Teaching English as an Additional Language

The focus of the twelve-course MEd Specialist in TEAL Program is to prepare teachers for successful careers in Teaching English as an Additional Language. The MEd Specialist in TEAL Program is a practical, research-informed program designed for teachers working with students learning English as an additional language.

Program Goals:

• Identify and critically evaluate the main theories of language learning and apply these theories in understanding language learners' development and learning processes;
• Identify and describe various EAL teaching methodologies, and critically examine these methodologies for learners' interests, needs, and specific teaching contexts;
• Describe and critically examine the processes of effective EAL curricula design;
• Identify characteristics of good EAL materials development, assessment, outcomes, and tasks;
• Describe and critically examine the principles of language assessment in a variety of EAL contexts;
• Design a variety of tasks and materials to use as assessment tools in different EAL contexts;
• Explore major L2 writing theories and characteristics of L2 writers and L2 texts;
• Adapt and evaluate principles and strategies of teaching L2 writing in a variety of contexts;
• Explore and analyse the theoretical rationale for CBI course design;
• Identify and critically evaluate the merits of form-focused approaches to CBI in designing curricula;
• Analyze the critical lenses and methodologies within the field of applied linguistics and their relevance to language learning and teaching;
• Develop learning materials that incorporate insights from a subfield of applied linguistics, such as addressing pragmalinguistic and sociolinguistic failures in language use;
• Explore and evaluate current technologies supporting language learning and teaching;
• Analyse and apply sound philosophical and pedagogical rationales when designing technology-enhanced lessons for specific L2 teaching contexts.

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