- Linguistics Department
- Programs
- Non-Degree Programs
Linguistics Department
Human Health Building, Room 1024
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester,
MI
48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2175
Fax: (248) 370-3144

Non-Degree Programs
Cert Prog (24)
Relationship to the Master of Arts in Linguistics
All courses listed under the requirements for the TESL Endorsement can be applied toward the Master of Arts degree in Linguistics with a K12 Graduate TESL Certificate. It is anticipated that a graduate of the K12 Graduate TESL Certificate program who has all the prerequisites for the Master of Arts in linguistics can apply for admission to that program and complete the additional 16 credits needed for that degree in approximately four semesters as a part-time student or two semesters as a full-time student. The courses that make up the 16 credits of additional work for the M.A. degree are:
- LIN 5503 - Introduction to Phonology (4 credits)
- LIN 5504 - Introduction to Syntax (4 credits)
- LIN 5505 - Phonetic Theory (4 credits)
- LIN 6998 - Seminar in Linguistics (4 credits)
or
- LIN 6999 - The Master’s Thesis (4 credits)
For students completing the K12 Graduate TESL Certificate program who have less than a 3.0 grade-point average in courses taken in that program, and who wish to apply for admission to the M.A. program, the Department of Linguistics will consider their applications on an individual basis.
All of the credits are subject to the six-year time limit.
The Department of Linguistics offers a K12 TESL Certificate Program that leads to an (NS) K12 Endorsement by the Michigan Department of Education for teachers holding a Michigan teaching license. The program consists of 24 credits that can be completed in four to six terms.
- 24-credit planned program which teachers can use to receive their professional K12 endorsement in TESL
- entire program can be completed in 4 terms-- fall, winter, spring (shortened term), summer (July only) or spread over 6 terms-- fall, winter, spring (shortened term), summer (July only), winter
- winter (2 four credit courses - 4 credits are offered online) and spring courses (3 two credit courses all offered online)
- all courses (with the exception of LIN 5501) can be applied toward the M.A. in Linguistics at Oakland University
Please note that the Michigan Department of Education requires the following of candidates that are working toward their K12 ESL endorsement:
- Completion of a core content area program in conjunction with or prior to adding the ESL endorsement
- Candidates must have completed a core content program in Elementary Education, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, or Mathematics as a base for the ESL endorsement
- Students must demonstrate English language proficiency by meeting Oakland University's English language proficiency requirement upon registration for the program
- Students must also have documented experience learning a second language equivalent to two semesters’ worth of college-level study in order to gain an understanding and appreciation of the processes of learning an additional language
- LIN 5501 (4) -- Linguistic Structures (F)
- ALS 6630 (4) -- Language Pedagogy (W Online)
- ALS 5589 (4) -- Special Education and Second Language Acquisition (W online)
- ALS 6631 (2) -- Curriculum and Material Design (Sp Online)
- ALS 6632 (2) -- Assessment and Compliance. (Sp Online)
- ALS 6570 (2) -- Language, Culture and Society (Sp Online)
- ALS 6960 (4) -- ESL Practicum (S)
- ALS 6530 (2) -- Language Acquisition (S)
LIN 5501 Linguistic Structures (4)
An introduction to linguistic analysis and the nature of human language within a modern linguistic framework using data from English and other languages. This course provides an overview of sound, structure, meaning, dialect variation, historical change, and linguistic universals. A grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate work is ordinarily the minimum standard for admission to the Master of Arts in linguistics program.
ALS 5589 Special Education and Second Language Acquisition (4)
Provides comprehensive information about the process of determining whether a struggling English leaner has an underlying disability, or if difficulties are due to a lack of language proficiency. This course will provide an overview of research-based assessment, diagnosis, accommodations, and interventions that address the complex learning needs of at-risk English learners. This course will also provide guidelines for special education refferals fair evaluation procedures for English learners.
ALS 6530 Language Acquisition (2)
First language acquisition in children: stages of the acquisition process, the role of the environment, and the relationship between language and the development of other skills. Second language learning in children: influence of first language, age differentials, learning styles, and factors affecting second language learning. Description and evaluation of competing models of acquisition.
