<HTML> <HEAD> <title>MA in TESOL - The School for Overseas Students - TAU</title> </HEAD> <body bgcolor="#546AF6" background="images/Back_Texture.gif"> <TABLE> <tr> <td width="10"></td> <td width="647"> <center> <img src="pic/maProgram.jpg" width="222" height="171"><br> <hr width="30%" noshade></center> <h2 align="center" style="color:#FF0000">M.A. Program in TESOL</h2> <h3 align="center" style="color:#FF0000">(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)</h3> <h4 align="center">Tel-Aviv University<br>The Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education</h4> <p> The desirability of a graduate degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a direct result of the high status and prestige that English enjoys in the international community. as a global language The English language is being taught today in a wide variety of contexts and at all levels of education, schools and higher education institutions in countries where English is not the national language, as well as in English speaking countries to immigrants in schools, at the work place and in society at large. Consequently, there is currently an increase in the demand and need for well-trained TESOL experts: teachers, curriculum writers, language testers, etc. The MA TESOL program at Tel-Aviv University was established to respond to this growing need world wide. The School of Education in TAU is proud to have launched this unique MA program to train teachers and experts in the field via the medium of the English language. </p> <p> Israel has gained reputation world wide for its innovative programs, creative curricula, and advanced technological materials (e.g., computerized educational/ instructional materials). In particular existing TESOL teacher training programs in Israel have received major recognition in terms of their high quality training, material development and research. Specifically, the faculty at TAU, where a program of Language Education was established in 1981, is known for the high level of scientific research in the field of TESOL, as well as in the learning of other languages, as measured by amount of publications in major international journals, presentations at conferences and graduates who hold high level positions in various domains of learning second languages in Israel and in other countries. The MA TESOL program, established in 2003, offers a well-balanced combination of a strong background in applied linguistics with a sound knowledge-base in pedagogical classroom issues of teaching English in diverse contexts. </p> <p> Tel Aviv University (TAU), Israel's largest university, is a dynamic center of learning that draws students from all around the globe to its lively and expanding campus. Located in the heart of Israel, the TAU campus is a gateway - to the nearby city of Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural and business center; to the entire ancient-modern land of Israel; and to the life and history of the country and the region. </p> <h4 style="color:#FF0000">Admission Requirements</h4> <p> The program is open to all students who hold a BA degree in the humanities or social sciences, or any other field relevant to education, awarded by a recognized academic institution in the US or in other countries, and with the equivalent of an Israeli grade point average of 80 or above (a GPA of 3.0). It especially aims at a student population whose home language is English and who used English as their medium of instruction in school. Admission also depends on a candidate's personal suitability to the program as assessed and decided by an admission committee consisting of academic staff members. </p> <p> The applicants from United States and Canada may qualify for graduate student loans in their respective countries. Tel Aviv University is a fully recognized university of international status, and as such is listed as an approved university both for the granting of loans and the deferment of payments on existing student loans. </p> <h4 style="color:#FF0000">The Program</h4> <p> The academic courses of the program are similar to those of the MA in language education program administered in Hebrew, with additional courses in the methodology of teaching English as a second/foreign language. </p> <div style="border:solid;font-weight:bold"> <p> The program covers the following four areas: <ol> <li> Approaches to and theories of second language acquisition, learning and teaching <span style="font-weight:normal">(17 credits*)</span></li> <li> Background in linguistics <span style="font-weight:normal">(4 credits)</span></li> <li> Research methods in language acquisition, learning and teaching and classroom research <span style="font-weight:normal">(6 credits)</span></li> <li> Teaching methods and practical training <span style="font-weight:normal">(9 credits)<span>.</li> </ol> <span style="font-weight:normal">*one credit = one semester hour</span> </div> <p> The degree students will receive upon completion of studies an<br> "<b>MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)</b>" </p> <p> There are two program options: </p> <ol type="a"> <li> A Thesis Track</li> <li> A Non-Thesis Track (introduced in 2005).</li> </ol> <p> For a detailed description of the components of each track and a list of courses please go to <a href="ma_tesol.doc">Program Description</a> </p> <hr> <script LANGUAGE = "JavaScript"> <!-- hide script from old browsers document.write("This page was last updated on " + document.lastModified ); // end hiding contents --> </script> </center> </td> </tr> </TABLE> </BODY> </HTML>