Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL ... - Policy

International Education DepartmentTeaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)Program PoliciesAPPROVAL:1. Program Revision: January 20062. Admissions & Standards Committee: March 20063. Effective: September 2006TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) PROGRAMThe one-semester TESOL Advanced Diploma Program provides Canadian and international students with anintensive overview of the fundamental elements of teaching English to speakers of other languages.PROGRAM OBJECTIVES1. To facilitate student knowledge and understanding of second language teaching theory and methodology.2. To prepare students to make the successful transition to teaching in the English Language classroom.3. To provide students with the opportunity to develop materials related to specific language skills.4. To encourage students to discover and challenge their own cultural assumptions and values, and to applytheir understanding to teaching principles and strategies.Students in the TESOL Program are subject to the overall policies affecting all students at Selkirk College, withthe following additions listed below. College policies may be viewed on-line at the College website(www.selkirk.ca).PART I: ADMISSIONS POLICIESA. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS1. Academica) Applicants must have successfully graduated with a degree or diploma from a recognizedinstitution, or have completed at least two years of post-secondary education with an averagegrade of “C+” or higher.b) Applicants who are speakers of other languages must provide evidence of a minimum Test ofEnglish as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer), or anInternational English Language Test Score (IELTS) score of 6.5. Completion of Level 5 in theEnglish Language Program and English 051 may increase the English proficiency scores ofcandidates.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 22. Generala) Prior work or volunteer educational experience, preferably with second language learners,and/or coursework in education is desirable.b) Applicants are required to attend an interview and submit a current resume. Wherecircumstances make a personal interview impractical, a telephone interview will be conducted.Interview results are not used as criteria for admissions.3. Mature StudentsB. SELECTIONa) A “mature student” is at least 19 years and has been out of the school system for at least oneyear on or before the first day of classes of the program.b) A mature student, with reasonable potential for success on the basis of work experience orother criteria may be admitted, notwithstanding some deficiency in prior formal education.c) A mature student shall normally meet the specific program or course prerequisites.Applicants will be separated into two levels as identified in Selkirk College Policy B3002.1 (Admissions andStandards), namely, “fully qualified” and “partially qualified”.1. Fully QualifiedThe applicant meets all of the requirements stated in Part I, A. above.2. Partially QualifiedThe applicant is deficient in meeting some or all of the admission requirements stated in Part I, A,above.3. Order of SelectionSelection and acceptance of applicants will proceed in the following order:a) Within the fully-qualified level, preference shall be given to those with earlier completedapplications.b) Within the partially-qualified level, preference shall be given to those considered best qualified.C. APPLICATION PROCEDURES1. Before an applicant’s file is completed, the following must be received:a) All post-secondary transcriptsb) English proficiency test scores (Refer to Part 1, A.1, b, above)c) Current resumé2. Initial applications to Registration/Admissions should be submitted by June 30 th . Late applicants willbe accepted subject to space availability.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 33. The deadline for receiving required documentation is normally July 31 st .4. Interviews will normally be arranged by a program designate when the applicant=s file is complete.Interview results are not used as criteria for admission.D. RE-ENTRY1. Students in good standing, who must interrupt their program, may apply to re-enter within one year ofdeparture.2. Normally, students who re-enter in one year or less will maintain full credit for all courses previouslycompleted. After more than one year’s absence, students may be required to update or repeatcourses already completed.3. Re-admission is dependent upon sufficient places being available in the semester for which re-entryis being sought.4. Exceptional cases will be considered individually, at the discretion of the Department Head ofInternational Education.PART II: PROMOTION POLICIESA. EVALUATION1. Gradinga) Grading will be based on the categories defined in Selkirk College Policy B3002.1 (Admissionsand Standards), Part II, Section 4.0 and 8.0.2. Frequency of Evaluationa) Students will complete assignments (as indicated in Part II, A .3) according to the frequencystated in each course outline.3. Types of Evaluationsa) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in therespective course outline. Evaluative events will include exams, assignments, group projects,and presentations.b) Exams, labs, projects, assignments and other evaluative activities are weighted and averagedas indicated in the respective course outline.4. Examination Policya) Assignments and exams must be written and submitted at the scheduled time. Exceptions willonly be considered when the instructor has been supplied with satisfactory evidence ofpersonal illness, disability, extenuating circumstances or prior arrangements have been madewith the instructor.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 45. Plagiarism and Cheating(Excerpts below taken from Selkirk College Admissions and Standards Policy (B3002.1)B. PROBATION15.1 Honesty is expected and required of all students. The purpose of this section of the policy isto deal with honesty in the conduct of all examinations, essays, reports and other assignmentsprepared or completed by students pursuant to the requirements of a Selkirk College programor course.15.2 Cheating is defined as dishonest or deceptive conduct or attempted conduct by whichindividuals or groups of individuals use or attempt to use unauthorized aids, assistance,materials and methods to represent their academic work, training and standards as their own.15.3 Plagiarism is defined as the presentation or submission of work or data (published orunpublished in any form), done in whole or in part by other persons, without citation or credit,as the student’s own work i.e., a group project, book journal, electronic media, etc.15.4 The submission of one’s own work for credit in more than one course without the expressknowledge of the instructors involved is forbidden.15.5 Selkirk College will not condone nor will it accept work submitted to obtain credit which wasproduced through cheating or plagiarism.1. Purposea) For a first offence the assignment, test, exam, paper project or other work involved willbe awarded a grade of zero to be incorporated into the calculation of the final grade.b) For a second offence, the student