ALS 6570 Language, Culture, and Society (2)
Language in cultural and social context. Sociocultural variables in language use, in style and dialect, and in bilingual and multilingual educational situations. Comparison and interrelationship of English-speaking and linguistically diverse cultures. Effect of national/ethnic cultures on communication. Examination of role of language and nonverbal modes in intercultural communication.
ALS 6630 Language Pedagogy (4)
Investigation of current methods, approaches, and techniques for teaching ESL to LEP K-12 students. Focus on actual classroom practices and activities for teaching reading, writing, listening, pronunciation, conversation, grammar, and vocabulary, and integration of techniques to reflect language use. Design of lessons and activities for each skill area of language learning.
ALS 6631 Curriculum and Material Design (2)
Design, evaluation, and selection of materials appropriate for second language learners. Focus on determination of age appropriate and proficiency-appropriate materials. Modification of existing materials and/or assigned curricula to meet student needs. Design of curricula for K-12 ESL learners consistent with theory-based expectations of language improvement.
ALS 6632 Assessment and Compliance (2)
Identification, assessment, and placement of students in proficiency-appropriate levels and programs. Investigation of ESL assessment tools. Design of assessment tools for classroom use. Investigation of strategies for preparation of LEP students for standardized tests. Investigation of legal implications of Title VI in curriculum and program design.
ALS 6960 ESL Practicum (4)
Supervised experience in ESL with students at various levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and ages (K-12). Graded S/U.
*The M.A. specialization in TESL has a foreign language requirement of four semesters of foreign language study (with at least two of those semesters being study of the same language). Most students will have satisfied this requirement during their undergraduate study and these credits are not included in the 16 graduate credits listed above. Those students with little or no foreign language background may opt for a different specialization in consultation with an advisor.
The number of foreign-born individuals in the United States is increasing rapidly. In 1997, the foreign-born population was estimated at 25.8 million, a 30 percent increase over the 1990 census figure of 19.8 million and a 169 percent increase over the 1970 census figure of 9.6 million. According to the 2000 census, the foreign-born population rose to 28.4 million or 10.4 percent of the total population. The rapid increase in the foreign-born population from 9.6 million in 1970 to 28.4 million in 2000 reflects the high level of international migration during the past generation, a trend that will continue according to census projections.
The increases in the foreign-born population are important because they mean increases in the number of people who speak a first language other than English and who, therefore, are likely to need classes in English as a Second Language (ESL). According to the 2016 census, 46.5 percent of school age children in the United States - nearly one out of every five - speak a language other than English at home. 25.5 percent of those children speak English “not well” or “not at all.”
At the local level in Michigan, these increases have generated a number of surprising statistics. The database at Oakland Schools lists more than 100 languages spoken by residents of Oakland County, and it is not unusual to have more than a dozen different languages spoken in a single K-12 class. In cities like Troy and Farmington, residents speak 65 different languages, and, in the five county southeastern Michigan area, more than 1000 children of Japanese origin attend English classes every Saturday. In 2016, Plymouth-Canton Schools saw an increase of almost 35 percent in the number of students of Indian descent alone compared to 1998.
What will the TESL Endorsement enable me to do?
The courses in the TESL Endorsement Program will help you understand the linguistic and cultural problems that students have when English is not their native language. With TESL background and training, you will be able to deal with those problems effectively and help students who speak other languages become more integrated into classroom activities.
Can I get Teacher Certification along with the TESL Endorsement?
The Department of Linguistics does not offer teacher certification. For that, you must contact the School of Education and Human Services. For further information, click here http://www.oakland.edu/sehs.
Do I need to have teacher certification from the State of Michigan in order to enroll in the Endorsement Program?
No.
Can the courses in the Endorsement Program be used as a planned program of courses toward professional certification?
Yes.
When are the TESL Endorsement classes offered? Can I take them at night?
All of the TESL Endorsement classes, except for the final class (The Practicum), are offered in the evening or online. The Practicum, in which students teach a class under the supervision of a certified ESL teacher, will be scheduled as a day class but in the summer semester.
How is the program set up? Do I have to take classes in a certain order?
This program is set up within the framework of a cohort, where a set number of students begin the program and take all of the courses together in sequence. However, there are exceptions where students have applied and been accepted outside of the cohort framework.
