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Proposal for a new Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Education
Academic Unit: Department of Teaching and Learning
Advisor: David Cassels Johnson
Certificate Program
Effective Session: Fall 2015
Declarable in ISIS: No
CIP Code: 13.1401
i. Purpose of the certificate
We are submitting a plan for a new graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign
Language (TEFL). Our plan has been developed by the Foreign Language/ESL Education
program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education (COE) and it has
been approved by the DEO of Teaching and Learning and the Dean of the COE (support letters
attached). The Foreign Language/ESL program offers a PhD, MA, MIT, foreign language
teacher licensure, and an English as a second language (ESL) endorsement. However, we do not
currently offer a TEFL certificate. The proposed certificate is unique because: (1) It is planned
to be taught entirely on-line; (2) It is directed at students outside the U.S.; and (3) It is a graduate
certificate credential. Our goal is to begin teaching students by fall 2015.
There is a growing desire for online certificate programs in English language teaching (see letter
of support from Lynell Chvala). This TEFL Certificate is intended for overseas English teachers
and administrators who are not able to enroll in face-to-face classes at the University of Iowa.
The certificate gives them the opportunity to take rigorous graduate-level courses from the
University of Iowa and gives them an advantage when seeking and retaining positions in English
language teaching and administration.
Furthermore, this initiative fits into the College of Education’s strategic plan and commitment to
internationalization and distance education. For spring 2014, ISIS lists fifty-three courses
designated as Web/Online (EX) courses. These represent both synchronous and asynchronous
courses in a diversity of learning environments, utilizing diverse technologies.
Research suggests that demand for online courses is growing, including certificate programs
(Babson Survey Research Group, 2013) and this is certainly true outside the United States.
Educational language policies around the world increasingly promote the English language,
especially English language learning in K-12 contexts. English is the de jure official language in
58 countries even though the vast majority of these countries do not use English as a primary
language in business and governmental functions. In fact, this list includes only four countries
(Jamaica, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada) in which English is the primary first language for
most citizens. The remarkable fact is that, in most of these countries where English has official
status, the majority of citizens do not use English on a daily basis and, therefore, these policies
represent a desire for citizens to be English proficient. Additionally, this demand extends well
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beyond those countries in which English is an official or national language and, notably,
countries not on the list – like China, Taiwan, Norway, Korea, Finland, and India – have adopted
language policies that promote English language learning in K-12 contexts. The TEFL
Certificate is designed in order to prepare teachers and administrators to meet these demands for
high quality English language instruction and administration in non-U.S. schools.
ii. Present need for the certificate
As nations around the world increasingly adopt English-focused policies and educational
programs, there is high demand in all corners of the globe for a credential in English language
teaching. This is an opportunity for the University of Iowa to be a leader in the field of English
language teaching; an opportunity for the College of Education to increase its international
visibility; and an opportunity to attract a larger pool of applicants to our graduate programs.
Establishing the need for this program involved discussions with colleagues and partners at
institutions outside the United States, who expressed a desire for such a credential. The
credential will expand the career options for English language professionals in international
contexts. For both teachers and administrators, the TEFL certificate will help improve English
language programs, policies, and pedagogical practices.
While there are certainly individual economic benefits for acquiring English in certain parts of
the world (Grin & Arcand, 2013), the spread of English tends to privilege some individuals – i.e.
those in English speaking countries, those with more access, etc. – more than others. Therefore,
the TEFL Certificate will offer insight into the impact of English language spread by taking into
consideration the socioeconomic and sociopolitical ramifications of language contact and spread.
This is essential for the University of Iowa in general, and the College of Education in particular,
as we seek to increase our international impact, which involves increasing global citizenship and
promoting equal educational opportunity. In other words, not only is it important to train students
to be effective English teachers and administrators, we want to promote ethical teaching and
leadership in English language education. In this way, the University of Iowa can become a
world leader in ethically expanding English language programs around the world.
