Teaching English as an Additional Language
Program Overview
The focus of the four-course topic is to prepare teachers for successful careers in Teaching English as an Additional Language. The Teaching English as an Additional Language topic area is a practical, research-informed program that is designed for teachers working with students learning English as an additional language.
Program Details
Experiential learning is learning by doing that bridges knowledge and experience through critical reflection. This program offers the following kinds of experiential learning opportunities:
- Engaging in and reflecting on English as an additional language (EAL) learning processes
- Developing effective English language teaching methodologies
- Developing and evaluating English language curriculum and material
- Developing, analyzing and critically reflecting on effective English language assessment practices
Target Audience:
- Educators who teach EAL learners integrated in typical classroom and school settings
- Educators with an interest in teaching English as an additional language
- School leaders in schools with diverse populations of students including EAL learners
- Consultants or other professionals involved with TEAL
A registration package will be sent to new students after they have been admitted. Registration for the summer term will be available in late winter. Fall and Winter registration opens in the spring. Your Graduate Program Administrator will send more information about registration to you.
Fee details are available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
The University of Calgary offers multiple ways to meet the cost of your education. Please refer to the Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries page to learn more about options available to students. For additional information, please contact Student Financial Support.
Please refer to Admission Requirements for Master's Programs.
Show initiative, get involved, and be part of workshops, series, talks, writing groups, associations, conferences, volunteering opportunities, or anything else that can transform your learning into actions that have importance to you or your community.
Eleftheria (Elita) Laios, MEd
Teaching English as an Additional Language
Elita graduated with her MEd in 2022. Read more about Elita's journey
Program Schedule & Course Descriptions
- Program begins each Summer term (refer to the Academic Schedule for specific dates)
- Outlines are normally available 1-2 weeks prior to the start of term in D2L
- 3 units per course
Term 1 - Summer
English as an Additional Language Learning
In this course, students examine the theoretical perspectives (e.g., critical, cognitive, psychological, sociocultural, linguistic, affective) and factors of language learning and the implications of theory and research in this area for the teaching and learning of English as an Additional Language. Students will learn how to support EALs with complex needs such as EAL plus SPED, long term EALs, EALs with Limited Formal Schooling.
Term 2 - Fall
Language Teaching Methods
In this course, students are introduced to English as an Additional Language (EAL) teaching methodologies. Students will examine teaching methods vis-à-vis specific language skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening and speaking), to make connections between language learning theories and language skills development. The course considers methods in a variety of contexts and their relation to students learning in these contexts.
Term 3 - Winter
Evaluating and Designing EAL Curricula
In this course, students create, develop, and evaluate English as an Additional Language (EAL) curricula for learners of all ages and abilities. Students will be exposed to a variety of frameworks and theories in teaching and learning EAL to inform their beliefs and practices regarding EAL curricula. Students will learn how to incorporate metalanguage into inquiry-based learning and how to differentiate learning for EALs within a whole class learning experience.
Term 4 - Spring
Assessing English Language Proficiency
In this course, students are introduced to a systematic approach to language assessment in English as an Additional Language (EAL) contexts. Students will analyze and evaluate assessments used/given in a variety of EAL contexts (eg., TOEFL, IELTS, Alberta K-12 ESL Proficiency Benchmarks). Having learned the principles of assessment in EAL, students will develop assessments appropriate for their own EAL teaching contexts or EAL contexts they are familiar with.