The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 25-16
(Voting Units: Academic)
“Proposal for a Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)”
Department of Humanities
Contact: Michael Bowler
PDF version of Proposal 25-16
Introduction: The Humanities Department proposes a TESOL Minor. The minor reproduces the requirements for a current TESOL Certificate.
Rationale: The TESOL Minor is designed to recognize students who successfully complete the following prescribed set of courses and will indicate their preparation to teach English to speakers of other languages. A minor in TESOL is an additional means to encourage Michigan Tech graduates to become professionals with expertise that fit international demands. It will also expand opportunities for MTU’s international students by creating a larger pool of qualified TESOL professionals on campus to teach, tutor, and support both students and faculty. Finally, a TESOL minor will enhance teaching and research opportunities for faculty interested in global studies, literacy, and applied linguistics. The minor will therefore integrate TESOL/ESL into the academic mission of the Department of Humanities.
I. Title of Minor:
Undergraduate Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)
II. Program Description:
The learning goals of the proposed TESOL Minor include the following knowledge and abilities that a student will demonstrate upon completion:
Learning Goals:
Upon the completion of a TESOL minor, students will able to:
- Understand fundamental concepts, principles and the general knowledge base of learning English as a second language;
- Evaluate second language learning theories;
- Understand and critically evaluate different theories, hypotheses, models, and research findings in second-language learning;
- Evaluate and selectively apply a range of teaching strategies as appropriate to learners’ needs and characteristics;
- Identify and understand the linguistic and cognitive developmental stages English language learners pass through in various learning contexts;
- Create and develop instructional techniques and materials to accommodate the linguistic and cognitive developmental stages of English language learners, drawing upon their understanding of the theories and approaches to second-language learning.
- Gain an understanding of the terminology and fundamental concepts of language testing and test construction.
- Be able to select and construct test items, tasks, and test types that are appropriate for a given situation and to use alternative forms of assessment in the classroom in addition to (or in place of) traditional achievement tests.
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Gain an understanding of the cultural aspects of language learning and language teaching.
- Understand the role of the curricular context in the planning and management of a second language classrooms;
- Understand how to evaluate and selectively apply a range of teaching strategies as appropriate to learners’ needs and characteristics;
- Plan and teach an ESL class applying the principles learned from veteran teachers.
III. Specific Course Requirements
Total credits required: 21-24
Required Courses:
Note: For prerequisite purposes, courses must be taken in the order listed below.
HU2910 Language and Mind (3 credits)
HU3605 Grammar and Usage in Society (3 credits)
HU 3961 Theoretical Foundations of TESOL (3credits)
HU3962 TESOL Methods and Materials (3credits)
HU3963 Assessment and Testing In TESOL (3credits)
HU3964 Cross-Cultural Aspects of TESOL (3credits)
HU4962 Practicum in TESOL (3-6credits)
Students pursuing the TESOL minor may only take the TESOL sequence after taking HU2910 and HU3605. Courses to be taken in the order in which they are listed. The practicum is the final capstone experience of the minor.
Awarding the Minor
Michigan Technological University will award the minor to students who have fulfilled
the specific course requirements. The minor will also be noted on students' transcripts.
New Course Descriptions: None
Estimated Costs: None
Planned Implementation Date: Fall 2016
Introduced to Senate: March 23, 2016
Approved by Senate: April 6, 2016
Approved by Administration: April 15, 2016