Introduction

MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH: Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The M.A. program in English with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), one of the oldest and largest in the United States, began in 1964. Since that time, there have been hundreds of graduates. The majority have become classroom teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) in this country and of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) abroad. Many of our alumni have gone on to become ESL/EFL materials specialists, curriculum designers and administrators. Many have also gone on to Ph.D. programs in a variety of fields.

The M.A. TESOL program has a double emphasis:

1. Theoretical foundations and contemporary research in linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics (second language acquisition), and related fields.

2. Classroom teaching methodology suitable for adult second language learners.

Because our alumni go into so many teaching situations, the M.A. TESOL program does not attempt to train for one specific type of locale; instead we provide general preparation for the teaching of adult learners in a variety of pedagogical settings.

Completion of the M.A. TESOL degree does not fulfill requirements for K-12 teacher credentialing in California. The College of Education provides information on single subject (elementary) and multiple subject (middle and high school) credentials (http://www.sfsu.edu/~credinfo/).

It is possible to get both a Preliminary and Clear Designated Subjects Adult Education (DSAE) Credential while pursuing a M.A. TESOL degree. Information about the Designated Subjects Credential in Adult & Vocational Education can be obtained in Burk Hall 239, 338-1653. Information is available online at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~coe/dais/daiscred.html. Also see the M.A. TESOL Adult Education Credential advising handout.

The entire M.A. TESOL program, including the prerequisite courses taken during the first semester or two, takes from 2 to 2 1/2 academic years (4 or 5 semesters excluding summers) to complete. It is not so much the number of prerequisites required that determines the length of time required to complete the program, but whether a student attends part-time (1-2 courses per semester) or full-time (3-4 courses per semester).

Admission to the Program

This program is open not only to English majors, but also to interested students with a B.A. or B.S. in other fields. Applicants almost always lack some or all of the prerequisites (described below), so virtually all applicants are admitted “conditionally” into the program and take the prerequisites during their first two semesters in the program.

Advising

Advising is central to the program. Students should consult with their faculty advisor when they choose courses and plan their programs. In their first semester, M.A. TESOL students are matched with faculty advisors based on a questionnaire they complete.

Prerequisites

In order to be fully classified, students must meet the following conditions:

1. Grade Point Average (GPA): All students must have achieved a 3.0 (B) average for their last 60 units of course work prior to application for this program.

2. Linguistics/language studies courses (12 upper division semester units): If prerequisite requirements are not waived based on previous course work, students must pass equivalency examinations (administered at SFSU), or take the following courses at SFSU.

English 421 - The Structure of English (3 units): Introduction to syntax; analysis of the structure of English within the framework of Transformational Generative Grammar.

English 424 - Phonology and Morphology (3 units): Analysis of phonological and morphological systems using data from English and other languages.

English 425 - Language in Context (3 units): Introduction to sociolinguistics: language variation in relation to factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, region, socioeconomic class, and occupation; language and culture; multilingualism; attitudes toward language varieties; discourse analysis.

English 426 - Second Language Acquisition (3 units): The process of language acquisition (first and second) and the diversity of variables which affect this process, such as age, cognitive style, learning strategies, attitudes, and motivation. Concurrent enrollment in a foreign language is required.

For advising on these prerequisites and requests for waivers based on previous course work, contact the following faculty:

English 421 and 424: Dr. Rachelle Waksler, 338-7464 (HUM 430), rwaksler@sfsu.edu

English 425: Dr. Troi Carleton, 338-3156 (HUM 428), troi@sfsu.edu
or Dr. May Shih, 338-1586 (HUM 456), mshih@sfsu.edu

English 426: Dr. Maricel Santos, 338-7445 (HUM 269), mgsantos@sfsu.edu
or (during Spring Semester only) Dr. Thomas Scovel, 338-7403 (HUM 455), tscovel@sfsu.edu

For more information on waiving English 426 please see the English 426 Waiver Policy.


