Saint Michael's College

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Fall 2008

The courses listed below are either a Required Course (R) or an Elective Course (E) for the degree program. 

Click on the Course Code to see the full course description. If you have questions, please contact the academic advisor, Dr. Susan Jenkins, sjenkins@smcvt.edu, 802.654.2801, or the Program Assistant, Deni Bergne, dbergne@smcvt.edu, 802.654.2684.

Classes begin the week of September 1st and end the week of December 19th unless otherwise noted. Monday classes are held on Labor Day, September 1st.

Key: JEM = Jeanmarie Hall; STE = Saint Edmund's Hall; SCI = Cheray Science Hall

(R) GSL 500Introduction to Language and Linguistics (4 cr.)
Instructor: Elizabeth O’Dowd
Monday/Wednesday, 4:15pm-5:55pm
Saint Edmund's Hall 106
This course provides an overview of topics and issues in language and linguistics. It covers basic concepts and terminology in the major areas of phonology and phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, psychology of language, and language acquisition. This course should be taken early in the program.

 (R)GSL 506Master’s Seminar (2 cr.)Day /Time Change
Instructor: Robert Fox
Wednesday 6:10pm-7:50pm
Saint Edmund's Hall 121
This course is required of all students. It develops skills for success in the genre and practice of presentation, writing for academic purposes, and critical analysis. Course content for readings, written work, and oral presentations is specifically focused on linguistics and language teaching contexts. This course should be taken in the first semester.

(R)GSL 542 Theory and Method in Second Language Teaching (4cr.)
Instructor: Daniel Evans
Tuesday/Thursday, 4:15pm-5:55pm
Saint Edmund's Hall 121
This course addresses the most current theories of first and second language acquisition across different age and developmental levels as well as across diverse cultural groupings.  Content covers: effects of age, attitude, human learning styles, personality, socio-cultural factors, affective factors, and first language on learning a second language, needs of the learner, the role of the teacher and the application of methodology in developing communicative competence in a second language.

(R)GSL 543 Teaching Oral Skills in ESOL & English Phonology (4cr)
Instructor: Carolyn Duffy
Monday/Wednesday, 4:15 p.m. - 5:55 p.m.
Saint Edmund's Hall 121
Relevant theoretical issues as well as demonstration and discussion of materials and techniques for teaching the skills of listening, speaking, and pronunciation to all levels and all ages in various environments are the foci of this course.

(E)GSL 546 K-12 Literacy for ESOL (4cr.)
Instructor: Staff
Tuesday, 6:10pm-8:40pm
Saint Edmund's Hall 106
This course explores the process of emergent literacy as well as reading and writing in the content areas for English language learners in K-12 schools.  The focus is on the differences between first and second language literacy acquisition and standards-based assessment and lesson planning.  Required for ESL licensure. Partially online.

 (E)GSL 547ESOL in the Content Areas (4 cr.)
Instructor:  Section A, Mark Nigolian
                       Section B, Rita MacDonald
Section A: Wednesday, 6:10-8:40pm  Day Change
Saint Edmund's Hall 106
Section B: Thursday 6:10-8:40pm
Cheray Science Hall 116
This course introduces K-12 content area and ESOL teachers to strategies for collaborating together in order to ensure that students with limited English proficiency will access the curriculum for academic success.  Topics include the process of language acquisition, challenges of academic language, and methods for sheltering and scaffolding content area instruction while developing language and literacy skills.

(E)GSL 604 Second Language Acquisition  (2  cr.)Day /Time Change
Instructor: John Halliwell
Friday, 4:15 p.m.-5:55 p.m.
Jeanmarie Hall 393
This course introduces language teachers to bilingualism, the relationship between the acquisition of one's native language and languages learned after childhood; and biological and social constraints on second language acquisition. Contending models of second language acquisition are evaluated, and applications to language instruction are demonstrated with examples from language learners.  Prerequisites: GSL 500, 502, 542

(R)GSL 685 Practicum I: Seminar/Observation (2cr.)
Instructor: Sally Cummings
Thursday, 6:15pm-7:45pm
Jeanmarie Hall 364
Students may assist in an ESOL adult class to gain awareness of ELL needs, observe the connection between objectives, activities, and assessment, identify teaching techniques and strategies, create lesson plans, and teach part or whole lessons. Should be taken in the first semester.

(R)GSL 688 Practicum II: Classroom Teaching (2cr.)
Instructor: Sheena MacPherson
Tuesday, 4:15pm-5:55pm and to be arranged with instructor
Jeanmarie Hall 364
Students serve as classroom interns in department programs, area schools, and a variety of other institutions. Activities include classroom observation, conferences for planning and feedback, and classroom teaching. Should be taken in the student's final semester.

(E)GSL 690 Thesis Research Seminar (2cr.)
Instructor: Carolyn Duffy
Tuesday, 6:10pm-7:50pm
Jeanmarie Hall 377
Students are introduced to the research process (generating questions and hypotheses, research design, data collection, and analysis) through a survey of research methods in TESOL and related fields. Students identify a research question and carry out an extensive literature review in preparation for developing a research proposal in GSL 691 and conducting thesis research under the guidance of a committee.

 (E)GSL 691Thesis (4 cr.)
Instructor:  Staff
TBA
Students form a thesis committee of three faculty members and continue to refine the research proposal begun in GSL 690. On approval of the proposal, students conduct a research study and write a thesis under the guidance of the thesis advisor.  Students will defend the results of their thesis research before their committee.  Prerequisite: GSL 690.

For questions on courses or registration, contact:

Deni Bergne
Department of Applied Linguistics
E-mail: dbergne@smcvt.edu
Phone: 802.654.2300

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PROGRAMS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES

Saint Michael's offers the following programs in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL):
a 36-credit Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages;
a 48-credit MATESOL with ESL K-12 Teacher License/Endorsement Program;
a post-bachelor's, 18-21 credit Graduate TESOL Certificate; and,
an intensive, six-week non-credit training Diploma Program.

The TESOL programs are designed for both prospective and experienced teachers. For the prospective TESOL teacher, they provide foundations in TESOL as well as a more rounded view of the field. For the teacher who has taught ESL, they provide an opportunity for the upgrading of skills and the enriching of educational and cultural backgrounds.

For questions, contact Deni Bergne, dbergne@smcvt.edu, in the Department of Applied Linguistics.