School of Ed graduates four MA TESL students

In 2004, the School of Education graduated four students from the master’s degree program in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA TESL), the first to graduate since the English Language Institute joined with the School of Education in the coordination of the program in 2002.

The program, which prepares and certifies ESL teachers for the field, is the only one of its kind in Delaware.

Dean Timothy Barnekov congratulates 2004 MA TESL graduates (from left) Victoria Abdel Salam, Jack Chen, and Jianfei Chen

Receiving their MA TESL degrees in May were Jack Chen, Jianfei Chen and Victoria Abdel Salam. Ron Stefan received his degree in August.

“The rising demand for ESL teachers has made the MA TESL program one of the largest graduate programs in the School of Education,” said ELI director Dr. Scott Stevens.

Currently there are 26 students actively participating in the MA TESL program. One student expects to receive her degree by the end of 2004, and ten more are scheduled to graduate in May 2005. According to Margie Loveland, coordinator of ESL and bilingual programs for the State of Delaware, there are currently 93 certified ESL instructors teaching in the state. The need is expected to double in the near future to meet the demands of English Language Learners.

Stevens, who holds a secondary appointment as assistant professor in the School of Education, took over the coordination of the master’s degree program in the fall of 2002, following a one-year hiatus during which no new students were admitted. Stevens also teaches the Advanced TESL Methods, Design and Procedures course (EDUC 647) for the program with the help of guest instructors from the ELI faculty and staff.

“We are very pleased with the outstanding contribution that ELI has made in strengthening the MA TESL program,” said Dr. Timothy Barnekov, dean of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP), which includes both ELI and the School of Education.

“As we congratulate the 2004 graduates, we look forward to the continued growth and influence of the program in UD’s School of Education and in the field of ESL instruction.”