Courses

Using the  study area buttons below find detailed information about the courses being offered. 
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Linguistics

• LING 105 Introduction to TESOL

  This course offers an insight into the world of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The course is an overview of foundational theory and essential practice in the profession. This includes opportunities in the field of TESOL, language learning theory, and methodological principles. It also covers the dynamics of classroom interaction and the teaching of the four main skill areas. Although this is designed as a standalone course, it provides an introduction to the TESOL emphasis within the BA Applied Linguistics: TESOL degree.

  Prerequisite: for students whose first language is not English - A minimum score of IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 213 (computer-based), TOEFL 80 (iBT), or TESL Canada-approved equivalent.

• LING 120 TESOL Practicum I

  This initial practicum focuses on observation and team-teaching. Each student is placed in an existing adult ESL class taught by an experienced sponsor teacher. Students undertake a minimum of thirty hours of directed in-class observation reflecting upon the specific aspects of classroom practice they observe. In addition, students complete a minimum of two hours of guided teaching over the course of the practicum, partnering with a sponsor teacher or fellow practicum student.

  Prerequisite: Prerequisite: LING 105 Introduction to TESOL Pre- or co-requisite: LING 221 Language Teaching Methodology

• LING 200 Pre-Internship (non-credit)

  This course provides an opportunity to engage in a cross-cultural experience in an introductory English language teaching environment. The pre-internship typically focuses on teaching conversational English to young and adolescent ESL learners in a summer language camp or school setting. The teaching mostly happens in a formal or semi-formal teaching context but these are supplemented by opportunities for less structured, out-of-classroom activities. Total teaching time will be between 20 and 65 hours, typically completed over a period of 3 to 5 weeks. A pre-internship may be repeated, for non-credit, when the cross-cultural experience is to a different country.

  Prerequisite: Permission of the TESOL program coordinator

• LING 220 Linguistics: English Grammar

  This course prepares students to teach English grammar to speakers of other languages. It provides a comprehensive review of the key elements of English grammar in order to enhance students' own understanding. Students also learn how to apply this understanding to the teaching of grammar in the classroom context.

  Prerequisite: LING 105 Introduction to TESOL

• LING 221 Language Teaching Methodology

  This course familiarizes students with the most popular methodological approaches used in TESOL today. Students learn what is meant by method and examine methodologies used in the communicative and post-communicative eras. Students are introduced to the beliefs about language and language learning that underpin the various methodologies and become acquainted with the teaching techniques that have arisen around the methodologies. The course does not promote one particular methodology, but aims to foster the notion of "principled eclecticism" in which the strengths of multiple methodologies are fit within a specific social and cultural context.

  Prerequisite: LING 105 Introduction to TESOL

• LING 222 Second Language Acquisition

  This course provides an overview of current research into how languages are learned. Students are exposed to key research that shapes the profession's understanding of learners and the learning process including motivation, first language transfer, and aptitude. The course seeks to provide answers to questions such as "When is the best age to learn a language?" and "To what extent do individual and learning style differences influence the language learning process?" Students are invited to connect the answers to the questions with actual TESOL practice.

  Prerequisite: LING 105 Introduction to TESOL

• LING 300 Language Acquisition Theory and Practice

  This course introduces students to learner-directed second language acquisition using an experience-centered approach applicable to learning any world language. Students will be able to explore their beliefs about language learning while gaining practical experience in learner-directed second language acquisition in a small group, non-instructed setting with a native speaker of another language. This course integrates the sociocultural and cognitive dimensions of language learning and equips students to build effective language and culture learning relationships with native speakers.

• LING 320 TESOL Practicum II

  This practicum is designed to provide students with a minimum of twenty hours of supervised solo teaching. Each student is placed in an existing adult ESL class of no less than six adult learners taught by an experienced sponsor teacher. Practicum students are required to submit a student profile, needs analysis, and curriculum prior to beginning their actual teaching. All practicum student teaching is observed by either the sponsor teacher or the practicum supervisor. Practicum students are also required to videotape one class for inclusion in the portfolio of evidence.

  Prerequisite: Prerequisite: LING 120 TESOL Practicum I and LING 220 Linguistics: English Grammar Pre- or co-requisite: LING 321 English Language Skills in TESOL and LING 322 Linguistics: Phonology

• LING 321 English Language Skills in TESOL

  This course focuses on the four main language skill areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Each individual skill area is examined in detail, giving students an opportunity to become familiar with the psycholinguistic processes involved, for example, in reading or listening. Students also learn practical approaches to teaching each skill, including the key notion of sub-skills such as scanning or reading for "gist." Though the skills are studied in isolation, the notion of integration of skills remains a key theme throughout the course. Students apply what they learn through the creation of lessons plans and the presentation of mini-lessons.

  Prerequisite: LING 221 Language Teaching Methodology

• LING 322 Linguistics: Phonology

  This course prepares students to teach the phonological and morphological systems of English to speakers of other languages. Students learn the meta-language used to describe the sound system of English, as well as the North American version of the International Phonetic Alphabet with which it is transcribed. Students also become familiar with the elements of the sound system of English which are problematic to speakers of other languages and how these limitations can be addressed in the language classroom. Particular attention is paid to strategies, techniques, and materials for the teaching of phonology.

  Prerequisite: or co-requisite: LING 220 Linguistics: English Grammar

• LING 323 Materials Development

  This course trains students to develop and create their own materials for the TESOL classroom. Starting with an analysis of a range of published and unpublished materials, students identify the elements essential to creating quality materials for language teaching. Students become acquainted with common sources of content for materials including corpora, reference works, and authentic media (text and audiovisual), as well as the software and online tools that can be used in the creation process. An opportunity for students to create and pilot their own materials is also part of the course.

  Prerequisite: LING 221 Language Teaching Methodology. Pre- or co-requisite: LING 321 English Language Skills in TESOL

• LING 420 Ethics in TESOL

  This seminar consists of readings, discussions, and presentations designed to raise student awareness of current political and sociological issues within TESOL. Students have the opportunity to reflect on the implications for TESOL practice of issues such as cultural and linguistic imperialism, global English language policy, differences in educational philosophy, classroom ethics, and materials used in the classroom. Students consider appropriate, professional, and culturally-relevant responses to the issues and to their own role as Christian English language teachers.

• LING 427 TESOL Internship

  This course is a cumulative, practical application of the training received from Briercrest College and Seminary. Experience is gained in teaching English and managing classrooms in a culture outside North America. Students learn about the internship context, prepare materials, raise funds, and learn about the culture to which they plan to go. Total teaching time is a minimum of 45 hours, typically completed over a period of 5 weeks.
  
  Note: The BA Applied Linguistics: TESOL degree requires the completion of a degree-specific internship. All internships need to be approved in advance by the appropriate program coordinator. The internship is offered to college students who have completed 60 credit hours or more and have been accepted into the degree program.

• LING 429 Professional Issues in TESOL

  This course is designed to prepare students for their future in TESOL. It focuses on professional, employment-related issues connected with applying for a TESOL position such as identifying potential employers and rewarding work opportunities. As part of this course, students create their own résumé, prepare a portfolio of evidence, and take part in a mock interview. Students also learn about workplace-related issues including continuing professional development (CPD) and relating to other professionals.

  Prerequisite: LING 320 TESOL Practicum II, or permission of the instructor