Masters of Education: English Learner

The curriculum of our M.Ed. in English Learner is designed to immediately improve the professional competencies of our learners. Principles learned in the earlier courses are often built upon in later courses.

English Learner Courses

EDU 550C Curriculum: Design and Practice (3)
An exploration of the content that revolves around the development of the curriculum, this course includes curriculum analyses, models, alignment, and evaluation.

EDU 551C Psychological Foundations of Learning (3)
Addresses developmental stages within the context of major learning theories. The psychology of learning includes motivation, humor, strategic learning, anchored instruction, mediated learning, metacognition, brain research, classroom organization, management, climate, and communication for effective teaching.

EDU 568C Legal, Ethical and Diversity Issues in Education (3)
Students will be challenged to examine the facts, delve into the causes, and reflect on the impact of various legal, ethical and diversity issues faced by today's educators. Identifying and addressing legal and ethical responsibilities of teachers for their students will be central to this course. The impact of the U.S. Constitution with a focus on the Bill of Rights will be a significant part of the class discourse. Constitutional influences in the context of the religious, moral and ethical responsibilities in school decision-making will be explored. The implications of major court decisions, local, state and national (NCLB) laws and policies that directly impact schools, teachers, students and parents will be an essential component of the class dialogue. Another major component of this class will involve an exploration of the various diversity issues that are an inherent part of school life, i.e. religion, culture, ethnicity, and special needs.

ELL 6000 Language Acquisition and Learning (3)
Explores the accepted theories of language learning and acquisition. The distinction is made between learning and acquisition as it relates to efficient language application and use. Distinctions are also made between communicative language learning and academic language learning and the instructional supports required for each. This is an applied theory course with significant reading and which provides a theoretical framework for the remainder of the course work in this major. Understanding how language is learned and acquired is fundamental to language instruction. The importance of socialization in the target language with transitional supports in the mother tongue is also explored.

ELL 6010 Trends, Models, and Methods in ELL Instruction (3)
Examines the currently used models of ELL instruction from a variety of school boards and regions. These models are examined in light of language learning theory. Models of integration, inclusion and other models of differentiated instruction are examined and students are expected to not only understand the differences but to also understand the implications for effective language learning.

ELL 6020 Authentic Language Curriculum Design (3)
Considers the principles of curriculum design as they relate to language learning within an authentic learning environment. Rather than creating inaccurate learning environments with controlled language input, this course explores the efficiency of maximizing comprehensible input in order to produce comprehensible output. Contextualization of language application and use are central to this course and students will be expected to design actual curriculum units within an authentic language context. Integrated approaches to grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing are examined and used by students to design their own authentic language course.

ELL 6030 Culture (3)
Focuses on the relationship between culture and language, both oral and written, and examines the importance of identifying key cultural traits of ELL students' home culture for instructional scaffolding. Affirmation of home culture as well as multicultural issues such as integration, acculturation and assimilation are examined as they pertain to ELL teaching and learning. This is a research course.

ELL 6040 Methods of Assessment and Evaluation for ELL (3)
Language proficiency assessment for placing is not the same as evaluation of language demonstration and use. This course examines the differences between the two and combines methods with outcomes evaluation. Assessment for "placement" is compared with evaluation of outcomes. Placement is also examined in light of authentic language learning within a school setting. Students are expected to understand the various methods as well as produce samples of assessment and evaluation strategies.

ELL 6050 Technology and Language Learning (3)
Examines the importance of instructional scaffolding for ELL learners and looks at how new technology can facilitate this approach. Students experience various methods using new technology such as the Internet for instruction and various forms of distance education for language learners. This course provides access to new software, online resources, and synchronous and asynchronous methods in technology mediation. Language practice through mixed media input is demonstrated as well as the role of rote practice for pronunciation.

ELL 6055 Linguistics for Teachers of ELL (3)
A descriptive linguistics course which focuses on understanding phonologic, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic aspects of language as they apply to an understanding of any ELL student's native language. Language transfer issues for ELL students are examined in both the oral and written domains to provide appropriate instructional scaffolding. The course also considers the significance of sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic aspects of language learning. This is a research course.

ELL 6600 E-Portfolio (0)
The e-portfolio, a web-based electronic tool provided to students at the beginning of the program, is considered a work in progress throughout the graduate library program. This web-based electronic tool provides the student powerful resources for reflecting, synthesizing, and evaluating course experiences during the duration of the program. Students are provided a course syllabus and framework for completing the e-portfolio. This e-portfolio will be presented during the final semester of the program and is required for graduation. A pass/fail grading system will be used.

Courses for Endorsement

ELL 6005 Language Acquisition and Authentic Language Curriculum (3)
Includes theories of language learning and acquisition. Distinction is made between learning and acquisition as it relates to efficient language application and use. Considers curriculum design in relation to language learning within an authentic learning environment. Curriculum will be designed within authentic language context integrating grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing. Integrates cultural understanding and the use of technology for learning.