3. Literature courses (6 upper division or graduate units of British, American, and/or other English language medium or foreign language literature): 6 semester units of upper division or graduate level British/American/English medium/foreign language literature courses taken as an undergraduate or as a graduate student are required. Literature courses may be taken at any time before the second-to-last semester of residence.

Conditional admission: Students who have not completed all the linguistics and literature requirements are admitted conditionally to the program. The conditions will be stated in the acceptance letter that is mailed from the Department to admitted applicants. Those with questions about the conditions listed should consult the program coordinator and prerequisite course advisors (see names given above) at the beginning of the semester.

Tests Required for Admission

· The GRE is NOT required for admission to the SFSU M.A. TESOL program.

· As of Spring Semester 2005, the M.A. TESOL program no longer requires the Graduate Essay Test (GET). Instead, Level I Writing Proficiency will be determined on the basis of the final research paper written for English 426 (Second Language Acquisition) or if English 426 is waived, an equivalent paper.

· Students whose native language is not English and whose B.A. was completed outside the U.S. must present evidence of a computer-based TOEFL score of at least 240 (Internet-based TOEFL: 95, paper-based TOEFL: 590) with a writing subscore of at least 4.5 (Internet-based writing score of at least 24). Applicants who do not meet this minimum TOEFL requirement will NOT be admitted; there is no conditional admission. A TOEFL score of 240 is considered to be very minimal; applicants who demonstrate stronger English proficiency with a higher TOEFL score (and higher writing subscore) will have a better chance of being recommended for admission to the M.A. TESOL program.

· In addition, non-native speakers of English who are required to take the TOEFL, who are admitted, and who enroll, must take the ESL Placement Test (ESLPT) for assessment of their English writing proficiency upon entry to the University. The ESLPT is given one week prior to the beginning of classes each semester. Contact the SFSU Testing Center (ADM 152, 338-2271, testing@sfsu.edu, http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing) for date, fee, and registration information. Those whose academic writing is not strong enough may not place into our English 670 (Graduate Writing) class and may need to take additional writing courses, possibly delaying entry into the first core graduate class (English 730) by one semester.

Foreign Language Requirement

One of the requirements for graduation from the M.A. TESOL Program is minimal proficiency (equivalent to one semesters work of approximately 45 class hours) in a foreign language. The purpose of this requirement is to experience the learning of a language which is markedly different from one's native language. For native speakers of English, therefore, the foreign language must be a non-Indo-European language or an Indo-European language that differs considerably from English, such as Farsi or Hindi. American Sign Language (ASL) may be used to fulfill this requirement.

Most native English speakers complete the non-Indo-European language requirement as their required concurrent foreign language learning experience along with English 426, in which they focus their attention on the language learning process. If a student comes into the program having already taken a course equivalent to English 426 (as approved by an English 426 advisor), arrangements must be made with an advisor to certify completion of the foreign language requirement. Native English speakers who have already learned a non-Indo-European language prior to entering the program must verify their proficiency. All students must nevertheless study a foreign language while taking English 426.

Foreign language courses may be taken in junior colleges, private institutes, or extension divisions, as well as at SFSU. (Check this list of non-Indo-European language courses which may be taken to fulfill the requirement.) Language courses may be taken on a credit/no credit basis or for a certificate of attendance. For courses taken off campus or in summer school, students should place an official grade report, a letter from the institution, or a memorandum from the English 426 instructor on file in the English Department office.

For non-native English speakers, English is considered to be the foreign language. Non-native English speakers may take English 670 (Graduate Writing for TESOL) or an ESL class to fulfill the language requirement. Non-native English speakers must take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT). ESLPT test results will be used to determine placement in a writing class. Students whose writing proficiency is weak may need to take English 310 (and maybe English 412, a one-unit grammar editing class) in their first semester and English 670 in their second semester. It is ideal to do course work to strengthen one's academic writing skills before enrolling in the M.A. TESOL program, to insure placement into English 670. English 670 must ordinarily be successfully completed before enrollment in English 730; thus, students whose academic writing is weak may need to spend an extra semester at SFSU.

