English as a Foreign Language

CSU, Chico's English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), and American culture programs range from a pre-baccalaureate language and culture institute through graduate seminars, an undergraduate and graduate certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), an MA degree program with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and certificate programs in the tutoring and teaching of EFL and ESL. This is a guide to two categories of foreign/second language English and American culture courses and programs:

(1) English language study for students who have lived most of their lives in a non-English-speaking country and for whom English is not their first language.

(2) Courses and programs to prepare specialists, teachers, and prospective teachers for teaching or tutoring English as a foreign/second language.

American Language and Culture Immersion

The American Language and Culture Immersion (ALCI Chico) offers intensive English language instruction and introduces American culture and higher education systems to international students. Many students who attend ALCI Chico have applied for University admission and have met all entrance requirements, with the exception of the English proficiency requirement. International students and other adults seeking to improve their English language skills for personal and professional development also attend ALCI Chico.

ALCI Chico offers international students a wide range of campus and regionally-based social, cultural and recreational activities and events. These activities are professionally designed and administered to facilitate inclusion in the University community leading to a smooth transition to the University environment and enhancing an understanding of the English language and American society. Instruction is offered year-round, in five, seven-week sessions.

English as a Foreign Language (EFL)

Designed for students whose first language is not English, EFL courses offer an integrated whole-language approach to the English language through intensive reading, writing, speaking, and listening, focusing on American culture and communicative competence as their goals. EFL classes satisfy the General Education requirement for breadth (Area C2) and enable students to improve their facility with the English language, giving them an opportunity to perform more effectively in content area classes.

MA in Teaching International Languages

The MA in Teaching International Languages is a program for graduate students interested in the effective teaching and learning of international languages. This 36-unit interdisciplinary degree, housed in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, offers a combination of studies in linguistics, language, literacy, culture, and foreign/second language education. Students specialize in one of two areas: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or Foreign Languages. The program is designed to prepare knowledgeable, reflective, inquiry-oriented professionals for a broad spectrum of cultural contexts and instructional settings in the U.S. and abroad. Students may complete the Graduate TESOL Certificate Program concurrently.

Required courses and electives in Education, English and Foreign Languages and Literatures are combined to provide the theoretical and practical basis essential for foreign language teachers, foreign/second language college and university instructors, and other professionals teaching world languages. Candidates served by this degree represent different languages, cultures and nationalities. See International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in this catalog for more information.

Graduate TESOL Certificate Program
(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

This 18-unit graduate program is offered by the School of Education for K-12 teachers, college and university instructors, and other professionals teaching English to speakers of other languages as an integral part of a world-class education. Graduate TESOL Certificates are recognized around the world as advanced level professional preparation in the field, and there is a global demand for certified instructors and teachers. Courses focus on pedagogical knowledge and its application to teaching English to speakers of other languages within a broad spectrum of cultural contexts and instructional settings in the United States and abroad. The emphasis is on ESL/EFL instruction that is contextualized, standards- and performance-based. Coursework and experiences address what language learners are expected to know, what they should be able to do, and how well they should be able to do so. The six courses can be completed in two or three semesters, depending on the number of courses taken each semester. The certificate is aligned with the MA in Teaching International Languages and encompasses half of the coursework.

Graduate Certificate Program in Teaching College-level Writing

This graduate certificate program offered by the Department of English is for teachers and prospective teachers of high school and college writing. In addition to general preparation in linguistics and composition theory, and to practicums in tutoring and teaching college-level basic writings, it offers the option of specialized course work and practicums in ESL tutoring and teaching. The program aims to educate prospective teachers of college-level basic writing by exploring recent theories of composition, including approaches that consider the effect of cultural difference on writing.

Courses in Tutoring/Teaching EFL/ESL

Courses in tutoring and teaching English as a foreign or second language are listed in Courses and Programs For Students of English as a Foreign/Second Language and described fully in the English and International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in this catalog.

Faculty

All EFL and ESL programs are taught by faculty with teaching and research specialties in foreign/second language teaching or with expertise in language acquisition.

Career Outlook

The need for EFL and ESL teachers and tutors continues to grow as the population in California and the nation becomes more linguistically diverse and as the demand for EFL teachers abroad increases. Professional-level positions usually require special career preparation, a certificate, and/or a master's degree.