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language teaching (MALT) graduate program.

The Master of Arts in Language Teaching (MALT) is a multidisciplinary 36 credit-hour graduate program offered by the Department of Foreign Languages in conjunction with faculty members from the Department of English and the College of Education. It draws from current faculty who teach French, German, Spanish, English, linguistics, literature, culture, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), foreign languages methods, education, and instructional technology. Completion of this degree will greatly enhance the knowledge and preparation of those interested in teaching foreign languages and/or English as a second or other language.

The MALT involves a sequence of graduate courses in language, language acquisition, and pedagogy designed to reinforce and build upon the language skills and knowledge of target language culture(s) of educators.

Students select one of four possible concentrations: TESOL, French, German, or Spanish

Admission Requirements

Basic admission requirements for students in all four concentrations include:

  • an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0
  • online graduate application along with the application fee
  • two letters of recommendations - Please provide the names and email addresses for your recommenders. (A Request form will be emailed to recommenders by UNO when you submit your online application.)
  • applicant must have taken Introduction to Linguistics (ENGL 3000 or equivalent). Those who do not meet this requirement will be admitted provisionally;
  • writing sample
  • One copy of official transcripts from all previously attended universities

Additional admission requirements for students in any of the foreign languages concentrations (French, German, or Spanish):

  • An oral target language sample via a standard-sized audiocassette tape. The target oral sample should be a simple description 3-5 minutes in length, i.e., a description of one's family, job, an important event, etc.
  • A written target language sample of five to seven pages in length. Students may submit a paper prepared for undergraduate language class, or may compose a new paper on any topic.

Additional admission requirements for students in TESOL Concentration:

  • A five to seven page writing sample in English. Students may submit a paper prepared for an undergraduate English class, or may compose a new paper on any topic.

Nonnative speakers of English:

  • A minimum TOEFL score of 250 computer-based or 100 internet-based.
  • An oral English language sample via a standard-sized audiocassette tape. The target oral sample should be a simple description 3-5 minutes in length, i.e., a description of one's family, job, an important event, etc.

Course Requirements

The degree is composed of 36 credit hours of graduate work distributed as follows:

Foreign Languages (French, German, or Spanish):

FREN/GERM/SPAN 8226: Structure of FREN/GERM/SPAN Language (3 credit hours)
Literature Course / Literary Criticism (3 credit hours)
TED 8006: Special Methods in Teaching Foreign Languages (3 hours)
FLNG 8960: Seminar - Special Topics (3 credit hours)
FREN/GERM/SPAN 8440: Seminar FREN/GERM/SPAN Composition (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8020: Seminar - FL/TESOL Research (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8030: Seminar - SLA Theory (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8040: Seminar Assessment and Material Design (3 credit hours) ; or equivalent course
FREN/GERM/SPAN 8960 and 8966: *Study Abroad (6 credit hours)
TED 8540, 8550, 8560, 8570, 8580, 8590: Instructional Technology (3 credit hours),
Approved Elective in the target language (3 credit hours)

TOTAL: 36 credit hours

TESOL:

ENGL 8656: Structure of English (3 credit hours)
Writing Seminar (3 credit hours)
Literature Seminar (3 credit hours)
ENGL 8740: Discourse, Culture : Power (3 credit hours)
TED 8006: Special Methods in TESOL (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8960: Special Topics (3 credit hours)
ENGL 8780: Pedagogic Field Experience in TESOL (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8020: Seminar - FL/TESOL Research (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8030: SLA Theory (3 credit hours)
FLNG 8040: Seminar - Assessment and Materials Design (3 credit hours); or equivalent course
TED 8540, 8550, 8560, 8570, 8580, or 8590: Instructional Technology (3 credit hours)
Approved Elective (3 credit hours)

TOTAL: 36 credit hours

The final requirements of the degree for all four concentrations is the successful completion of written and oral comprehensive examination in which linguistic and pedagogical knowledge is applied to the student's target language area.

General Notes:
  • Study abroad may be replaced by 6 hours of coursework pending department approval.
  • Assessment and Material Design may be replaced by an equivalent course in the College of Education, pending department approval.
  • A "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average must be maintained in all graduate work taken as part of the degree program.
  • A maximum of 12 hours of approved graduate credit can be transferred from other graduate program and counted towards the MALT degree. Additional graduate courses completed within the NU system may be transferred pending department approval.
  • 18 of the 36 hours must be completed at the 8000 level only (at UNO these courses typically end in a 0, i.e., 8--0). Six (18 hours) other courses may be completed at the split 4000/8000 level (ie, 4--0/8--6).
  • Coursework for the MALT must be completed within a period of ten years.
  • A student may complete a graduate minor (9 additional graduate hours) with department permission.

To apply for admission, please contact the UNO Office of Graduate Studies at (402)-554-2341, visit Eppley Administration Buidling, Room 203, or apply online.

last updated : 3/30/2011 at 2:43pm