Emporia State University to offer new Master’s degree

The Kansas Board of Regents has given Emporia State University the go-ahead to offer a Master of Arts in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL).

ESU is the only University in the state to offer this program.

“This program is unique because it is the only one of its kind in the state. The need for this program is great,” Abdelilah S. Sehlaoui, associate professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics and Director of TESOL Teacher Education Programs said. “The rapid influx of Spanish-speaking families has created some educational challenges and opportunities, and left school districts struggling to provide effective education to a constantly growing number of students who speak English as a Second Language.”

Slated to begin in fall 2006 this program will fill a need that affects a wide variety of people. This program is a program of study that positions students for career placement in a field that will continue to grow in importance, not only in Kansas but nationally.

The program will offer 36 hours of in-depth graduate study in the areas of applied linguistics and TESOL.

 “This program also came about as a result of the three grants we received from the U.S. Dept. of Education to allow teachers to earn their certificates in English as a Second Language,” Sehlaoui said.

The department of Modern Languages and Literature was instrumental in getting this program started.

Applications for admission to the program are currently being accepted. Please contact Sehlaoui at 620-341-5237 or via email at sehlaoua@emporia.edu.

“We are meeting a need through this program. This program will prepare students to serve the increasing need for Teaching English as a Second and/or Foreign Language nationally at the college, university, and public school level as well as internationally in private and public institutions world-wide.” Sehlaoui said. “Graduates of this program will be prepared to fill many jobs both nationally and internationally.”

ESU has offered a program in English as a second language for several years and has worked directly with school districts throughout Kansas.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>