Non-Degree Programs

All courses listed under the requirements for the TESL Endorsement can be applied toward the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics with a K12 Graduate TESL Certificate. It is anticipated that a graduate of the K12 Graduate TESL Certificate program who has all the prerequisites for the Master of Arts in linguistics can apply for admission to that program and complete the additional 16 credits needed for that degree in approximately four semesters as a part-time student or two semesters as a full-time student. The courses that make up the 16 credits of additional work for the M.A. degree are:

• LIN 5503 - Introduction to Phonology (4 credits)
• LIN 5504 - Introduction to Syntax (4 credits)
• LIN 5505 - Phonetic Theory (4 credits)
• LIN 6998 - Seminar in Linguistics (4 credits)
  
  or
  
  
• LIN 6999 - The Master’s Thesis (4 credits)

For students completing the K12 Graduate TESL Certificate program who have less than a 3.0 grade-point average in courses taken in that program, and who wish to apply for admission to the M.A. program, the Department of Linguistics will consider their applications on an individual basis.

All of the credits are subject to the six-year time limit.

It is no secret that Michigan K12 schools are experiencing an increase in enrollment of English learners and along with this increase the demand for K12 teachers who hold an ESL (NS) endorsement is growing rapidly. Schools are seeking teachers with the NS endorsement to coordinate ESL programs, and to teach in pull out programs as well as in regular classrooms where English learners have been integrated with native speakers. Whether your teaching license is in elementary or secondary education, your chances of securing a teaching position is significantly enhanced if you have k12 TESL training. School superintendents and principals know that English learners need special attention from qualified teachers trained in TESL.

The Department of Linguistics offers a K12 TESL Certificate Program that leads to an (NS) K12 Endorsement by the Michigan Department of Education for teachers holding a Michigan teaching license. The program consists of 24 credits that can be completed in four to six terms.

*Please note that the Michigan Department of Education requires that candidates for the ESL (NS) Endorsement have completed two terms of study in a foreign language or the equivalent.

• 24-credit planned program which teachers can use to receive their professional K12 endorsement in TESL
• entire program can be completed in 4 terms-- fall, winter, spring (shortened term), summer (July only) or spread over 6 terms-- fall, winter, spring (shortened term), summer (July only), winter
• winter (2 four credit courses - 4 credits are offered online) and spring courses (3 two credit courses all offered online)
• all courses (with the exception of LIN 5501) can be applied toward the M.A. in Linguistics at Oakland University

Christy Osborne, CAS ‘15
ESL Consultant in Oakland County districts

"After being laid off multiple times in a shrinking school district, I was looking for a way to be more in demand as an educator. The ESL Endorsement Program at Oakland University gave me that opportunity and has already enriched my career. New 'No Child Left Behind' requirements are forcing many districts to revamp their programs and hire qualified educators to service their ESL students. Oakland's program has placed me in a unique and small group of educators eligible to apply for these positions. After completing the program, I have a new perspective on the language acquisition and cultural needs of ESL students. I am equipped with an array of techniques, strategies and activities to service students and educators who have these students in their mainstreamed classrooms. I have already been approached for a new ESL job in my district to help create a program and train teachers in effective techniques. I highly recommend pursuing this endorsement to further your career and enrich your district's ESL program."

Admission is selective. The department will consider applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and whose credentials, including transcripts and two letters of recommendation, give evidence of academic distinction. Applicants must explain, in a statement of purpose, their reasons for wishing to pursue the TESL Endorsement. A grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate work is ordinarily the minimum standard for admission. An online application can be obtained through Graduate School.

The following is a schedule for the cohort. Classes are held in the early evening during the fall. Location TBA. Winter and spring classes are offered on-line. Summer classes are held during the day over a four week period. Course sequence and scheduling are subject to change. The number of credits for each course is indicated in parentheses.

• LIN 5501 (4) -- Linguistic Structures (F)
• ALS 6630 (4) -- Language Pedagogy (W Online)
• ALS 5589 (4) -- Special Education and Second Language Acquisition (W online)
• ALS 6631 (2) -- Curriculum and Material Design (Sp Online)
• ALS 6632 (2) -- Assessment and Compliance. (Sp Online)
• ALS 6570 (2) -- Language, Culture and Society (Sp Online)
• ALS 6960 (4) -- ESL Practicum (S)
• ALS 6530 (2) -- Language Acquisition (S)

LIN 5501 Linguistic Structures (4)

An introduction to linguistic analysis and the nature of human language within a modern linguistic framework using data from English and other languages. This course provides an overview of sound, structure, meaning, dialect variation, historical change, and linguistic universals. A grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate work is ordinarily the minimum standard for admission to the Master of Arts in linguistics program.

ALS 5589 Special Education and Second Language Acquisition (4)

Provides comprehensive information about the process of determining whether a struggling English learner has an underlying disability, or if difficulties are due to a lack of language proficiency. This course will provide an overview of research-based assessment, diagnosis, accommodations, and interventions that address the complex learning needs of at-risk English learners. This course will also provide guidelines for special education referrals fair evaluation procedures for English learners.

