A new full tuition grant allows graduate students to learn how to teach English as a second language.
The Teaching English as a Second Language program received a federal grant to teach English to lawful permanent residents in Oklahoma who are working to become citizens. The grant covers tuition and fees for the program.
Ashley Rhone, TESOL senior of the graduate program, said she is excited for the incoming students who will have their tuition paid for.
“The scholarship program really kind of alleviates a lot of stress from the student. You don’t have to worry about having to work and study,” she said. “You can directly apply what you studied to teaching this particular subject.”
Dr. Ally Zhou, director of the TESOL program, said to apply for this program, students must have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of teaching experience. Students will take 18 credit hours of classes in teaching, grammar and linguistics and must also teach ESL classes to the Oklahoma community.
The classes are free to the community, Zhou said.
“There is a very high demand for English as a second language teachers,” she said.
Rhone said students will teach ESL and civics in the community classes.
“It gives them a lot of good practical experience,” she said. “I encourage people to study TESOL in general because I think it applies to a lot of things. The FBI looks for teachers, and it’s because we have managerial mentality. There’s a lot of things that transfer over to other aspects of careers.”
Amy Cataldi, dean of Petree College of Arts and Sciences, said faculty have worked hard to get the grant for the students and help the community.
“It’s a meaningful grant in the sense that we are helping people become citizens,” she said.
Graduates of this program will receive a graduate certificate in TESOL and will be halfway through a masters’ degree, Zhou said.
“They have a choice of continuing in the degree program if they choose to do so, because half of their tuition for their master’s degree would have already been covered,” Zhou said.
Students interested in applying can contact Zhou at AZhou@okcu.edu or Michael Herrington, director of graduate admissions office, at maharrington@okcu.edu to inquire about the application process or materials.
“Students need to indicate that they are interested in the grant program, specifically,” Zhou said.
Zhou said the program has a rolling admissions policy, but she recommends that students apply by the end of November.
Students will get a great education from this program, Cataldi said.
“The faculty in that program are experts at teaching students to teach English to second language learners,” Cataldi said.
Earning this certificate will provide students many career opportunities, Zhou said.
“Some of the students have already gotten job offers before they graduate, and some of them are already teaching now, so I think the perspective job market is really promising,” she said.
Cataldi encouraged students to apply for the program.
“It’s an important piece of our community and our culture, and I’m really thrilled that we can play a part of that,” Cataldi said. “As Oklahoma City’s University, as a school that believes in servant leadership, I think it’s delightful.”
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