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Graduate Information

M.A. in Applied Linguistics

Certificate Program in TESOL

MAT in TESL

Post BA/MA Teacher Certification Program

Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics
The M.A. in Applied Linguistics prepares students for careers in a variety of professions where an understanding of language use is essential. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of several areas, including second language learning and teaching, language and social life, and computational linguistics. The department currently has four graduate assistantship positions as well as internships and externships that provide practical experience in a variety of professions that employ linguists with an applied background.

Candidates must fulfill the requirements for graduate matriculation at Montclair State University. After they have been accepted, candidates consult with the Linguistics Department Graduate Program Coordinator to plan their individual program of studies.

The M.A. in Applied Linguistics requires the successful completion of 36 semester hours, and a 1 semester hour research requirement (described below in IV). The 37 semester hours of course work include a core of 18 semester hours required of all students. The remaining 18 semester hours will be chosen from among the approved electives in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator. For information on when specific courses are offered (Course Rotation) and work plans to plot your progress through the program, please see Advising Worksheets.

I. Required Core Courses (19 semester hours)

APLN 500, Language and Linguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 502, Sociolinguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 504, Syntax, 3 s.h.
APLN 505, Semantics and Pragmatics, 3 s.h.
APLN 506, Phonetics and Phonology, 3 s.h.
APLN 508, Research Design in Applied Linguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 605, Research Questions in Applied Linguistics, 1 s.h.

II. Electives-Group I (6 semester hours)

Students select at least two courses from among the following core areas of applied linguistics and an additional four courses from either this list or from Group II Electives. (Please see the Department Course Listings for the full list of courses which includes a total of thirty-two courses.) (18 semester hours)

APLN 510, Discourse Analysis, 3 s.h.
+APLN 520, Current Theories of Second Language Acquisition, 3 s.h.
APLN 530, Language Policy and Language Planning, 3 s.h.
APLN 540, Literacy, 3 s.h.
APLN 550, Computational Linguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 560, Translation Theory, 3 s.h.
APLN 570, The Structure of American Sign Language, 3 s.h.

III. Electives-Group II (12 semester hours)

Students elect 4 courses from the list below and/or from the above list:†

APLN 512, Cross-Cultural Discourse Analysis, 3 s.h.
APLN 518, Forensic Linguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 522, Sociocultural Theory and Second Language Acquisition/Learning, 3 s.h.
+APLN 524, Advanced Structure of American English, 3 s.h.
+APLN 525, Methodology of Teaching ESL, 3 s.h.
APLN 526, Computer-Assisted Language Instruction, 3 s.h.
APLN 528, Language Testing and Assessment, 3 s.h.
+APLN 532, Language and Culture, 3 s.h.
APLN 534, Languages in Contact, 3 s.h.
APLN 535, Language Policy in Nations in Transition, 3 s.h.
APLN 536, Languages of the U.S.A, 3 s.h.
APLN 538, Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Language Socialization, 3 s.h.
APLN 542, Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Literacy, 3 s.h.
APLN 544, Linguistics and Reading, 3 s.h.
APLN 552, Current Issues in Natural Language Processing, 3 s.h.
APLN 565, Lexicography, 3 s.h.
APLN 590, Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics, 3 s.h.
APLN 594, Independent Study, 1-3 s.h.
APLN 596, Independent Study, 1-3 s.h.

+Students interested in completing either certification in TESL as a second teaching field or the university TESOL certificate, must take these electives from Group I and from Group II. APLN 529 TESL Practicum does not count as an elective for the M.A. in Applied Linguistics but is a New Jersey State Requirement for TESL certification as a second teaching field.

† In consultation with the Linguistics Department's Graduate Program Coordinator, students may elect to take up to 3 courses from a list of appropriate courses offered by other departments.

IV. Research Requirement (1 semester hour)

APLN 605, Research Questions in Applied Linguistics, 1 s.h.

Research on an approved topic or on an approved reading list in Applied Linguistics. For this requirement, students write a paper based on a research topic that they choose OR write a response to a research topic provided to them based on readings that they choose. The papers and/or responses will be read and approved by three faculty members. For this final research requirement, students give an oral presentation at a Linguistics Department colloquium. Prerequisites: all other required courses for the MA in Applied Linguistics.