The proposed certificate will involve 12 hours of course work, all of which will be transferrable
to our other graduate programs in Foreign Language/ESL Education. Therefore, this certificate
will respond to the ongoing need for strong candidates for our graduate programs. Not only will
the certificate be valuable for the candidates seeking jobs as English language professionals
abroad, it will increase the possibility that they may attend the University of Iowa in the future,
in either on-line or face-to-face coursework.
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iii. Description of program
Comparison with other universities
We have researched other English language teaching certificate programs across the United
States, discussed program options with our colleagues at Iowa State and the University of
Northern Iowa (UNI), and designed the program of study with this knowledge in mind. Within
Iowa, Iowa State University has a graduate-level TESL/TEFL Certificate that is offered both on-
campus and online. Students seeking this certificate are trained to work with adult English
language learners who are not enrolled in K-12 schools. The certificate we propose will prepare
students to work in English language education either within or outside of K-12 contexts.
UNI has an online MA in TESOL, similar to the MA in Linguistics with a TESL focus, offered
by department of Linguistics at the University of Iowa. These programs are primarily designed to
train students to work with older learners, outside of K-12 contexts, and both are face-to-face.
The proposed TEFL certificate is designed for students who are working (or plan to be working)
in elementary and secondary educational contexts.
UNI also offers a K-12 ESL Endorsement in the state of Iowa. Our College of Education also
offers an endorsement in K-12 ESL, although it is not online. These endorsements are
completely different from what we are proposing for this certificate because they are
requirements for teacher education and are designed for teacher education students who will
teach in elementary and secondary settings in the U.S.
In summary, there is no similar program offered at another Iowa Regent’s University. In fact,
Penn State is the only one other Big 10 institution that has a completely online TEFL certificate.
Courses
The TEFL Certificate is organized around one-year cohorts who begin in the fall and complete
their course-work in the spring. Four eight-week courses (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2)
ensure timely completion of the certificate, which is a highly desirable feature for students who
are often working professionals. Course delivery will be asynchronous, meaning the classes will
not have a designated “meeting time” and will rely on pre-recorded lectures, powerpoint
presentations, Voicethread (oral discussion board), virtual office hours, and a video blog.
Students will upload completed assignments to the ICON course space.
While students will work at their own pace, courses will be structured such that the hours needed
for successful completion will mimic face-to-face contact hours (in-class) for courses attended
on campus. An on-campus 3 semester hour course requires 37.5 contact hours. TEFL Certificate
students will therefore be required to participate in their online courses for about 280 minutes
per week (4 hours, 40 minutes), over the course of 8 weeks, thus approximating face-to-face
contact hours as closely as possible. This is a formula for instructional contact hours. The
completion of homework and assignments is extra, and not factored into the contact hours
formula.
The TEFL Certificate is organized around four competencies in foreign language teaching:
theory, curriculum, assessment, and methodology, which align with the four courses required for
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the certificate: (1) theoretical, conceptual, and sociopolitical foundations in second language
learning and teaching; (2) language education program design; (3) fundamentals of second
language assessment; and (4) English language teaching methods and ethics. These are
intentionally scheduled in this order as each course builds on the previous. Three of the four
courses are currently taught on campus; however, the online versions will be developed with a
TEFL audience in mind, giving attention to the issues of teaching English internationally, rather
than in the US.
(1) The first course students will take is EDTL 6483: Second Language Learning and
Teaching. This course will introduce students to research in language teaching and
learning, drawing upon theories and research in diverse disciplines including linguistics,
education, psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Students will gain an understanding
of the fundamentals in second language acquisition, educational linguistics, applied
linguistics, and methods used in teaching and learning second/foreign languages. This
three semester hour credit course will be offered every Fall 1 and will be taught by faculty
and instructors in the Foreign Language/ESL Education program, including David
Cassels Johnson.
(2) The second course students will take is EDTL 6497: Principles of Course Design for
Second Language Instruction. This course focuses on contemporary views of foreign
language curriculum design and guidelines necessary for the creation of prototypical
curriculum units to be transposed into classroom-ready forms. It is for individuals
interested in foreign language materials development. This three semester hour credit
course will be offered every Fall 2 and will be taught by faculty and instructors in the
Foreign Language/ESL Education program, including Leslie Schrier.
