TESOL/Bilingual Degrees & Certificates
Degree: Master of Science
Certificates:
- Advanced Certificate in TESOL Education
- Bilingual Education Extension Certificate
Additional Programs:
- Master of Science (non-certification option-not leading to NYS teaching certification)
- Advanced Certificate in TESOL Education (non-certification option-not leading to NYS teaching certification)
Admission
To be considered for admission to Canisius University’s TESOL programs, candidates are required to submit the items below:
- Completion of a Graduate Admissions Application
- For the master’s degree - submission of one (1) official undergraduate transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average
- For the Advanced Certificate - submission of one (1) official transcript showing completion of a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Evidence of teaching certification complete or in progress
- Evidence of completion of 12 credit hours of college/university level credit in a language other than English (*this requirement can be met while enrolled in the TESOL Programs)
- Applicants applying for programs not leading to NYS teaching certification are exempt from the 12 credit hours of college/university level credit in a language other than English requirement
Applications for candidates with less than a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA will be reviewed by the program director for an admissions decision and may include additional requirements (e.g., personal interview, GRE, etc.).
Academic Standing
Admission will require a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA. Applicants who have an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 may be required to meet additional requirements in order to provide evidence of their ability to be successful in graduate studies. These requirements may include a personal interview, and the GRE, GMAT, or MAT. Canadian and other international applicants must provide a completed Certification of Finances form.
Transfer Credit
No more than six credits of graduate coursework will be accepted in transfer from other institutions. The grades must have been at least “B” and must have been earned within the five-year time limit for completion of degree requirements. All transfer credits must coordinate with the candidate’s program of study at Canisius University, as approved by the program director. Only courses that can be aligned with a course in the program will be accepted for transfer credit as a substitute. Any exceptions to the above may only be made with the approval of both the program director and the Associate Dean.
Mission Statement
The School of Education and Human Services, in concert with our candidates, school partners, alumni and the community, seeks to prepare highly competent professional and socially committed teachers who value the Jesuit traditions of cura personalis, social justice and leadership through service. The mission of the unit is to prepare educators who possess content, pedagogical and professional knowledge, use their gifts in the service of others, and demonstrate professionalism and leadership in their field.
Program Details
Academic Standards
New York State TESOL Standards:
- Language: Candidates know, understand, and use the major theories and research related to the structure and acquisition of language to help English Language Learners (ELLs) develop language and literacy and achieve in the content areas. Issues of language structure and language acquisition development are interrelated. The divisions of the standards into 1.a. language as a system, and 1.b. language acquisition and development do not prescribe an order.
- Culture: Candidates know, understand, and use major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct supportive learning environments for ELLs.
- Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction: Candidates know, understand, and use evidence-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing standards-based ESL and content instruction. Candidates are knowledgeable about program models and skilled in teaching strategies for developing and integrating language skills. They integrate technology as well as choose and adapt classroom resources appropriate for their ELLs.
- Assessment: Candidates demonstrate understanding of issues and concepts of assessments and use standards-based procedures with ELLs.
- Professionalism: Candidates keep current with new instructional techniques, research results, advances in the ESL field, and education policy issues and demonstrate knowledge of the history of ESL teaching. They use such information to reflect on and improve their instruction and assessment practices. Candidates work collaboratively with school staff and the community to improve the learning environment, provide support, and advocate for ELLs and their families.
Licensure Disclosure
Canisius University cannot determine whether completion of this program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements outside of New York State for the intended occupation. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the associate dean of your school if you have further questions.
Grade Requirements
Graduate students enrolled in initial certification programs must achieve a C or above in all course requirements and a B- or above in all graduate program coursework. Failure to meet these requirements will require repeating the course &/or completing additional coursework.
