AREA of CONCENTRATION - TESOL
(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

INTRODUCTION:

The United States is becoming an increasingly diverse country. By the year 2050, it is estimated that the school age population of students of color will be more than 50%. Of this population, over 1,500 students currently living in the St. Louis area speak more than 37 languages.   There are also smaller but growing numbers in other communities across the state and in neighboring states in our service area. This ethnically heterogeneous population is currently under-served in the schools. Although, for the past decade the St. Louis schools have utilized English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to served this group, they now find that the non-English speaking population has nearly doubled in the past five years and that there has been a 15% increase in the number of LEP (Limited English Proficient) students in the last year. These changes have placed a strain on their available resources which normally assist these populations.

Even with the help of the $5.5 million federal grant that the St. Louis public schools received in 1996 to develop pilot bilingual programs over the next 5 years, the schools will need to continue their ESL programs since the purposes of these two programs are somewhat different.   While ESL classes immerse students with little or no English skills into classrooms where only English is spoken so that they can learn the language quickly, bilingual programs teach students certain subjects in their native languages so that they won't fall behind or drop out. Bilingual programs also enable parents to assist with homework and help students to feel connected to their native language and culture, thus creating a connection between their old and new communities.  ESL and bilingual programs help to provide equitable schooling for every child. This means that students who speak languages other than English are given the chance to succeed and adjust quickly in their new culture through these programs.

Therefore, as the St. Louis schools hire more and more qualified teachers to teach the bilingual classes in Russian, Chinese, Spanish, French,and Arabic, they will also be seeking elementary classroom teachers who have expertise in TESOL. Elementary education majors who select TESOL as their area of concentration will be able to use the knowledge and practical skills acquired through these courses in their own classrooms, and also assist the work of teachers who are working directly with the ESL and bilingual programs. Practicum experiences in TESOL will be available through the University's service area. Since there is a continued demand for teachers with these skills not only in Missouri but across the nation, this area of concentration offers increased opportunities for employment.

Goals and Objectives of the Program:

This area of concentration will enable students to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Specifically, the courses will enable students to: (1) identify the systems of language in their interactions with students, (2) identify basic theories of first and second language learning and teaching, (3) develop curriculum units and materials for teaching TESOL, (4) implement lessons in TESOL in the classroom, (5) identify their own cultural values and beliefs and those of their students, (6) identify equity issues in schooling which prevent second language students from performing at expected levels, (7) analyze and evaluate criteria for selecting multicultural literature, and (8) create classroom extensions of students' cultural communities.

Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills:

Students who complete this area of concentration in TESOL will be able to: (1) critically analyze the systems of language, (2) demonstrate an appreciation for people of other cultures and their differences in learning and behavior, (3) express themselves clearly in written and oral form before students and faculty, and (4) effectively use theories of first and second language learning to create and implement lessons for their second language students.

Structure of the Area of Concentration:

UI501 Principles of Language (3)
EN525 Theories of Second Language Learning (3)
EN585 Methods and Techniques of TESOL (3)
EN425 Materials Development and Assessment of TESOL (3)
EL274 Diversity in America's Schools (3)
SE272 Teaching Reading in the Secondary School (3)
EN530 Practicum in TESOL (3)

TOTAL HOURS: 21

This Area of Concentration meets the current Missouri state certification requirements. Students completing this area of concentration will be recommended for endorsement upon their successful completion of this program in conjunction with the Elementary Education certification.