(3) The third course students will take is EDTL6400 Fundamentals of Second Language
Assessment. The purpose of this class is to help students understand the fundamental
concepts, principles, processes, and dilemmas of language assessment; to develop the
ability to plan, construct, and interpret results of language tests; and to recognize the
synergy between language assessment and program evaluation. This course will be
offered in the Spring 1 semester and will be taught by Lia Plakans and instructors in the
Foreign Language/ESL Education program.
(4) The fourth course students will take will be a new course in TEFL methods. This will
be similar to a course, already in existence – EDTL 4467 Methods: Teaching ESL in K-12
Settings but will focus on EFL in K-12 contexts overseas*. This course will explore
approaches, methods, and practices in teaching English as a foreign language in K-12
school settings. The focus is on communicative and content-based approaches to language
learning with practical application of theory and research. Ethical issues concerning
linguistically diverse learners will be covered with pedagogical implications. Students
will develop skills in teaching approaches for English Language Learners (ELLs), which
include: lesson and unit planning, materials evaluation and adaptation, and assessment for
placement, diagnosis, exit, and evaluation of ELLs.
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*The distinction between English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language
(EFL) rests on where English is being taught. When taught in an English-dominant country, like
the U.S., classes are typically described as ESL. When taught in countries where English is not a
dominant language, like China, they tend to be called EFL. These distinctions are the subject of
intense debate, naturally.
Course Credit The TEFL Certificate will be comprised of twelve semester credit hours. After the twelve hours:
1. Students will attain theoretical and pedagogical competencies in Teaching English as
a Foreign Language. For further study, they can pursue a variety of University of
Iowa programs, including the M.A. or Ph.D. in Foreign Language/ESL Education
(sponsored by the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of
Education), the MA in Linguistics with a TESL focus (sponsored by the department
of Linguistics), and the PhD in Second Language Acquisition (sponsored by the
Foreign Language Acquisition Research and Education program).
2. The financial and time commitment for twelve hours for a certificate of this type is
reasonable.
3. The required credit hours are comparable to other similar programs. Within the Big
10, certificate programs range from 12-18 credit hours. Along with Penn State and
Indiana University, keeping the credit hours at 12 helps ensure that our program will
be attractive for students.
Admission, Tuition, Advising
The certificate is available to both degree and non-degree seeking graduate students. Students
will be enrolled in the Graduate College and assessed tuition and fees based on this admission
status. Students will be allowed to transfer the twelve credit hours to graduate programs at the
University of Iowa.
Student advising will be handled centrally by one faculty member. The coordinator of the TEFL
certificate, Dr. David Cassels Johnson, will manage student advising.
Admission is contingent upon: (1) an undergraduate college degree, with a minimum 2.5 GPA
for non-degree students (certificate-only) students and (2) a minimum TOEFL score of 81.
iv. Comparison with standards established by a regional accrediting association
The professional organization for English language teachers, TESOL International Association,
has published standards for PreK-12 ESL Teacher Education (TESOL, 2010) in conjunction with
NCATE. These Standards informed the development of the Certificate Program. The courses
will align with, instruct, and evaluate students in the domains of the Standards. There are five
major domains for language teacher education:
1. Language acquisition and language as a system
2. Culture as it affects student learning
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3. Planning, implementing and using technology/resource for teaching ESL and content
instruction.
4. Classroom based and language proficiency assessment
5. Professional development, history, partnerships and advocacy in ESL.
The table below illustrates the alignment between the TEFL Certificate Program coursework and
the Standards. Most domains will be addressed in more than one course to allow cohesive and
recursive learning of these domain areas:
TEFL Certificate course TESOL P-12 ESL Teacher Education Standard Domain*
EDTL 6483: Second
Language Learning and
Teaching
1. Language acquisition and language as a system
2. Culture as it affects student learning
5. Professional development, history, partnerships and
advocacy in ESL
EDTL 6497: Principles
of Course Design for
Second Language
Instruction
1. Language acquisition and language as a system
3. Planning, implementing and using technology/resources
for teaching *ESL and content instruction.
