Clarkson University - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

TEACHING

ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES CLARKSON UNIVERSITY

Online Master of Arts in Teaching and Advanced Certificate Programs

The growing need for TESOL teachers

New York state needs teachers certified to teach English to speakers of other languages. With the extraordinary growth of English language learners, teaching positions are going unfilled because schools cannot find certified teachers to hire. In the current environment, a rewarding teaching position in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is almost guaranteed.

Be part of the solution

The new Master of Arts in Teaching — ESOL (MAT ESOL) online program is offered through Clarkson’s Capital Region Campus and its Department of Education. The MAT ESOL enables individuals who have completed an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences degree to obtain initial and professional teaching certification in English as a New Language (ENL). Students may come from diverse academic degrees but are united in their love for language, culture and working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.

“Teaching English as a new language is such a satisfying and rewarding career because it truly provides the opportunity to change students’ lives. We teach English, but we also work with other teachers to make math, science and social studies accessible to English language learners.

We also advocate for our ELLs and support their transition to America.”

— Karen Gregory, Assistant Professor & Director of the MAT ESOL Program

Program highlights

Fully Online. The MAT ESOL program coursework is entirely online, allowing for flexibility in terms of location and daily schedule. Despite the online nature of the program, students are supported by faculty and staff, a mentor teacher and a peer group of talented students who are completing the program together.

Job Success. 100% of 2019 MAT ESOL graduates received job offers in K-12 schools.

Classroom Experience. The MAT ESOL experience includes two half-year residencies — one in an elementary school and the other in a secondary school. Each residency includes intense support from a carefully selected mentor teacher and regular visits from a Clarkson supervisor.

Clinical Faculty. MAT ESOL courses are taught by faculty who have experience as accomplished ENL specialists and TESOL educators. They model a range of effective teaching strategies. Their expertise will enable students to become reflective and effective teachers.

Theory & Practice Integration. Students take key courses while enrolled in the residency; assignments will draw from and apply to residency teaching. The MAT ESOL program emphasizes theory as it informs teaching practice.

STUDENT PROFILE

Madeline Rehm ’19 By the time Madeline Rehm graduated from college she knew what she wanted to do, and she knew how she was going to do it.

“In my last semester of college, I began researching MAT ESOL programs because I knew that this was what I wanted to do,” she said.

As a college student with an independent spirit, the Lake George, New York, native had taken some time off to live and work in Spain, teaching English as a foreign language to children there.

“I loved watching kids who at first couldn’t handle a new language go from zero to total understanding. It was exciting to watch.”

“I sent an inquiry to Clarkson’s MAT program asking if they had a program for English as a New Language/TESOL. As it turned out, they were in the process of creating just such a program.”

When she returned to Siena College in 2016 to complete her degree, she switched her major from biology to Spanish.

Madeline met with Catherine Snyder, associate professor and chair of Clarkson’s Department of Education, and Nicki Foley, assistant director of education programs.

“

In today’s political climate it is especially important that refugees and immigrants who come to the United States be able to communicate so that they have the resources to not only survive but thrive. English language competency is essential to their success.”

“It was an informal meeting that turned into an interview.

They immediately got me into classes for the spring.”

“I am considering adding a Spanish certificate to my degree. A double certificate will make me more marketable.”

The 39-credit MAT ESOL program can be completed in 12 to 22 months, depending on the path students choose.

Reflecting on her decision to pursue teaching English to non-native speakers, Madeline is thoughtful. “In today’s political climate it is especially important that refugees and immigrants who come to the United States be able to communicate so that they have the resources to not only survive but thrive.

English language competency is essential to their success.”

“That’s one of the things I like most about this program.

It is very individualized.”

As part of the program, Madeline also completed a residency with an elementary and secondary ENL teacher.

Upon graduation in June 2019, Madeline was hired as a full-time ENL teacher.

Multiple pathways to TESOL

Clarkson offers programs for current and aspiring teachers to become certified in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

Master of Arts in Teaching ESOL (MAT ESOL) The MAT ESOL program at Clarkson is 39 credit hours, with completely online coursework. Students can complete the program in as little as one year or spread their studies out. Because each semester’s course offerings differ, program completion times may vary. Students who begin in the summer term (mid-May) can complete the degree within 12 months. Students starting in the spring semester (second week of January) can complete the degree within 18 months. Those who start the program in the fall semester (last week of August) may complete the degree in 22 months. Candidates who complete this degree successfully will receive Clarkson’s endorsement for initial/ professional PK-12 certification in TESOL.

Certificate of Advanced Study in TESOL (CAS TESOL) For teachers already practicing in the classroom who are interested in acquiring an additional certification, we also offer a 16-credit online Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in TESOL. This certificate will provide added skills and value to your overall teaching portfolio, ensuring more flexibility and security in the job market and allowing schools to forgo putting a second teacher in a classroom with English language learners.

Candidates who complete this certificate successfully will receive Clarkson’s endorsement for certification in TESOL. — CAS TESOL Residency. The CAS TESOL experience includes two 10-day (or 60-hour) residencies, one in an elementary school and the other in a secondary school, working with an experienced ENL teacher as a mentor and a Clarkson supervisor. In addition, CAS TESOL students will complete 60 hours of practicum in diverse ENL settings.