M.A. Degree Program Requirements

Core Courses (18 units)
The core courses listed below are required of all students graduating from this program.

Course Sequence

The M.A. TESOL course sequence may be thought of as a number of levels through which students must pass. (The M.A. TESOL Advising Checklist and an M.A. TESOL Advising Worksheet are available online.) All courses in one level MUST be completed before taking courses in the next level, except courses which are bracketed (and therefore listed in a subsequent level).

* 426 must be accompanied by a foreign language course; usually the non-Indo-European Language requirement is fulfilled here.

** 653 and Grp II can be taken at this level only if 421 has already been completed.



Route to Graduation

Course Prerequisites:

Registration For Courses

The English Department makes no guarantee of admission to classes. There is an upper limit on the number of students permitted in each class. Also, if the minimum enrollment is not met, the class will be canceled. For these reasons, students are urged to register for classes on the Web(http://www.sfsu.edu/student/) or through Touch Tone Registration (415-338-7000) at their Priority Appointment time before the semester begins. You must pay fees before you can register.

Open classes can be found by doing an online search of the class schedule: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/clssch.htm.

Registration information from the Office of the Registrar is available online at http://www.sfsu.edu/~admisrec/reg/reg.html. You can find out your priority registration date online: http://www.sfsu.edu/student/.

Master's Degree Examinations

Both written and oral comprehensive examinations test the ability of students to integrate the knowledge and experience they have acquired in this field. The examinations are on the content areas covered in the program, with an emphasis on the methodological facets of TESOL. By the time of the comprehensive exam, candidates should have a broad understanding of theory, research, and pedagogy in TESOL, an ability to critically evaluate reported work in the field, and an ability to determine the appropriateness of techniques and materials for particular teaching situations. They should be able to articulate this knowledge precisely and coherently, in writing and orally.

The comprehensive examination is currently in the form of a position paper and M.A. TESOL Portfolio that is completed while taking English 891 (Integrative Seminar in TESOL).

Master's Thesis Option

Upon approval of two faculty thesis advisors, a student can write a Master's thesis in lieu of taking the comprehensive examinations. A thesis proposal must be approved by two faculty members, and necessary forms must be submitted and approved the semester before enrollment in English 898 (Master's Thesis). Students should consult the M.A. TESOL thesis guidelines.

Grading Policy

SFSU requires that all graduate students maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) and a minimum 3.0 (B) GPA for the 30 units of courses listed on the Graduate Approved Program (GAP) form (http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/gradpol.htm).

Specific program policy is as follows:
1. All linguistics prerequisites (421, 424, 425, 426) must be taken for letter grades. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in these courses, and no course grade lower than a B-, in order to continue in the program. These courses may be repeated only by a petition approved by faculty.
2. Literature prerequisites may be taken for either a letter grade or credit/no credit.
3. The non-Indo-European language that accompanies 426 may be taken on a credit/no credit basis or for a certificate of attendance.
4. 653, 730, 731, and 732 must be taken for letter grades.
5. 733 and 891 are graded on a credit/no credit basis.
6. Only one group requirement course can be taken for credit/no credit.

Transfer Credit

SFSU will accept up to 6 semester units of transfer credit to be included
on a student's Graduate Approved Program (GAP) (the 30 units which count toward the M.A., not prerequisites.) The courses must be upper division or graduate-level classes taken after completion of one's B.A. SFSU will not accept units from another university if that university does not accept the units for its own advanced degree programs. If you wish to transfer courses taken at another university (typically, for Group III electives), see an advisor about filing a Graduate Transfer Unit Evaluation form for approval of these courses.

Availability of Courses

M.A. core courses are offered only during the Fall and Spring semesters. Some literature and linguistics courses, and sometimes TESOL seminars, are offered during the Summer Session and the January Winter Session.

Late (4 p.m. and later) sections are regularly offered for the rerequisite classes, core classes, and at least one Group I and Group II course. Group I courses vary from one semester to the next, so it is important to plan ahead.