EDTL 6400:
Fundamentals of Second
Language Assessment
1. Language acquisition and language as a system
4. Classroom based and language proficiency assessment
EFL Methods in K-12
Settings
3. Planning, implementing and using technology/resource for
teaching ESL and content instruction.
2. Culture as it affects student learning
5. Professional development, history, partnerships and
advocacy in ESL**
*We should note that TESOL developed these Standards for teaching English as a second
language context, not English as a foreign language. For non-English speaking contexts, TESOL
developed a book with guidelines on developing Standards in EFL with the understanding that
the differences between EFL and ESL are wide enough that countries adopting the K-12 ESL
Teacher Education Standards should proceed to revise or rewrite them to fit their context.
**In the TESOL Standard this refers to teachers as advocates for these students, their families,
and the diversity they bring in an English dominant setting. In an EFL setting this Standard
might include advocacy for local languages to maintain linguistic diversity and understanding the
implications of English language spread.
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Reference cited
TESOL International Association. (2010). TESOL P-12 professional teaching standards (2nd
ed.). Alexandria, VA. TESOL International Association. (2014). TESOL Guidelines for developing EFL teacher
professional standards. Alexandria, VA. v. Analysis of the implications of the proposed program for undergraduate work and
other closely allied programs in the University
This is a graduate-level certificate. The Linguistics department offers an MA in Linguistics with
a TESL focus; however, that program focuses on adults, not K-12 education. We have met with
faculty in the Linguistics Department and they are supportive. They suggested that their students
might have an interest in the certificate since many of their students have an interest in teaching
overseas. If indeed enough interest is generated, we would be happy to accommodate these
students. This represents an exciting opportunity for collaboration between the College of
Education and the Department of Linguistics.
Most of the Foreign Language/ESL faculty are affiliate faculty in the Foreign Language
Acquisition Research and Education (FLARE) program. This interdisciplinary program sponsors
a PhD in Second Language Acquisition. When graduates of the TEFL certificate consider further
graduate studies in the United States, this is one of the programs that would be of interest.
Students who enroll in the TEFL Certificate program might become interested in the MA in
Linguistics with a TESL focus, the FLARE Ph.D. program in Second Language Acquisition, as
well as the MA and PhD programs in Foreign Language/ESL.
vi. Faculty and Resources
The following is a list of primary faculty available for the proposed program, all of which have
been cleared to participate (see the letter of support from John Hosp, DEO).
Primary Faculty
David Cassels Johnson (coordinator)
Lia Plakans
Pamela Wesley
Leslie Schrier
Resources
This certificate fits into the College of Education’s strategic plan and considerable commitments
to online education and online degrees. The College of Education offers many online courses
(Spring 2014 ISIS lists 53), demonstrating its commitment to online education and its significant
expertise in this area. The College of Education is well-equipped with the necessary technology
to offer this certificate. We have five classrooms with online audio and video technologies.
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The Division of Continuing Education has expressed its enthusiastic support of our TEFL
certificate and we are working with Anne Zalenski and her colleagues to design the online course
spaces. Their technological expertise and innovations in online course design will be an
invaluable resource for designing and delivering courses for the TEFL certificate.
vii. Statement of additional needed budget support
All faculty to be involved in this program already have an appointment in the College of
Education. The DEO has committed financial support for a TA to assist in development (see
letter of support from John Hosp). The college and department already have the capacity to
support this certificate and it can easily be absorbed into the current infrastructure. David Cassels
Johnson has agreed to be the coordinator of the program.
viii. Assessment of future needs, commitments, and opportunities
We envision this as a certificate with a modest cohort size. Our goal is to recruit 5-15 students in
the first year, with a maximum cohort of 25 for each year thereafter. The Office of Student
Services, within the College of Education, will handle the admissions process, although the
primary faculty will make decisions about who gets admitted. The Office of Students Services
has staff to handle incoming student applications and questions about the application process.