— Flexibility. The CAS TESOL coursework is offered entirely online and can be completed in one calendar year or spread out over two years.

— Pathways. Flexible start dates allow for individualized pathways for program completion.

— Prerequisites. In order to pursue the CAS TESOL, students must possess a valid New York state teaching certification.

Yearlong classroom residency, to prepare you for success

All MAT ESOL students complete an intensive summer online program with a fieldwork component that is designed to prepare aspiring teachers for their yearlong residency. One semester of the residency will be spent teaching grades K-6 and the other teaching grades 7-12, providing a well-rounded experience. Each candidate’s residency will be individually decided upon with the candidate based on career goals and location.

The advanced certificate pathway does not require a full-year residency; however, fieldwork components are required by New York state and will be arranged and completed in the candidate’s local district.

STUDENT PROFILE

“Clarkson is providing me with the tools to become a teacher who is able to generate a creative, engaging and caring classroom environment.”

Sabine Murphy ’19

“

I chose Clarkson because I have met teachers who graduated from the program.

One teacher who comes to mind is Isabell Shields ’15.

Her confidence, content knowledge and enthusiasm for teaching are contagious.

I am currently enrolled in two classes, and I can already sense the enthusiasm for teaching passed down by the Clarkson professors.

I am of a ‘more-seasoned’ age, but I always wanted to be a teacher. For the past 16 years, I have homeschooled my four children, and I enjoyed working with other homeschooling moms. In our homeschool community we always looked for better ways to teach the kids. The words ‘cannot do’ never crossed our lips. It was more like: what else can we do?

I loved the excitement and appreciation of fellow parents with whom I was sharing teaching responsibilities.

I did not think that I would find such an exciting and engaging teaching environment again, until I stepped on to Clarkson’s Capital Region Campus in Schenectady, New York.

Clarkson is providing me with the tools to become a teacher who is able to generate a creative, engaging and caring classroom environment.”

Admission General Requirements

MAT ESOL

— Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

For the MAT ESOL, a complete application file consists of the following items:

— A minimum of 12 credits in world language and/or American Sign Language or demonstrated fluency in a language other than English.

— Online application, which can be completed at: gradapp.clarkson.edu/apply.

— Undergraduate liberal arts core, including courses in humanities or the arts, writing or communication, social sciences and STEM. — ED500 Field Experience: Four days of structured observations in schools, which can be arranged by the Department of Education.

ED500 must be completed before the summer intensive and can be completed in fall or spring in the first year if students select the 18-month or two-year program.

Call 518-631-9870 for more information.

— Educational Psychology: An undergraduate course or independent study with the Department of Education. The exam must be completed before the summer intensive and can be completed in fall or spring in the first year if students select the two-year program.

— Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.

— GRE or Miller Analogies Test (offered at the CRC).* — Resume/CV. — Statement of purpose.

— Three letters of recommendation.

— In-person or virtual interview.

— TOEFL score of 80 minimum, IELTS score of 6.5 minimum, Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 56 minimum or Duolingo score of 61 minimum (international students).

— Certificate of finance to receive an I-20 (international students).

We recommend the following deadlines for completed applications: — 18-month program that begins in the spring: November 1.

— One-year program that begins in the summer: April 1.

— Two-year program that begins in the fall: June 1. *GRE and/or Miller Analogies Test may be waived for applicants with a graduate degree.

CAS TESOL In order to pursue the CAS TESOL, students must possess a valid New York state teaching certification.

For the CAS TESOL, a complete application file consists of the following items: — Online application, which can be completed at: gradapp.clarkson. edu/apply.

— Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.

— Resume/CV. — Essay/Statement of purpose.

— Two letters of recommendation.

— In-person or virtual interview.

— TOEFL score of 80 minimum, IELTS score of 6.5 minimum, Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 56 minimum or Duolingo score of 61 minimum (international students).

— Certificate of finance to receive an I-20 (international students).

Scholarships. The MAT ESOL and CAS TESOL programs offer a range of merit and need-based scholarships provided by New York state grant funding, donor support and the University. For 2017-2021, significant scholarship funding is available to applicants from underrepresented populations.

Applicants are encouraged to inquire about these opportunities. There are no application forms for scholarships.

The Clinically Rich-Intensive Teacher Institute (CR-ITI) Grant. Clarkson’s TESOL programs are supported by the New York State Department of Education’s Clinically Rich-Intensive Teacher Institute Grant. Qualified students may be eligible for tuition assistance. The unique program design allows students the flexibility to take courses online while receiving support through a mentored residency.

Questions should be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions at 518-631-9831 or graduate@clarkson.edu.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLARKSON’S TESOL PROGRAMS AT

clarkson.edu/graduate/tesol.

RC 8/2019 .5M QMC

Department of Education Capital Region Campus 80 Nott Terrace Schenectady, NY 12308 518-631-9880

Office of Graduate Admissions 518-631-9831 graduate@clarkson.edu

clarkson.edu/graduate/tesol Clarkson University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status in provision of educational opportunity or employment opportunities.