Master of Science Curriculum
Master of Science - Leading to New York State Certification
Master of Science
Total credit hours: 30
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TESL 581 | Cultural Perspectives in Multilingual Education | 3 |
| TESL 582 | Theory and Practice of Bilingual/Multilingual Education | 3 |
| TESL 583 | Linguistics, Literacy, & Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TESL 585 | Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TESL 587 | Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education | 3 |
| TESL 588 | University Supervised Fieldwork in TESOL | 3 |
| EDU 615 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Curriculum, Assessment, & Methods of Teaching Native Language Arts | ||
| Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language | ||
| Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | ||
| Emergent Literacy | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Master of Science - Does not lead to New York State Certification
Master of Science (Non-Certification Option)
Total credit hours: 30
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TESL 581 | Cultural Perspectives in Multilingual Education | 3 |
| TESL 582 | Theory and Practice of Bilingual/Multilingual Education | 3 |
| TESL 583 | Linguistics, Literacy, & Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TESL 585 | Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TESL 587 | Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education | 3 |
| EDU 615 | Research Methods | 3 |
| TESL 620 | Research Project in TESOL | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Curriculum, Assessment, & Methods of Teaching Native Language Arts | ||
| Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language | ||
| Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | ||
| Emergent Literacy | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Advanced Certificate Curriculum
Advanced Certificate in TESOL - Leading to New York State Certification
Online Advanced Certificate in TESOL
Total credit hours: 18
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| TESL 583 | Linguistics, Literacy, & Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TESL 585 | Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TESL 586 | Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language | 3 |
| TESL 587 | Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education | 3 |
| TESL 588 | University Supervised Fieldwork in TESOL | 3 |
| TESL 590 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Advanced Certificate in TESOL - Does Not Lead to New York State Certification
Online Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Non-Certification Option)
Total credit hours: 15
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| TESL 583 | Linguistics, Literacy, & Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TESL 585 | Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TESL 586 | Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language | 3 |
| TESL 587 | Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education | 3 |
| TESL 590 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Curriculum
Online Bilingual Education Extension
Total credit hours: 15
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| TESL 584 | Curriculum, Assessment, & Methods of Teaching Native Language Arts | 3 |
| TESL 585 | Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TESL 586 | Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language | 3 |
| TESL 587 | Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education | 3 |
| TESL 590 | Foundations of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Courses
TESL 510 Spanish for Educators: Basic Communication for the Bilingual Classroom (Level 1) 3 Credits
Spanish for Educators (Level 1) Communication for the Bilingual Classroom enables K-12 teachers to enhance communication with English language learners, their families and community members. This course is for all educators and school personnel (PK-12) with minimal to intermediate Spanish language skills. The topics covered and materials presented in this course will support Spanish language acquisition and address issues of language diversity in the bilingual classroom. Throughout the coursework, language instruction will focus on high frequency vocabulary for basic conversational Spanish and common phrases for effective communication in the school and with families. Opportunities for practice and application are provided with practical classroom situations to connect Spanish speaking language skills with everyday situations encountered in the classroom.
Offered: once a year.
TESL 511 Spanish for Educators: Reporting to Parents and Guardians (Level 2) 3 Credits
Spanish for Educators (Level 2) Reporting to Parents and Guardians enables K-12 teachers to enhance communication with the families of native Spanish speaking students by focusing on the procedures for reporting. This course is for all educators and school personnel (PK-12) with minimal to intermediate Spanish language skills. The topics covered and materials presented in this course will support Spanish language acquisition and address issues of language diversity in the bilingual classroom. Throughout the coursework, language instruction will focus on high frequency vocabulary to demonstrate proficiency in basic writing skills and conversational Spanish to enhance professional communication with families and guardians of native Spanish speaking students. Opportunities for practice and application are provided with practical classroom situations to connect Spanish language skills with the procedures for reporting to parents.
Offered: once a year.
TESL 581 Cultural Perspectives in Multilingual Education 3 Credits
In this course, candidates examine the current debate regarding the role and definition of culture in the study of TESOL and the ESL classroom. Students will come to understand the effects of stereotyping the cultural characteristics of ESL students as well as the very real impact culture has on students' learning styles and classroom experiences. ESL 581 candidates will examine the potential impact their teaching strategies will have in the ESL classroom, with regard to understanding their own cultural characteristics and presuppositions. A balanced view of intercultural communication is the goal.
