Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED:

Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language/Language Studies
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Root Hall A-137
Phone: 812-237–2366
Fax: 812-237-2368
E-mail: isu@indstate.edu
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/lll

Department Chairperson: Dr. Ann Rider

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors

Nelson, Cecil, L., Ph.D., University of Illinois
Professor of Linguistics
Specializations: Linguistics, Teaching English as a Second Language

Yousif, Keri, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Professor of French
Specialization: French

Associate Professors

Calvin, Lisa, Ph.D., Indiana University
Associate Professor of Spanish and Language Pedagogy
Specializations: Spanish, Language Pedagogy

D’Amico, Melanie L., Ph.D., University of Florida
Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics
Specializations: Spanish, Linguistics

Rider, N. Ann, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Department Chairperson and Associate Professor of German and Women’s Studies
Specialization: German

Assistant Professors

Bakos, Jon, Ph.D. Oklahoma State University
Assistant Professor of TESL/Linguistics
Specializations: Linguistics, Teaching English as a Second Language

Hanson, Cody, Ph.D. Purdue University
Assistant Professor of Spanish
Specialization: Spanish, Latin American Literature

José, Brian, Ph.D. Indiana University
Assistant Professor of Linguistics
Specialization: Linguistics

Sterling, Scott, Ph.D. Michigan State University
Assistant Professor of TESL/Linguistics
Specialization: Linguistics, Teaching English as a Second Language

GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics offers a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English and a Second Language (TESL) and Language Studies. This program requires 32 credits of graduate-level work, and students may choose to take most of their course work in linguistics, Spanish, TESL, or a combination of areas. The culminating experience consists of a comprehensive examination of content knowledge, academic writing, and presentation/teaching skills.

The department also offers a 12-credit graduate certificate in teaching English as a second language/teaching English as a foreign language. This certificate is not a degree program, nor does it confer an Initial Indiana Teaching License on its recipients. Certificate (in TEFL or TESL) is an internationally recognized term, and many employers in other countries require a certificate of teachers who do not hold a master’s degree.

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics cooperates with the Bayh College of Education in the delivery of two programs:  The Bayh College of Education offers a Transition-to-Teaching Program, which gives language students the opportunity to obtain Initial Teacher Licensure at the post-baccalaureate level.  In addition, the Bayh College of Education offers a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in language education for students specializing in the research and practice of second language teaching and teacher education. Applicants for admission to the Transition-to-Teaching Program or the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Curriculum and Instruction with Concentration in Language Education should see the Bayh College of Education section of the Catalog for a description of the admission requirements for the program.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

The curriculum in linguistics/teaching English as a second language is designed to allow students to create a program of course work with an applied linguistic focus such as teaching English as a second language or work in a combination of Spanish and applied linguistics. The program is designed to meet the needs of those expecting to terminate their graduate work with the master’s degree as well as those intending to pursue further advanced work.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting all requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, a prospective master’s student in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics must submit the following to the department: a resume including academic and work experience; a statement of purpose explaining why he/she is interested in pursuing graduate work in the department; and three letters of recommendation from former professors, if possible, or employers who can comment on the likelihood of the student’s success in the proposed program of graduate study. Please note, international students whose first language is not English must also meet the English language proficiency requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Those seeking the graduate certificate in TESL/TEFL must meet all of the requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

If the student’s preparation seems unsatisfactory his or her application may be rejected or he or she may be asked to take additional undergraduate courses or be given an examination to test his or her competence in the area.

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