Total Semester Hours: 37

TO APPLY TO THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/app.shtml

 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN TESOL--Graduate Level

Program Objectives
The objective of this certification program is to provide an opportunity for students to obtain credentials in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This program of study is distinct from the program leading to state certification in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and is designed to appeal to students whose career plans do not include teaching in public schools in the United States. This program is especially appropriate for teachers of English from other countries for whom exposure to native speakers of English, acquaintance with North American culture and a certificate from a North American university will considerably strengthen their credentials. The certificate will also appeal to international students who are planning to return to their home countries to teach English as a foreign language. The program also attracts residents of the US who are interested in teaching in non-public-school venues in the United States or in educational institutions in other countries. This program prepares students in TESOL through a course of study designed to provide a background in the principles of linguistics and language education along with an understanding of the classroom applications of these principles. These experiences culminate in a practicum in teaching ESL on campus or in another appropriate site off-campus. For students beginning in the fall semester, the program is designed to be completed in two semesters of full-time work. 

Admissions Requirements
Students interested in applying for the TESOL Certificate program should visit the Graduate School application website. In Part A, page 3 of the application, be sure to go to “CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS” and check “TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

 

Applicants must submit a graduate application and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. International students must also submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score and have their foreign transcripts evaluated by World Education Services. In addition, non-native speakers of English must take the ESL Placement Test administered by Montclair State and complete any English as a Second Language courses indicated by the test results. For more information about testing procedures, please call Tina Bollettieri, ESL Program manager, at 973-655-7695.

Academic Program
The program would consist of the following regularly offered graduate courses:

APLN 500 Language and Linguistics

APLN 520 Current Theories of Second Language Acquisition

APLN 524 Advanced Structure of American English

APLN 525 Methodology of Teaching ESL

APLN 532 Language and Culture, OR APLN 534 Languages in Contact OR APLN 536 Languages of the USA

APLN 529 TESL Practicum

These courses are the courses required of students who are seeking second field New Jersey certification in TESL; thus, they are offered on a regular basis and follow the University calendar. For information on when specific courses are offered (Course Rotation) and work plans to plot your progress through the program, please see Advising Worksheets, and click on the “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages” link.

Students may choose to take these courses as part of their MA in Applied Linguistics, or may take them separately as non-degree students. Students must maintain a 3.0 average in these courses in order to qualify for the certificate. 

For more information, please e-mail Dr. Mary Call at callm@mail.montclair.edu or call 973-655-4283/4286.


MAT in TESL

The MAT is a program designed for graduate students who wish to obtain NJ State public school (K-12) teacher certification, usually in the field of their undergraduate major. The MAT program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching combined with initial (first) field certification. (New Jersey State certification is required for people whose goal is to teach in NJ public schools.) Students who enter this program usually have a B.A. with an undergraduate major in the subject they wish to teach. If the field of the undergraduate major is the same as the field for which teacher certification is sought, the course of study consists of the professional "educational" sequence at the graduate level, one (or more) graduate courses in the subject matter area, and a semester of student teaching. In all 36-39 semester hours are required; additional courses may be required in the subject matter area as determined by the department in question. Please note: These are new requirements that are effective as of September 2009.


The MAT is directed through the College of Education and Human Services. The role of the individual department, in this case the Linguistics Department (for TESL), is to provide guidance in the content area courses only. For information about the full range of requirements for the MAT and for any questions about the MAT program not specifically related to TESL or Linguistics, please contact the Center of Pedagogy at 973-655-6908 or visit:  http://cehs.montclair.edu/academic/curriculumteach/programs/masterteaching.shtml

 

In New Jersey, individuals who wish to teach ESL in the public schools (grades K -12) must have teacher certification in TESL.  At Montclair State University, to obtain TESL certification with TESL as the initial (first) teaching field, a major in Linguistics is required.  For students who have completed a B.A. in Linguistics, one or more graduate linguistics courses are required as part of the MAT in TESL.

 

For students who decide to change fields, that is, for those who wish to pursue an MAT in a subject matter area different from their undergraduate major, the equivalent of the undergraduate major in the new content area is required. Again, for TESL certification, the required field is Linguistics. Without an undergraduate degree in Linguistics, this is an ambitious program and can take up to two and a half years. The linguistics major itself consists of 36 semester hours. (This means taking an additional 36 semester hours above the requirements for the MAT.) Therefore, a student must complete approximately 36 s.h.’s required for the MAT plus the additional linguistics requirements. (These additional courses should be taken at the graduate level although this is not required.) Altogether approximately 72 semester hours are needed for the MAT with a concentration in TESL if a student’s undergraduate major was not Linguistics. For a list of the required courses for the linguistics undergraduate degree and for all other programs in Linguistics, visit:

http://chss.montclair.edu/linguistics/linguistics.undergrad.html

 

It is often more practical for students to pursue the MAT in the field of their undergraduate major and then seek TESL certification as a second teaching field. TESL state certification is available as a second teaching certificate for individuals who already have or who are seeking certification in a first teaching field.