Getting Teaching Experience While in the M.A. Program

Students who have fewer than two years of EFL/ESL teaching experience are required to get teaching experience before enrolling in English 733, Student Teaching. Several ways to do this are explained below.

1. English 726 (Practicum in TESOL, 3 units)
(Can count as Group III or Group IV)
Students taking this course are placed in an ESL class either on or off campus for the semester. They attend the ESL class regularly and assist the teacher in a number of ways, e.g., responding to students˙ work, tutoring students, and preparing teaching materials. Co-requisite or prerequisite: English 730. Must be taken before English 733.

2. American Language Institute
(http://www.sfsu.edu/~ali/)
The American Language Institute (ALI) is an intensive English program for international students who plan to enter academic programs in the U.S. Classes meet for 5-6 hours a day, 4 days a week, during the fall, spring, and summer, and are held on the campus of SFSU. Graduate students from the M.A. TESOL program who have completed or are in the process of completing English 731 may apply for positions in the ALI internship program. Applicants should be aware that the terms of the training program require that they maintain student status during the program, with a maximum load of 6 units. The positions are training positions and are not considered
full time or permanent.

Twice a year, eligible graduate students are invited to submit an application with a short statement of interest and the names of 3 references, preferably from the M.A. TESOL staff. Interviews are then arranged with the permanent ALI staff members. During the fall, approximately 5 applicants are chosen for the spring, and during the spring approximately 10 applicants are chosen: 5 for the summer and 5 for the fall.

The applicants are hired for a 3-semester commitment (which always includes one summer): an initial semester of an internship in an integrated-skills class under the supervision of a senior teacher and an academic coordinator, and 2 semesters of teaching under the supervision of an academic coordinator. During the second and third semesters, teachers usually teach one integrated-skills class, 8 hours a week, but this schedule may vary. Teachers are also required to participate in a variety of activities, including meetings, testing, orientation, and graduation, along with their teaching. During the first semester, interns receive a small stipend, and during the second and third semesters, they are compensated on the basis of teaching contact hours. ALI teachers are encouraged to stay at the ALI for one additional semester beyond the contract year, in order to serve as a senior teacher.

3. Tutoring
M.A. TESOL students may get additional teaching experience by tutoring in the Department's English Tutoring Center (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~etc/)
or the University's Learning Assistance Center (http://www.sfsu.edu/~lac/). Three units of tutoring in the English Tutoring Center (ETC) can be used for Group IV credit. For students with more than two years of ESL teaching experience, tutoring in the ETC can be used for Group III. Tutoring in the ETC cannot, however, be used as an alternative for English 726.

4. Assisting in the SFSU Composition for Multilingual Students (CMS; formerly ESL) Program (http://www.sfsu.edu/~cmls/)
The M.A. TESOL program is closely allied with the SFSU CMS Program for matriculated undergraduate students, which serves as a type of teaching laboratory in which graduate students observe and assist.

The CMS Program is the largest ESL program in the California State University system. It has 5 levels and 10 courses with between 60 and 70 sections offered each semester and additional sections offered in the summer. Because most of the courses are designed to meet graduation requirements for written communication, the major focus of the program is academic writing. Attention is given also to developing reading, grammar, and oral communication skills.

While taking English 653 and English 732 (often as their English 726 practicum placement), M.A. TESOL students have opportunities to work with experienced teachers in grammar and composition classes. Many of the current CMS instructors at SFSU first developed their interests in teaching academic skills to the university's diverse ESL student population (approximately 33% F-1 visa students and 67% immigrants) while working as teaching assistants on campus. Every year in the spring, graduating M.A. TESOL students are invited to apply for part-time jobs as teachers in the program. (SFSU CMS instructors must hold a M.A. and have relevant teaching experience.)

5. Teaching off campus
Off campus, part-time teaching jobs and volunteer opportunities are available in the San Francisco Bay Area. Announcements of such positions are posted on the M.A. TESOL bulletin board, and additional information may be obtained through the job links at the M.A. TESOL Web site (http://www.sfsu.edu/~matesol/links.html).

