The Master of Arts in Teaching in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is designed for students who wish to acquire ESOL teaching certification for grades K-12 and are not already certified to teach in another area. The MAT: ESOL program prepares teachers to work effectively with diverse student populations. This program is run in conjunction with the School of Education, which formally awards the degree.
Admission Requirements
No prior study of linguistics or teaching education is required. Applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination and the Praxis I examination, and have at least a bachelor's degree with a grade-point average of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Native English speakers should have some background in at least one language other than English. International students must demonstrate proficiency in English, either by scoring at least 600 (or 250 on the computer-based version of the test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In addition, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate the oral skills in English necessary to teach in an American public school.
Program Requirements
A total of 39 credit hours (12 courses) of approved TESOL/Education course work:
8 REQUIRED TESOL COURSES (24 credits)
- TESL-500 Principles of Linguistics
- TESL-501 English Language Teaching I (Prerequisite for TESL-502)
- TESL-502 English Language Teaching II MAT:ESOL students must do a supervised 40 hour observation/practice teaching component in conjunction with BOTH the ELT I and II courses. Placement for this practicum will be made by Karen DiGiovanni (see below).
- TESL-503 Structure of English
- TESL-523 Second Language Acquisition
- TESL-524 Reading and Writing in the ESL/EFL Classroom
- TESL-527 Cultural Issues in the ESL/EFL Classroom
- TESL-531 Language Assessment
4 REQUIRED EDUCATION COURSES (15 credits)
- EDU-521 Foundations of Education
- EDU-541 Foundations of Special Education for Exceptional Children or EDU-545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education
- EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development
- EDU-599 Student Teaching with required seminar (6 credits)
Students must receive a passing score on Praxis II prior to beginning teacher training. Students are required to pass a written comprehensive examination. To remain in good standing, students must maintain a grade point average of B (3.0) or better. To apply, visit the Graduate Admissions Website.
For More Information, contact:
Karen DiGiovanni
Director of Teacher Education/School of Education
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8030
Phone: 202-885-3720
Fax: 202-885-1187
Email: digiovanni@american.edu.