will be required to withdraw from the course.c) For any further offence, the student will be required to withdraw from the college.d) A record of the foregoing will be kept in the student’s official record.e) Depending on the nature of the offence, steps (a) and/or (b) above may be by-passed,following consultation or instructor, School Chair, and/or Registrar.a) Probation is intended to provide a formal mechanism to assist students with unsatisfactory ormarginal performance or to improve their performance.2. Criteria for placement on academic probationa) Student may be placed on academic probation only during the first two-thirds of a program termor semester, under the following circumstances:(i)Failure to meet course requirements at a satisfactory level in formative (interim)appraisals.3. Criteria for placement on behavioural probationa) A student may be placed on behavioural probation at any time during the term or semesterunder the following circumstances:(i)A level of absenteeism from learning experiences which results in the student beingunprepared for learning or compromising the learning of others.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 5(ii) Performance which compromises the safety of others (as cited in College Policy 3002.1,article 10.3).(iii) Other behaviour as referred to in the Student Code of Conduct Policy B3002.4. While on probation, a student will consult a Department advisor to determine areas of difficulty andplan a program of remedial action. At the end of the probationary period, student progress will be reassessed.5. Criteria for removal from probationa) Conditions for removal from probation will be specified in the written notification of probation.6. Failure to meet conditions of probationa) Students who fail to meet the specified conditions or stipulated standards, as outlined in theirprobation letter, will be required to withdraw from the course and/or the program.7. Number of probationary periods alloweda) One probationary period is allowed.C. EXCLUSION OR DISMISSAL (See Selkirk College Policy B3002.1, Part II, Section 16.0.)1. An instructor may exclude a student from participating in a class, if the student would not receivesufficient educational benefit from the experience due to lateness, prior absence, inadequatepreparation, or if he/she disrupts the learning of others.2. An instructor may recommend to the Department Head that a student be completely excluded from acourse if that student has missed instructional times or failed to complete the assigned work to such adegree that he/she could not compensate sufficiently to pass the course in the time available, or if thestudent has compromised the safety of others, has been destructive to property, or if the student hasdisrupted the learning opportunities of others.3. A student recommended for exclusion from a course/program will receive notification from and will beexcluded by the Registrar on the recommendation of the Department Head.D. APPEAL (See College Policy B3007.)1. A student dissatisfied with a final grade or program decision (e.g., probation, exclusion, dismissal)may appeal the College's action by following this sequence:a) Contact the course instructor in writing.b) Contact the Department Head in writing.c) Contact the Dean in writing.NOTE:A student ombudsperson may be available to assist the student in this process. If theissue has not been resolved, the student may then choose to:d) Appeal to the Student Appeals Committee by contacting the College Registrar.e) Students have five working days from the time they are notified of their final grades to appeal agrade.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 6E. ATTENDANCEf) From the time of official notification students have five working days to appeal probationarystatus, exclusion or dismissal.1. Students are expected to attend all classes and to demonstrate punctuality. Poor performance inthese areas may result in the student being put on probation.Note: Attendance and punctuality are considered important elements of professionalism. Studentteachers are expected to demonstrate professionalism as they make the transition into the workplace.2. Students absent from any learning activity for any reason are responsible for making up the work theyhave missed. The program cannot undertake to provide substitute learning experiences in courseswhen students have been absent.3. Absence from learning activities could prevent the student from being able to meet the requiredobjectives of the course.4. Students absent for illness or compassionate reasons must contact the instructor prior to the class, inperson, by phone or in writing. Students may be required to provide a letter from a doctor to verifyclaims of illness longer than two days.F. ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMINATIONS1. Assignments must be handed in on the due date or the assignment mark may be penalised as statedon the course outline. Exceptions to due dates must be negotiated with the instructor involved 48hours in advance of the due date.2. Plagiarism refer to Part II A, 5.3. Examinations will be scheduled as described in course outlines.4. Students who must be absent from an examination due to special circumstances such as illness,accident or family emergency may apply for permission to rescheduled the examination. Studentswho do not apply for such permission and who fail to write a scheduled examination will receive amark of zero on the examination in question.5. Students guilty of dishonest practices during an examination shall be immediately dismissed from theexamination and will receive a grade of zero. Further action may be recommended by theDepartment of International Education if deemed appropriate.6. Examination protocol includes but is not limited to the following:a) Eating will not be allowed in the examination room.b) Students are expected to conduct themselves as quietly as possible in consideration of others.c) Students are expected to be punctual.TESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw

TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL) Program Policies Page 7G. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT1. The classroom is a learning environment. It should be comfortable and safe. Teachers and studentsshould seek to create an atmosphere that stimulates and promotes learning. To this end thefollowing policies apply:H. GRADUATIONa) The use of tobacco products is not permitted within college buildings.b) Food consumption is not allowed during classroom sessions.c) All classrooms are to be kept in a clean and well-ordered state.1. A TESOL Advanced Diploma will be awarded to the graduate at the end of the academic term.2. The requirements for graduation include the successful completion of the following courses with aminimum grade of “C” in each course.TSOL 102TSOL 104TSOL 106TSOL 108TSOL 110TSOL 112TSOL 114TSOL 116Second Language Acquisition and TheoryClassroom Practice and OrganisationEnglish Language Curriculum and materials DevelopmentLanguage and CulturePracticum Experience and SeminarGrammar and PhonologyTesting and EvaluationComputer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)06 03 13 / HB:pwTESOL policies 0606 03 13 / HB:pw