ALS 6530 Language Acquisition (2)

First language acquisition in children: stages of the acquisition process, the role of the environment, and the relationship between language and the development of other skills. Second language learning in children: influence of first language, age differentials, learning styles, and factors affecting second language learning. Description and evaluation of competing models of acquisition.

ALS 6570 Language, Culture, and Society (2)

Language in cultural and social context. Sociocultural variables in language use, in style and dialect, and in bilingual and multilingual educational situations. Comparison and interrelationship of English-speaking and linguistically diverse cultures. Effect of national/ethnic cultures on communication. Examination of role of language and nonverbal modes in intercultural communication.

ALS 6630 Language Pedagogy (4)

Investigation of current methods, approaches, and techniques for teaching ESL to LEP K-12 students. Focus on actual classroom practices and activities for teaching reading, writing, listening, pronunciation, conversation, grammar, and vocabulary, and integration of techniques to reflect language use. Design of lessons and activities for each skill area of language learning.

ALS 6631 Curriculum and Material Design (2)

Design, evaluation, and selection of materials appropriate for second language learners. Focus on determination of age appropriate and proficiency-appropriate materials. Modification of existing materials and/or assigned curricula to meet student needs. Design of curricula for K-12 ESL learners consistent with theory-based expectations of language improvement.

ALS 6632 Assessment and Compliance (2)

Identification, assessment, and placement of students in proficiency-appropriate levels and programs. Investigation of ESL assessment tools. Design of assessment tools for classroom use. Investigation of strategies for preparation of LEP students for standardized tests. Investigation of legal implications of Title VI in curriculum and program design.

ALS 6960 ESL Practicum (4)

Supervised experience in ESL with students at various levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and ages (K-12). Graded S/U.

Relationship to the Master of Arts in Linguistics

All courses listed under the requirements for the ESL Endorsement (with the exception of LIN 5501) can be applied toward the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics with a TESL specialization. It is anticipated that a graduate of the Endorsement Program who has all the prerequisites for the Master of Arts in Linguistics can apply for admission to that program and complete the additional 16 credits needed for that degree in approximately four semesters as a part-time student or two semesters as a full-time student.* The courses that make up the 16 credits of additional work for the M.A. degree are LIN 5503, LIN 5504, LIN 5505, and either LIN 6998 or LIN 6999. For students completing the Graduate K12 TESL Certificate Program who have less than a 3.0 grade point average in courses taken in that Program, and who wish to apply for admission to the M.A. program, the Linguistics Department will consider their applications on an individual basis.

*The M.A. specialization in TESL has a foreign language requirement of four semesters of foreign language study (with at least two of those semesters being study of the same language). Most students will have satisfied this requirement during their undergraduate study and these credits are not included in the 16 graduate credits listed above. Those students with little or no foreign language background may opt for a different specialization in consultation with an advisor.

Is there a need for expertise in TESL in the K-12 system in the United States in general and in Michigan specifically?

The number of foreign-born individuals in the United States is increasing rapidly. In 1997, the foreign-born population was estimated at 25.8 million, a 30 percent increase over the 1990 census figure of 19.8 million and a 169 percent increase over the 1970 census figure of 9.6 million. According to the 2000 census, the foreign-born population rose to 28.4 million or 10.4 percent of the total population. The rapid increase in the foreign-born population from 9.6 million in 1970 to 28.4 million in 2000 reflects the high level of international migration during the past generation, a trend that will continue according to census projections.

The increases in the foreign-born population are important because they mean increases in the number of people who speak a first language other than English and who, therefore, are likely to need classes in English as a Second Language (ESL). According to the 2016 census, 46.5 percent of school age children in the United States - nearly one out of every five - speak a language other than English at home. 25.5 percent of those children speak English “not well” or “not at all.”

At the local level in Michigan, these increases have generated a number of surprising statistics. The database at Oakland Schools lists more than 100 languages spoken by residents of Oakland County, and it is not unusual to have more than a dozen different languages spoken in a single K-12 class. In cities like Troy and Farmington, residents speak 65 different languages, and, in the five county southeastern Michigan area, more than 1000 children of Japanese origin attend English classes every Saturday. In 2016, Plymouth-Canton Schools saw an increase of almost 35 percent in the number of students of Indian descent alone compared to 1998.

What will the TESL Endorsement enable me to do?

The courses in the TESL Endorsement Program will help you understand the linguistic and cultural problems that students have when English is not their native language. With TESL background and training, you will be able to deal with those problems effectively and help students who speak other languages become more integrated into classroom activities.

Can I get Teacher Certification along with the TESL Endorsement?

The Department of Linguistics does not offer teacher certification. For that, you must contact the School of Education and Human Services. For further information, go to the School of Education and Human Services.

Do I need to have teacher certification from the State of Michigan in order to enroll in the Endorsement Program?

No.

Can the courses in the Endorsement Program be used as a planned program of courses toward professional certification?