Offered: every fall.
TESL 582 Theory and Practice of Bilingual/Multilingual Education 3 Credits
This course will introduce the candidate to a survey of theories and research relevant to the teaching and learning of English as a second/foreign language that have been established as effective. Current research and theoretical advances are described and evaluated. Candidates will have an opportunity to investigate theory informing best practice. Course participants will have opportunities to examine literacy theories and engage in practices that promote biliterate outcomes in K-12 schools serving diverse student populations. This includes, but is not limited to, language immigration status, gender identities, culture, and economic backgrounds. Candidates will research and observe the theory and practice of teaching ELLs through a limited field experience. They will also be required to interview a TESOL administrator. More advanced study and supervised teaching practice will be acquired as candidates apply these skills in an ESL classroom during their supervised practicum.
Offered: every spring.
TESL 583 Linguistics, Literacy, & Second Language Acquisition 3 Credits
This course will introduce the core disciplines of linguistics; this includes the scientific study of language components as they apply to all aspects of literacy learning (e.g., phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics). Candidates will consider how grammar is shaped by human cognition, culture, and speakers' communicative goals as well as how languages around the world construct words, figurative language, and sentences. In this course, language phenomenon, scientific bases, terminology on linguistics, multi-relational aspects and other related areas are discussed. Language phenomenon is discussed by reference to domains that nurture it. Language origins, language-brain relationship, sound, word, syntactic, meaning and social systems, communication with all its contexts, discourse analysis and its approaches, language learning and teaching aspects are all discussed throughout the course. Linguistics knowledge and language teaching methods are treated as integrated topics. Primary course goals are to provide candidates with the necessary information on language as a dynamic system, domains related to language, and creating an intellectual background for language and language teaching. An expected outgrowth of the study of linguistics is that students will realize the relationship between understanding specific structures in a language and effective language teaching. In addition, this course provides an up-to-date introduction to the study of linguistics, the discipline that investigates and describes language acquisition, production, and comprehension. The course will also examine English language structures--the language of the dominant society--and enhance language awareness. A field experience will be required; candidates will observe examples of student speech.
Offered: every fall & spring.
TESL 584 Curriculum, Assessment, & Methods of Teaching Native Language Arts 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to Native Language Arts (NLA) instruction for speakers of other languages. It is intended to provide models of instruction in the native language arts which are aligned with the New York State learning standards. Through reading, discussion, observation, and demonstration, candidates will come to understand the importance of native language literacy in the development of literacy in the second language. It has been found that there is a strong and positive correlation between literacy skills in the native language and literacy skills in the second language. Students with the highest levels of native language literacy are those who eventually become the strongest readers in the second language. Candidates will become familiar with approaches to teaching NLA in the 'Post-Method' Era. Candidates will be provided with experiences in teaching grammar, pronunciation, speaking, listening, vocabulary, reading and writing as well as experience a variety of methods to assess these components of Native Language Arts. As research has demonstrated, those skills and concepts learned in one language serve as a reference point for development of a second language. Therefore, a strong native language arts instructional program integrating learning experiences and standards will facilitate the transfer of literacy skills into English and will develop the ability to complete increasingly complex academic tasks.
Offered: every fall.
TESL 585 Methods and Materials of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to methods and materials for the teaching of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Through a program of lectures, readings, discussions, and practical teaching exercises in the field, candidates will explore the educational contexts in which English is taught and learned, methods and materials that teachers use to teach it, and the links between what teachers and learners do in the classroom and what applied linguistic research tells us about how second languages are learned. Satisfactory completion of the course indicates that candidates have acquired a basic knowledge of the methodology and materials of TESOL and basic skills in putting that knowledge into practice. There is a focus on core curricular areas, pedagogy, and materials for responsive instruction that utilizes research-tested approaches and instructional strategies that actively engage students in learning. More advanced study and supervised teaching practice will be acquired as candidates apply these skills in an ESL classroom during their supervised practicum. Field Experience: 25-hours of fieldwork required.
