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TESOL and Bilingual Education

Overview

GSEAP offers several programs that prepare teachers to meet the needs of students in grades Pre-K through 12 who are learning a second language. These include M.A. degrees and C.A.S. (Sixth Year degrees) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Bilingual Education. Fairfield is the only university in Connecticut accredited to offer initial certification programs in both TESOL and Bilingual Education. The programs benefit from the University's location near schools with long-established bilingual and EFL programs and from U.S. Department of Education training grants. Teachers come to the program not only from the neighboring regions but also from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Greece, Portugal, Romania, and other countries.

Course of Study

Master of Arts (Initial level for those also interested in initial state certification)(M.A.; 33 credits)

To earn the Master's degree in any of the areas of concentration, students complete a total of 33 credits, including the required courses below, depending on the area of concentration, three electives, and either a comprehensive examination or a master's thesis.

  • Philosophical Foundations of Education
  • Introduction to Educational Research
  • Introduction to Educational Technology
  • Contemporary Schooling in Society
  • Principles of Bilingualism
  • Methods and Materials for Second Language Teaching OR Methods and Materials in Bilingual Programs
  • Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education
  • Testing and Assessment in Foreign Language, ESL, and Bilingual Language Programs
  • Three courses of advisor-approved electives (nine credits)
  • Pass the Comprehensive Examination or take the Thesis Option, with approval

Master of Arts (Advanced level for those already holding certification or earning the M.A. degree without certification)(M.A.; 33 credits)

To earn the Master's degree in any of the areas of concentration, students complete a total of 33 credits, including the required courses below, depending on the area of concentration, three electives, and either a comprehensive examination or a master's thesis.

  • Philosophical Foundations of Education
  • Participatory Research and Advocacy
  • Introduction to Educational Technology (or an advanced technology course depending on candidate
  • Contemporary Schooling in Society
  • Principles of Bilingualism
  • Methods and Materials for Second Language Teaching OR Methods and Materials in Bilingual Programs
  • Teaching and Learning within Multicultural Contexts of Education
  • Testing and Assessment in Foreign Language, ESL, and Bilingual Language Programs
  • Three courses of advisor-approved electives (nine credits)
  • Pass the Comprehensive Examination or take the Thesis Option, with approval


Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.; 30 credits)

C.A.S. students complete a minimum of 30 credits, including the four courses listed below, and 18 approved credits in their area of concentration.

  • Ethics for Educators
  • Theories of Learning
  • Principles of Curriculum Development and Evaluation
  • CAS Practicum in Teaching

Initial Educator Certification and Cross-Endorsement Certification

In addition to the M.A. and C.A.S. programs, the Department offers an option for college graduates with no teaching certification to gain Connecticut State certification in the field and for those with teaching certification in one area to earn an additional certification in the field. These programs are respectively, the Initial Educator Certification and Cross-Endorsement Certification. Initial Educator Certification requires 30 credits of professional education coursework for candidates whose undergraduate background is in TESOL or Bilingual Education. Those with degrees in other areas must complete 30 additional credits of bilingual education or TESOL coursework. TESOL initial certification also requires an additional 9 credits of coursework in bilingualism, a foreign language or literacy development. Cross-Endorsement Certification is open to TESOL, Bilingual, and World Language Teachers and requires 18 to 30 credits of approved coursework, depending on their background. Bilingual educators must verify fluency in English and in the second language of instruction by passing the ACTFL OPI exam in English and the OPI and WPT in the second language at the Intermediate High level.


Admissions Qualifications for Certification Program

Candidates for the initial certification program must:

  • pass the PRAXIS I test requirement or have this requirement waived based on appropriate SAT, ACT, GRE or PAA scores.
  • have completed an undergraduate program with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.67 (or receive a GPA waiver from the department-waivers are available on a case by case basis and may require supplemental undergraduate coursework to increase the undergraduate GPA and/or completion of two approved graduate education courses, depending on GPA).
  • have prerequisite coursework consisting of a minimum of 39 credits in general academic courses in five of the six following subject areas: English, natural sciences, mathematics, social studies, foreign language and the fine arts.  Generally, this undergraduate coursework is completed as part of one's liberal arts core during their bachelor's program. Additionally, a survey course in U.S. History, covering at least 50 years is required; this course may also be used to fulfill coursework requirements under the social studies areas as indicated above. Candidates without prerequisite coursework may be asked to fulfill this requirement before formal admission or before student teaching, depending on the number of missing credits. 

Student Teaching

Student teaching placements are arranged from elementary through high school levels with cooperating schools in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford and Stratford. Many of the cooperating teachers who assist in the training of student teachers are themselves graduates of Fairfield's program. One of the strengths of the program is this network of experienced teachers, newly certified teachers, and student teachers who share their knowledge and experience in local and regional meetings.

Teaching Internship Program (Paid Internship)

Two active internship programs provide outstanding opportunities for students enrolled in M.A. and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) programs in education to gain valuable experience and to defray a significant portion of their cost of study.

  • The Internship for Certified Teachers accommodates novice teachers and those re-entering the profession.
  • The Internship for Non-Certified Teachers is designed for prospective teachers, and provides them with insight into their future profession.

Both programs bring graduate students into public school settings for year-long experiences that include a range of responsibilities, from small group teaching, to substituting, to assisting tenured faculty.

In return for the intern's service, the school district deposits $12,000 with Fairfield University. This amount is banked for interns to draw upon for courses taken toward their degree or certification (Download Teaching Internship Program Application). Deadline for applying for upcoming academic year is June 15th.


Research Opportunities

Students are given every encouragement to pursue original research. M.A. candidates may do so in connection with their thesis projects. C.A.S. students complete a Practicum in Teaching, which involves applying educational research to a practical problem in classroom teaching. Examples of topics recently addressed include sheltered English strategies and practices, self-discipline in the classroom, the implementation of bilingual programs, and parental involvement.

Student Professional Organization - Phi Delta Kappa

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