 

Again, please review the requirements at

http://chss.montclair.edu/linguistics/linguistics.graduate.html#PostBA

and contact Dr. Susana Sotillo (sotillos @mail.montclair.edu or 973-655-7377).

 

NJ state certification is not required for graduate students whose goal is to teach ESL to adults or in private schools, in industry, or abroad.  For these students, a TESOL Certificate may be sufficient. (This is a different program run entirely by the Linguistics Department.) This program requires that a student have a BA degree. The student then takes a specified set of Linguistics courses leading to the TESOL Certificate. Many colleges seeking ESL instructors will recognize this TESOL certificate along with a Master of Arts Degree in a related field. Some students combine this certificate with the Master of Arts program in Applied Linguistics. Please review the requirements at the web address listed below and contact Dr. Mary Call (callm@mail.montclair.edu or 973-655-5137) for information about the TESOL certificate.

http://chss.montclair.edu/linguistics/linguistics.graduate.html#TESOL

 

Please note the new NJ State Department of Education requirement for TESL as a first or second certification:
Evidence of oral and written proficiency in English is required by the State. Candidates for TESL Certification must take the ACTFL
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and earn a score of ‘advanced low’ on both prior to admission to the Teacher Education program. Application instructions for the exam can be found here. http://www.chss.montclair.edu/linguistics/advising.worksheets/Instructions_for_OPI_&_WPT.pdf

 

Prepared by

Alice F. Freed, Ph.D.,

Professor of Linguistics

MAT Advisor 

Linguistics Department

Montclair State University
alice.freed@montclair.edu

Fall  2009


POST BA/MA TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Second Field Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language

Program Objective

The objective of the TESL second field certification program is to provide teachers who already hold a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing or a Permanent Certificate to teach in the New Jersey Public Schools with the credentials to teach English as a Second Language in addition to their first field of certification. 

Applying to the TESL Second Field Certification Program


Students interested in applying to the Second Field Certification program in TESL should visit the Graduate School application website. In Part A, page 3 of the application, be sure to go to “MAT/INSTRUCTIONAL CERTIFICATION”. Under “Teaching Program”, check “ADDITIONAL TEACHING CERTIFICATION” and under “Teaching Subject Area”, check “Teacher of English as a Second Language.” 

Linguistics Course Requirements for TESL Certification

Second Field Certification in TESL requires six courses (18 credits) chosen

from the courses listed below. Undergraduate courses begin with the LNGN

code; graduate courses with the APLN code. New Jersey accepts any mix

of graduate and undergraduate courses for 2nd field certification in TESL.

(Five of the six courses at the APLN (graduate) level are accepted towards

the MA in Applied Linguistics. If you are entertaining the possibility of going

on for a master’s degree, we advise you to take these graduate level

courses.) The LNGN and APLN courses rotate in such a way that it is

possible to finish the certification in two semesters if three courses are

taken each semester.

 

Second field certification in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

is only granted by the State of New Jersey, not Montclair State University

or its Linguistics Department. Montclair State University does not

recommend a student to the State of New Jersey for Second Field

Certification if the graduating Grade Point Average of the student is below

3.0. For a student who achieves a GPA below 3.0, it is incumbent upon the

student to provide their Montclair State transcript directly to the state to

receive certification in the second field

 

For information on when specific courses are offered (Course Rotation) and

work plans to plot your progress through the program, please see Advising Worksheets, and click on the “Second Field Certification in TESL (NJ State

Certified)” link.

 

LNGN 210

Introduction to General Linguistics

OR

 

APLN 500

Language and Linguistics

 

LNGN 220

Structure of American English

OR

 

APLN 524

Advanced Structure of American English

 

LNGN 245

Language and Culture

OR

 

APLN 532

Language and Culture

OR

 

APLN 534

Language in Contact

OR

 

APLN 536

Languages in the U.S.A.

 

LNGN 325

Principles of Second Language Learning

OR

 

APLN 520

Current Theories of Second Language Acquisition

 

LNGN 325

Principles of Second Language Learning

OR

 

APLN 520

Current Theories of Second Language Acquisition

 

LNGN 403

Methods and Materials of TESL

OR

 

APLN 525

Methodology of Teaching ESL

 

LNGN 405

Field Experience in TESL

OR

 

APLN 529

TESL Practicum

For more information, please e-mail Dr. Susana Sotillo at sotillos@mail.montclair.edu or call 973-655-4286.

 

 


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