In partnership with City College of San Francisco, SFSU faculty and M.A. TESOL students have been active in developing curricula for adult literacy and citizenship classes in the San Francisco Bay Area (see, e.g., the project SHINE web site: http://thecity.sfsu.edu/~shine/.) Those who are interested in getting involved should contact Dr. Gail Weinstein (gailw@sfsu.edu).

Important Forms and Dates

Graduate Approved Program and Proposal for Culminating Experience.
Students must file the Graduate Approved Program (GAP) form (http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/forms/eng-tesol.pdf) and Proposal for Culminating Experience form (http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/culminating-experience.htm) during the semester immediately preceding registration for the final 6 units of the 30-unit program, i.e., before taking English 733 and 891. Instructions and a sample of a completed GAP form are available in the English Department office. After the form is completed, it must be signed by both an advisor and the College of Humanities Graduate Coordinator. Any subsequent changes in courses written on the GAP require submission of a special form, a petition for GAP substitution.

On the GAP form, the 6 core courses (18 units) should be listed first, followed by the Group courses (12 units). Prerequisite courses should not be listed on the GAP. None of the 30 units on the GAP can be taken through Extended Learning (Extension/Continuing Education/Open Enrollment) with the exception of courses taken at SFSU during the January Winter Session. The 30 units on the GAP must be completed within a period of 7 years. Because the language requirement is departmental, it should not be checked on the GAP.

M.A. students who write a thesis must also submit a Proposal for Culminating Experience (http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/898.htm) and a Protocol Approval Form for Human Subjects (http://www.sfsu.edu/~protocol/human.htm) before they begin their research and the semester before they enroll in English 898. Online forms should be used. Download the forms, type in the information, and then print the forms for signatures.

Application for Graduate Degree.
This form should be filed during the first month of the semester in which you are graduating, at the Graduate Division office (ADM 254). An advisor's signature is not necessary.

For deadlines for filing all forms, see the Class Schedule or the dates given online at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/degree-completion-deadline.htm.
Forms can be downloaded at http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/current-form.htm.

Application and Other Information

Detailed application instructions are provided on a separate document, "M.A. TESOL Application and Admission Information", available online (http://www.sfsu.edu/~matesol/admissions.html) and on request from the English Department office: english@sfsu.edu.

Paper applications are no longer accepted. Applicants must apply online at: http://www.csumentor.com/

Application forms can be downloaded at
http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/prospective-form.htm.

Deadlines for filing applications are as follows:
For Fall Semester: March 1
(Applications are accepted beginning October 1)
For Spring Semester: October 1
(Applications are accepted beginning August 1)

Students are urged to submit applications early. No application can be processed until all documents (including official transcripts of all previous college-level course work, including courses taken at community colleges and overseas) are on file. Late applications may result in students not being accepted in time for Priority Registration, which will make it difficult to get into classes. The M.A. TESOL program does not give waivers of the deadline.

for assistance in answering questions on topics of concern to international students, applicants may contact:
The Office of International Programs
ADM 450
415-338-1293
oip@sfsu.edu
OIP Web site: http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/

Additional information is available online:
SFSU home page: http://www.sfsu.edu

Graduate Division: http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/

Admission status: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/appstat.htm

English Department: http://www.sfsu.edu/~english/

M.A. degree requirements: http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/gradpol.htm

Information for international students: http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/internat.htm,
http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/links.htm

Housing: http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/

Fees:
http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/fees.htm

Financial aid: http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/

Current and past class schedules: http://www.sfsu.edu/online/clssch.htm (Search "English")

Course descriptions: http://www.sfsu.edu/~english/course.html

Other helpful Web pages and downloadable documents: http://www.sfsu.edu/~matesol/Webinfo.doc


Routine inquiries about M.A. TESOL application procedures and paper work may be addressed to:
Graduate Secretary
English Department
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
HUM 289
(415) 338-2660
english@sfsu.edu

Specific questions about the program may be directed to the M.A. TESOL Program Coordinator, Professor Barry Taylor: HUM 467, (415) 338-7457, matesol@sfsu.edu.