Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate

A TEFL certificate may be issued alone or in conjunction with the MAT degree. Students seeking this graduate certificate must have earned a recognized baccalaureate degree and meet all of the admission and acceptance criteria as outlined in the graduate program's Academic Policies and Procedures. The grading system in the TEFL certificate program is the same as that described in the Grades section of this catalog. Students may receive the Webster University TEFL certificate by completing a minimum of 21 credit hours from the TEFL courses listed below.

Required (18 credit hours)

• COMM 5030 Historical Linguistics 3 hours
• COMM 5040 Practicum in ESOL   3 hours
• COMM 5050 Community College Reading/ABE/ESOL   3 hours
• COMM 5230 Second Language Acquisition   3 hours
• COMM 5350 Intercultural Communications    3 hours
• ILC 5140 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Methods 3 hours

Electives (3-6 credit hours)

• COMM 5311 Principles and Practices of Language Testing 3 hours
• ILC 5120 Advanced Skills: Comparative Linguistics 3 hours
• ILC 5170 Seminars: Grammar and TOEFL 3 hours
• ILC 5170 Seminars: Translating "America" (a comparative linguistics course) 3 hours
• ILC 5170 Seminars: History of the English Language 3 hours

Course Descriptions

COMM 5030 Historical Linguistics (3)

This course presents some of the various divisions in the field of linguistics from language origins and acquisition through the history of English. The study of dialect is also included. Through various readings, activities, writings, and discussion, the participants will become more aware of language and more informed about its history, its character, and its power. Students will also create instructional activities designed to make their students more aware and more proficient in the use of language.

COMM 5040 Practicum in ESOL (3)

This practicum provides supervised field experience for students who are close to finishing their professional education courses for Missouri certification in ESOL or teaching English as a foreign language. Reflective thought, observation, discussion, and actual teaching will be used to expand participants' teaching skills. Classroom participation includes observation, interaction, record keeping, and analysis of specific strengths and needs of English language learners. Strategies and activities are designed to meet the instructional needs of individual students. Participants will also focus on interpreting and recommending curriculum materials and methods to encourage and help English language learners become proficient in their new language. Prerequisite: one core TESL/TEFL course.

COMM 5050 Community College Reading/ABE/ESOL (3)

The focus is on teaching in literacy programs or community college courses designed to improve the reading skills of adults. Strategies range from teaching the adult learner to decode to facilitating growth in higher levels of comprehension and critical thinking. The emphasis will be on needs of adult learners who may have had limited encounters with reading text for information and entertainment. Course prepares instructors to work with groups in ESL/EFL reading-writing classes and tutorial sessions in colleges, universities, and community programs.

COMM 5230 Second Language Acquisition (3)

Participants explore theories and models of second language acquisition. They learn about the emotional, social, and intellectual implications of the process of learning a second language. Students will analyze and compare first and second language acquisition and apply strategies related to second language learning in a cross-cultural setting.

COMM 5350 Intercultural Communications (3)

In order to function effectively in an interdependent world, we need to get along with and understand people vastly different from ourselves. In this course, students explore the values of their own culture, the extent to which thoughts and perceptions are shaped by cultures, and the expression of cultural differences in education.

ILC 5140 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Methods (3)

This course develops understanding and appreciation for the nature of languages and language teaching and learning. Participants study the most recent developments in teaching techniques and materials, and become involved in on-site activities using them.

ILC 5120 Advanced Skills (3)

Class content varies. This topics course focuses on analytical and writing skills. It develops advanced proficiency in grammar (morphology and syntax), stylistics, composition, and/or translation. These courses are offered in French, German and Spanish and are taught in the corresponding target language. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

ILC 5170 Seminars (3)

Seminar topics vary. This course develops cultural and literary proficiency at the advanced level. Classes combine a variety of skills with focus on either historical and cultural understanding or linguistic and stylistic appreciation. Classes are taught in German, Spanish or French. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.