systems and function in school are explored.

TESL 932 Sheltered Instruction in the Content Areas
Focuses on the development of content lessons and strategies in the teaching of sheltered subject matter. Student learning assessment is incorporated in course materials and projects.
TESL 936 The Teaching of Second Language Skills
An examination of the theories and sheltered principles for developing the language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing for second language learners. Special attention is given to second language learners in bilingual or multilingual classrooms. Language assessment instruments are studied. Individual and social variables that affect performance are treated. The incorporation of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks into lesson plans is emphasized. Note: Students cannot receive credit for both TESL 936 and any of the following courses, 61.918, 61.955, 61.958.
TESL 948 Teaching Reading and Writing in the English Immersion Classroom
Explores reading theory and research and their application in shaping and developing literacy skills in English language learners. Balanced reading instruction, specific sheltered English literacy strategies that include vocabulary development, and measures for assessing literacy skills form the core of this course.
TESL 966 Seminar in Applied Linguistics
An advanced seminar whose topics change from term to term. Topics in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, and conversational analysis are considered.