The coordinator of the program, David Cassels Johnson, will also help steer students in the right
direction.
As mentioned, the Division of Continuing Education has committed to assisting with
technological innovation and implementation. Within the College of Education, we also have an
in-house Education Technology Center (ETC), which offers technical support and can assist with
online presence, including website development to advertise the credential. The Office of
Strategic Communications can assist with student recruitment and strategic communications for
the TEFL Certificate. Both offices are integral to, and have experience with, the college-wide
initiatives for technological innovation in university courses and internationalization.
While the administrative structure and personnel are already in place, and the department is well
equipped to offer this certificate as currently envisioned (see support letter from DEO, John
Hosp), there is a possibility that the certificate will be expanded in the future. The online TEFL
Certificate reflects the vision of the College of Education, and the University of Iowa, for
increasing online education opportunities and international collaboration. This certificate could
serve as a model for other program areas around the university who seek to extend their online
presence and/or international impact.
January 5, 2015 Dean John Keller Graduate College 201G Gilmore Hall Dear Dean Keller: I am happy to write in support of the proposal being put forward by the Program in Foreign Language/ESL Education of the Department of Teaching and Learning to establish a Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Education. I write as both Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the College of Education, and as Professor in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies. I support this proposal in both capacities. The program faculty have convincingly demonstrated a clear and long-term demand for the Certificate. The overseas demand for instruction in English is already large and gives every indication of increasing in the coming years. This Certificate promises to be sustainable for a long time. The proposal offers a clear and coherent plan for the Certificate. Resources are fully adequate. Four experienced tenure-track faculty have committed to the success of the Certificate. The sequence of courses has been carefully planned. The Certificate has the support of the University of Iowa Department of Linguistics. The Program in Foreign Language/ESL Education has been conscientious about making the Certificate conform to external standards. This Certificate gives the College of Education and the University of Iowa the opportunity to exert some important leadership that will have a broad and deep impact. There is a clearly demonstrated demand for the Certificate, faculty commitment is high, and the level of risk would appear to be extremely low. I endorse this enthusiastically. Sincerely,
David Bills Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Programs College of Education
November 17, 2014
John Keller, Dean Graduate College 201 GILH
Dear John:
I am writing to endorse the proposed graduate Online Certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language being submitted by the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education. This Certificate addresses an area of critical need globally and will support the university’s mission in international education. As the proposal explains, English has become a globally recognized language and is a required component of education in many countries. I frequently have requests for teachers and training in English language when I meet colleagues in other countries during my visits abroad. The Online TEFL Certificate would prepare teachers for elementary and secondary English-language teaching positions in countries outside the native English-speaking realm, providing specialized coursework in areas of strength at the UI. In addition to serving the global community, the TEFL Certificate would potentially bring in strong international students. Students enrolled would be earning credit that could transfer to graduate degrees. The faculty teaching the courses would have a chance to interact and evaluate the performances of online students over four courses, which could provide valuable insight for vetting strong candidates for our on-campus graduate programs such as Foreign Language/ESL Education, Linguistics, and FLARE. The proposal builds on strengths in the College of Education and the University of Iowa. Indeed, with this proposal and other initiatives, the College of Education has taken the lead in innovative curricula that meet needs worldwide, and has built on the international reputation of the UI in the field. I am confident that the coursework will provide future teachers with knowledge and skills to teach English in settings around the world. It is for these reasons that I support the proposed certificate enthusiastically and without reservation.