Yes.

When are the TESL Endorsement classes offered? Can I take them at night?

All of the TESL Endorsement classes, except for the final class (The Practicum), are offered in the evening or online. The Practicum, in which students teach a class under the supervision of a certified ESL teacher, will be scheduled as a day class but in the summer semester?

How is the program set up? Do I have to take classes in a certain order?

This program is set up within the framework of a cohort, where a set number of students begin the program and take all of the courses together in sequence. However, there are exceptions where students have applied and been accepted outside of the cohort framework.

What is a cohort?

A cohort is a group of individuals who participate in a program together. All the people who enroll in the first course will proceed together as a group to the second course, and so on until the Program is completed. Since students take all courses together, there are many opportunities for collaboration and team building.

If I wish to pursue an M.A. degree, in addition to the Graduate K12 TESL Certificate Program, when do I apply for the M.A. program?

You may apply for the M.A. program at any point after completing LIN 5501.

How many students will be in the classes?

It is anticipated that there will be 8-10 students in each cohort.

What happens if I am unable to take the courses in the sequence begun by my cohort?

You will have to wait to take whatever you miss with another cohort. If you must drop out for an extended period, you can always join another cohort when you are able to continue.

What sort of grading system is used in the courses?

The Graduate K12 TESL Certificate Program is subject to the same policies and procedures as other graduate programs. For details on such matters as course regulations, grading system, appeal processes, academic conduct, and problem resolution, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

How many classes do I need to take for the ESL Endorsement?

The ESL endorsement consists of 24 credit hours in 8 courses (four 2-credit courses and four 4-credit courses).

What is the cost of attendance?

Tuition and fees are stipulated by Oakland University and vary from year to year. For a list of the current tuition, see the Oakland University Schedule of Classes. You can also consult a cost estimator to determine the cost for each 2-credit or 4-credit course

How do I apply? What are the steps in the application process?

Once Graduate School Admissions and Student Services receive all necessary materials, application files are forwarded to the Linguistics Department for review by the faculty. Academic recommendations are made to Graduate Admissions and Student Services where a final decision on the application for admission is made. Applicants are notified of the decision by letter.

For other FAQs, please see Oakland University website for Graduate School studies.

LIN 2201 Introduction to Linguistics (4 credits)
Introduction to the modern study of human language. Emphasis on the analysis of sound and structure, variation and change, and linguistics universals.

ALS 4418 The Teaching of English as a Second Language (4 credits)
Approaches, methods, and techniques of teaching pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The use of language tests and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: LIN 201

ALS 4960 Practicum (4 credits)
Internship in an assigned ESL program under the guidance of a university instructor. Offered fall, winter, and spring. Availability in spring is limited. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. 

Prerequisite: ALS 4418 and permission of instructor.

Eligibility for the Practicum (ALS 4960, 5960) requires completion of ALS 4418 or 5518 with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Non-native speakers of English, in addition, must satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English.

LIN 5501 Linguistic Structure (4 credits)

ALS 5518 The Teaching of English as a Second Language (4 credits)
Approaches, methods, and techniques of teaching pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The use of language tests and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: LIN 5501

ALS 5960 Practicum (4 credits)
Internship in an assigned ESL program under the guidance of a university instructor. Offered fall, winter, and spring. Availability in spring is limited. May be repeated for up to 8 credits.  

Prerequisite: ALS 5518 and permission of instructor.

Eligibility for the Practicum  (ALS 5960) requires completion of ALS 4418 or 5518 with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Non-native speakers of English, in addition, must satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English.

All applicants with baccalaureate degrees from a regionally accredited institution will be considered. Ordinarily, a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.00 is required for admission to the program (as is the case for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in linguistics). Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English in order to be admitted to the Certificate Program.

Students must complete an approved program of at least 20 credits with an overall average of 3.00 in all courses, including ALS 5518, LIN 5501, and ALS 5517 or ALS 5538. ALS 5960 is also required for students with little or no ESL teaching experience. Students will choose at least 8 additional credits from among the following: ALS 5517, 5960, 5538, 5535, 5574, 5580; LIN 5503, 5504, 5505, 5507. Other ALS or LIN courses may be substituted with the approval of the certificate adviser. Courses included in the certificate should be selected to enhance competency in a specific field of interest and/or application. A minimum grade of 2.5 in each course and an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the

All courses listed under the requirements for the certificate count fully toward the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics with a TESL specialization. It is anticipated that a graduate of the certificate program who has all the prerequisites for the Master of Arts in Linguistics can apply for admission to that program and complete the additional credits needed for that degree in approximately two calendar years as a part-time student or in one calendar year as a full-time student. For students completing the certificate program who have less than a 3.0 grade point average in courses taken in that program, and who wish to apply for admission to the M.A. program, the department will consider their applications on an individual basis.

Eligibility for the Practicum (ALS 5960) requires completion of ALS 5518 with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Non-native speakers of English must in addition, satisfactorily complete an oral and written examination of English.