Master of Arts in TESOL
PROF. KRISTYN KIDNEY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
With the continued growth of English as an international language, English language educators have unprecedented opportunities for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in a variety of intercultural settings. Because the need and demand for qualified English language teachers continues to grow—both in the U.S. and abroad—Multnomah offers the TESOL program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the graduate level, students may pursue the MA TESOL standard track, the MA TESOL continued studies track, or the MA TESOL & MA Global Development and Justice dual degree option.
Program Outcomes
The goal of the TESOL program is to send out culturally responsive professionals who are able to support multilingualism among linguistically diverse students and communities in the U.S. and around the world. Our program of study is designed to equip students with the linguistic knowledge, pedagogical skill, cultural responsiveness, and professional resources necessary to become quality teaching professionals who demonstrate Christ's love by authentically and effectively meeting language needs in our world. Our TESOL program outcomes (TPO) are as follows:
TPO 1 Linguistic Knowledge
- Demonstrate deep understanding of concepts and components of linguistics.
- Utilize and synthesize current language acquisition theory and research.
TPO 2 Pedagogical Skill
- Incorporate theoretical foundations with practical approaches for teaching each language skill area.
- Skillfully design lessons to employ a wide variety of effective and appropriate teaching techniques.
- Effectively employ strategies of language assessment and evaluation.
TPO 3 Cultural Responsiveness
- Exhibit sensitivity, humility, and responsiveness towards sociopolitical, economic, cultural and educational factors as they impact contexts, communities, and individuals.
TPO 4 Professional Development
- Display proficiency in accessing scholarly research for professional development and contributing to the body of research in the field of TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
TPO 5 Faith Integration
- Articulate a personal theology concerning the question, “What does it mean to teach English in the name of Christ?”
Application Procedure
The priority deadline to apply for MA-TESOL admission is March 1 for the Fall Semester and December 1 for Spring. Applications are welcome after that time and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis as space allows. The Admission Committee generally makes decisions on application files upon receipt of a signed MA-TESOL Application for Admission, including the admission essay and $40 application fee, three reference forms (a Spiritual Life Reference Form and two MA-TESOL Letter of Recommendation forms), official academic transcripts for all postsecondary coursework, and completion of an admission interview with the MA-TESOL program director (or designee).
Admission Requirements
- Possess a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or a nationally accredited program that has the academic breadth required to ensure success academically in graduate studies at MU), with an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average.
- Demonstrate experience as a language learner. For example, this may be shown through extended life experience in another country where English is not the primary language or by completing at least one term of study in a second language at the college level. Students who lack the requisite language credits may enroll in a world languages course concurrently during their first semester in the MA-TESOL program.
- Show evidence of a personal faith, having committed his/her life to Jesus Christ as personal Savior, and of a commitment to the mission and values of Multnomah University.
- Show evidence of capability to succeed academically and professionally.
- International students whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. Multnomah requires that international students score at least a 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT). This is equivalent to a 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test. Applicants may opt to take the IELTS exam instead. The IELTS requirement is an overall band score of at least 7.0. This requirement may be waived for some students whose primary language is English or who have completed their undergraduate degree from an accredited English medium university.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete all general graduation requirements as listed earlier in this section.
- Complete required program credits with at least 18 credits earned at Multnomah.
- Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).
- Normally complete the program within a four-year period from the date of matriculation.
This program is not intended to lead to teacher certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.
FACULTY:
Michael Bess, Kristi French, Miecke Johnson, Kristyn Kidney.