Dear Dean Keller: I am writing this letter in support of the proposed online certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This program would fill several needs. First, as the College of Education is expanding its online program offerings, the TEFL certificate program would represent a strong foray into this area. As designed, it is an innovative approach to expand our offerings from face-to-face to online opportunity. Once implemented, I envision this online certificate program having implications for innovative work in our on campus programs in Foreign Language/English as a Second Language (FL/ESL). Second, there is great demand for this program. In the past 18 months alone, we have had contact with universities or other institutions in China, Norway, Indonesia, and India interested in this type of program. It would fit in well with the University and College’s plans to develop international relations—including those in China with Hebei Normal University in Iowa’s sister state of Hebei province. There is great support for the TEFL certificate within the department. Our faculty members from other programs in the department recognize the importance and the opportunity present. FL/ESL is one of our strongest areas in the department and the faculty members have shown a commitment to this work. I am committed to supporting FL/ESL in this endeavor. If approved, I have committed a quarter-time graduate assistant to support the development of the programs. This is in addition to the other infrastructure present for development of online instruction available in the college and university. Similar to our online Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) program, instruction of courses will be a mixture of tenure-track faculty and advanced doctoral students and lecturers balancing the needs of the on campus and online certificate programs to ensure that we provide the highest quality instruction for all. If you have any questions or wish to discuss the proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, John L. Hosp, PhD NCSP Professor and Chair
Monday, December 8, 2014 University of Iowa Leslie Schrier, PhD N244 Lindquist Center Department of Teaching and Learning Iowa City, IA 52242 Dr. Schrier: I am delighted to write this letter in support of the proposed on-line Certificate in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program at the University of Iowa. The program will likely attract a broad base of candidates, including local, national, and international students, and will benefit from the Department of Teaching and Learning’s excellent reputation in foreign language education. In my position as dean of a school of education and board member of an international academic society, I see many potential enrollment sectors for such a program. These include undergraduate and graduate students seeking teaching positions abroad and those seeking work in schools and in higher education serving English language learners and international student populations. Additionally, such a program may be attractive to students residing abroad who seek a certificate from a reputable institution. Finally, the certificate may serve as a gateway program for students who wish to pursue further graduate studies at Iowa. I look forward to the commencement of the Certificate in EFL program and to directing potential students to this program. Sincerely,
John L. Watzke, Ph.D. Dean and Professor School of Education CEO, International Society for Language Studies
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 5000 North Willamette Blvd. Portland, OR 97203-5798
T 503.943.7135 F 503.943.8042
www.up.edu
November 28, 2014 John Keller, Associate Provost and Dean Graduate College 201 GILH Dear Dean Keller: With this letter I am endorsing the proposed graduate Online Certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, which is being submitted by the Department of Teaching and Learning, and the Foreign Language and ESL program that I direct. My colleague David C. Johnson has created this certificate to answer a need from current Iowa students, alumni, and others who wish to be prepared to teach English abroad. I have kept track of the frequency of requests from current Iowa students as well as graduates who are interested to knowing about how to teach their native language in a country that is not English speaking. The requests have doubled in the last two years, so much so, that I have a prepared email message at the ready to answer the question-‐“do you have coursework that I can take so I can teach English in XXX” (fill in the blank country). The reason for this interest lies in our economic situation. For many recent graduates in the humanities, working abroad is becoming a more secure option than searching for a job in the United States. Most teaching programs in other countries will provide teachers with a salary and health insurance, and some programs in Asia will even provide free housing. Additionally, many recent college graduates are searching for alternatives to jumping into the job market in the face of the recession. An increasing number of recent graduates are searching for paid positions teaching English in countries like South Korea, Japan, China and Spain as a means to expand their horizons and weather the economic doldrums. A more concrete example of the above, is that we will be welcoming 3 new graduate students to our program in January. These students have returned to the United States, specifically to Iowa, after working abroad for several years. All of them used an online program from England to obtain a graduate certificate in EFT teaching before leaving for positions in Spain, Germany, and Japan. Unfortunately for them, the coursework they took online-‐ will not transfer to our programs. The latter issue is something we wish to erase by having control of the quality of our on-‐line offerings and how they mesh with our graduate programs. The proposed graduate online certificate would ease this transition and even create an interest in our graduate programs once these students return to the United States.
I support the proposed certificate with great enthusiasm and will gladly answer any questions that you have in relation to its execution. Sincerely,
Leslie L. Schrier, Associate Professor Area Chair, Foreign Language and ESL Education