Part 1
Foundations and Methodology (TESL-101)
This course provides the foundations for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Students study the history and nature of language as well as the process of language acquisition, culture, and identity. This theoretical knowledge is applied to develop lesson plans based on needs assessment and curriculum learning outcomes.
Linguistics and Pedagogical Grammar (TESL-102)
This course provides students with an introductory knowledge of the grammatical structures of English, including morphology, syntax, and verb systems. Students learn techniques for teaching grammatical concepts for all levels of ESL proficiency from basic to advanced including the necessary metalanguage to explain grammatical concepts.
Teaching Skills 1 (TESL-103)
This course provides students with a practical framework for teaching ESL, including learning and teaching styles, language immersion, teaching beginners and multi-level classes, classroom management, evaluation and testing as well as using technology and other resources/materials. In addition, students design and deliver lessons to their peers and receive feedback.
Practicum 1 (TESL-104)
Students apply the theoretical concepts learned in TESL 101, 102, 103 to pair and solo teach with a qualified mentor teacher. Students must submit a portfolio project consisting of an observation and teaching reflection journal, and a report documenting all practicum hours at the end of the course.
Part 2
Language and Culture (TESL-202)
This course provides understanding of the socio-cultural and socio-political dimensions of teaching ESL. Students learn about the stages of acculturation, different learning styles, and their influence in second language acquisition and literacy. Other major topics for this course include cultural identity in Canada and other countries, major barriers that prevent immigrants from interacting in diverse societies including Canada. Finally, the course explores strategies to foster an inclusive understanding of cultural education in an ESL learning context.
Assessment and Evaluation (TESL-204)
This course focuses on the assessment and evaluation process in ESL. Students study level assessment and principles of second language testing, including the Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) as references for classroom assessment and evaluation tools. Finally, students learn how to design level and skill appropriate tests and understand how standardized tests work.
Teaching Skills 2 (TESL-205)
This course focuses on specific teaching strategies prospective ESL instructors must have to effectively teach the four learning skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing). Participants design authentic communicative materials that develop their students' accuracy and fluency in English and increase their confidence as they convey their ideas effectively. This course emphasizes the integration of the four learning skills in several ways to resemble natural interactions in the real world, the use of technology and online resources as well as feedback and error correction in the classroom. This course also contains a pronunciation and grammar teaching component that combines theory and practice, and their assimilation to the four learning skills.
Practicum 2 (TESL-208)
Using practical observations from ESL classes, students will analyze the methodologies used, teaching and lesson planning techniques, role of the teacher and students, and classroom management techniques. Additionally, students will apply the theoretical concepts learned in TESL 101, 102, 103, 202, 204, and 205 to practice teach and solo teach with a qualified mentor teacher. Finally, students will be required to submit a portfolio project consisting of an observation and teaching reflection journal, and a report documenting all practicum hours at the end of the course.