Offered: fall and summer.
TESL 586 Methods of Teaching the Subject Areas in the Native Language 3 Credits
This course is for elementary and secondary teachers who will be or are currently working with culturally and linguistically diverse students. It is intended to provide models of content area instruction in the native language, aligned with the New York State learning standards. Through reading, discussion, observation and demonstration, candidates will learn about teaching content across curricular subject areas as well as understand the importance of native language literacy in the development of literacy in the second language. The course explores English language development in the context of academic language socialization, specifically through the instruction of English along with the curricula of the content areas. There is a focus on core curricular areas, pedagogy, and materials for responsive instruction that utilizes research-tested approaches and instructional strategies that actively engage students in learning. It includes responsive instruction which is differentiated; it meets the needs of ALL learners including those who struggle, those in the middle, and those who are high achievers and need challenges. Field experience: 25 hours of fieldwork required.
Offered: every spring.
TESL 587 Evaluation Assessment in Bilingual/TESOL Education 3 Credits
In this course, candidates will examine assessment measures and evaluation protocols as well as methodologies for dynamic instruction (instruction that includes ongoing assessment in the process of teaching) with ESL/CLD learners. Current research and materials for TESOL instruction, assessment, and evaluation will be analyzed for validity, reliability, and utility. Various instructional models for dynamic instruction will also be explored for effectiveness. Dynamic teaching refers to teaching with ongoing assessment and immediate adjustment in instruction based on in-the-moment assessment that informs the teacher to remediate, go on, or challenge learners. Candidates will analyze the internal construction of testing instruments, procedures for alternative assessment of ESL/CLD students, and options for appropriately adapting tests that are part of classroom curriculum in ways that make them effective and equitable for ESL/CLD learners. Students will complete a field case study as part of this course.
Offered: fall and summer.
TESL 588 University Supervised Fieldwork in TESOL 3 Credits
This is a field based supervised practicum in which candidates demonstrate competencies related to providing instruction to CLD/ESL students and leadership on TESOL within a school setting. They work with a teacher of CLD/ESL students in an assigned school and with a university supervisor. Students participate in seminar sessions for reflection, 'debriefing', and dialog on their experiences. Field Experience: 90 hours of student teaching required.
Prerequisite: approval of program director.
Offered: every fall, spring, & summer.
TESL 590 Foundations of Bilingual Education 3 Credits
This is a survey course intended to explore foundational elements of bilingual education: theory and practice, cultural perspectives, and linguistics and grammar. A survey of theories, practices, and research currently most productive and relevant to the teaching and learning of English as a second/foreign language are described and evaluated. Candidates will have an opportunity to investigate theory informing best practice. Examination of cultural perspectives will include the current debate regarding the role and definition of culture in the English Language Learner (ELL) classroom. Students will come to understand the effects of cultural stereotyping, as well as the impact culture has on students? learning styles and classroom experiences. Finally, candidates will be introduced to the core disciplines of linguistics, the scientific study of language, as they apply to literacy learning, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Candidates will consider how grammar is shaped by human cognition, culture, and speakers' communicative goals as well as how languages around the world construct words, figurative language, and sentences. Field Experience: 10 hours of fieldwork required.
Offered: once a year.
TESL 620 Research Project in TESOL 3 Credits
This course is the second in a research-design sequence that begins with EDR 616: Research Methods in Reading. Both EDR 616 and TESL 620 will familiarize TESOL candidates with procedures for conducting rigorous and well-controlled research in the field. This experience will prepare candidates to be more discriminating consumers of research, especially that which is reported in TESOL professional journals.
Prerequisite: approval of program director.
Offered: occasionally, online only.
