Professor: Y. El Ezabi (Chair)

Associate Professors: G. Ioup, R. Gibson, F. Perry, P. Stevens

The graduate programs in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) are designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of teachers, researchers, and administrators in the profession. These programs attract an international student body and combine rigorous academic standards with an appropriate balance between theory and practice.

Admission

Applicants for the Master of Arts degree in TEFL must have teaching experience prior to admission into the program, or may acquire this experience concurrent with the program.

Language

Applicants who are not native speakers of English will be required to demonstrate on the ELPET (AUC English Language Proficiency Entrance Test) or TOEFL with TWE that their command of English is adequate for study in the program.

In choosing electives, students in the thesis track, with assistance of their academic advisors, are to choose at least one course from at least two of the groups listed below.

1. Education and research: TEFL 502, 507, 540, 570 (for students in the comprehensives track)

2. Linguistics: TEFL 505, 521, 540, 550

3. Cross-linguistic, cross-cultural studies: TEFL 525, 540, 550, 553

In the case of TEFL 540 Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics, the course topic must relate to the general category.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of a written examination followed by an oral examination. It is required only of students not writing theses, and may not be taken more than twice.

Thesis

The thesis as a requirement for graduation is optional. The student who chooses to write a thesis must produce a professional paper on some aspect of TEFL/applied linguistics. The thesis must be prepared under the guidance and close supervision of a faculty adviser and a designated committee, and must be defended to the satisfaction of the department.