What is a cohort?
A cohort is a group of individuals who participate in a program together. All the people who enroll in the first course will proceed together as a group to the second course, and so on until the Program is completed. Since students take all courses together, there are many opportunities for collaboration and team building.
If I wish to pursue an M.A. degree, in addition to the Graduate K12 TESL Certificate Program, when do I apply for the M.A. program?
You may apply for the M.A. program at any point after completing LIN 5501.
How many students will be in the classes?
It is anticipated that there will be 8-10 students in each cohort.
What happens if I am unable to take the courses in the sequence begun by my cohort?
You will have to wait to take whatever you miss with another cohort. If you must drop out for an extended period, you can always join another cohort when you are able to continue.
What sort of grading system is used in the courses?
The Graduate K12 TESL Certificate Program is subject to the same policies and procedures as other graduate programs. For details on such matters as course regulations, grading system, appeal processes, academic conduct, and problem resolution, please consult the Graduate Catalogue http://www2.oakland.edu/gradstudy/pages/pages.cfm?page_id=116.
How many classes do I need to take for the ESL Endorsement?
The ESL endorsement consists of 24 credit hours in 8 courses (four 2-credit courses and four 4-credit courses).
What is the cost of attendance?
Tuition and fees are stipulated by Oakland University and vary from year to year. For a list of the current tuition, see the Oakland University Schedule of Classes. You can also consult a cost calculator to determine the cost for each 2-credit or 4-credit course at the following web address: http://www.oakland.edu/costcalculator/.
How do I apply? What are the steps in the application process?
Go to the website of the Graduate School and follow the instructions given there: http://www.oakland.edu/grad.
Once Graduate Admissions and Student Services receive all necessary materials, application files are forwarded to the Linguistics Department for review by the faculty. Academic recommendations are made to Graduate Admissions and Student Services where a final decision on the application for admission is made. Applicants are notified of the decision by letter.
For other FAQs, please see Oakland University website for graduate studies: http://www.oakland.edu/grad/.
TESL Cert (12)
Undergraduate students may earn a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) by taking the courses listed below (a total of twelve credits). In all cases, a student must complete 12 credits of coursework at OU and must satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Practicum Eligibility to obtain the certificate. Please note that these certificates are not equivalent to state certification. Interested students should contact Professor Sam Rosenthall, undergraduate advisor for Linguistics (370-2163), to determine their eligibility.
Introduction to the modern study of human language. Emphasis on the analysis of sound and structure, variation and change, and linguistics universals.
ALS 4418 The Teaching of English as a Second Language (4 credits)
Approaches, methods, and techniques of teaching pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The use of language tests and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: LIN 201
ALS 4960 Practicum (4 credits)
Internship in an assigned ESL program under the guidance of a university instructor. Offered fall, winter, and spring. Availability in spring is limited. For eligibility requirements, see Practicum Eligibility. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. Click here for more on the practicum teaching program.
Prerequisite: ALS 4418 and permission of instructor.
TESL Cert (12)
Graduate students may earn a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) by taking the courses listed below (a total of twelve credits). In all cases, a student must complete 12 credits of coursework at OU and must satisfy the eligibility requirements described in Practicum Eligibility to obtain the certificate. Please note that these certificates are not equivalent to state certification. Interested students should contact the Linguistics Department (370-2175) to determine their eligibility.
ALS 5518 The Teaching of English as a Second Language (4 credits)
Approaches, methods, and techniques of teaching pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. The use of language tests and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: LIN 5501
ALS 5960 Practicum (4 credits)
Internship in an assigned ESL program under the guidance of a university instructor. Offered fall, winter, and spring. Availability in spring is limited. For eligibility requirements, see Practicum Eligibility. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. Click here for more on the practicum teaching program.
Prerequisite: ALS 5518 and permission of instructor.
Prog in TESL(20)
The program consists of 20 credits in Applied Language Studies (ALS) and Linguistics (LIN) as set forth below. It is designed for completion in one or two years by individuals who are already teaching and seeking further professional development or by those seeking additional preparation in order to enter the field of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
Students who complete the program will have a thorough grounding in approaches to the study of human language and the principles of language learning and teaching. Please note that this certificate program is not equivalent to state certification.