USC offers online TESOL program

Students from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education watch an online lecture. The school provides an online degree program for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). / Courtesy of USC Rossier School of Education

Rossier School shows off strong student network in Korea

Evan Siegel, admission counselor of the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education

By Bahk Eun-ji

An admissions counselor from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education has encouraged Korean students to actively participate in the school’s online degree program for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

“While there are different TESOL programs available, it is not common for students to earn a master of arts in teaching (MAT) with a U.S. teaching certificate while living in Korea,” said Evan Siegel, an international field admission counselor at the school.

Evan said USC Rossier offers two programs: an MAT for TESOL and an MAT with teaching credential. Both programs support students to prepare teaching in settings in Korea, in the U.S. and other places around the world.

He said that what is unique about the school is that it offers an online program that is identical to on-campus programs, adding that it is the same curriculum and same faculty who teach the online classes and the same diploma the in-class students earn.

Through the online program, students have interactions on a daily basis as they engage in live classes via the school’s online platform, he said.

The counselor noted that although some Korean students still tend to prefer the traditional way of teaching, such as meeting teachers in person and communicating with other students directly, they can fulfill their expectation from the online program as it is just the same as on-campus program.

“The students can see their professors and peers on their computer screen, and their professor and peers and can see them. Each course is capped at 15 students for each instructor, so students are building meaningful relationships and networking throughout the program with others from all over the world,” he said.

The following is an excerpt of The Korea Times’ interview with Siegel.

Q:

How does USC Rossier School make the online TESOL course identical to on-campus courses?

A:

This program brings the best parts of our on-campus program online through attending live, online classes, completing dynamic self-paced coursework (on students’ own time) and participating in guided field teaching experiences wherever the student is located.

Our professors hold virtual office hours on the platform, so they regularly meet with students one-on-one and in small groups, thus allowing for direct communication and maintaining our strong community.

While the program is delivered online, our candidates pursuing their studies in Korea regularly meet in person for both academic and social events.

How does the school support students during their curriculum as well as landing a job after graduation?

Our students are well supported from the initial request for information (by working with an admissions counselor like myself) through graduation, and applying for employment by working with our career services team.

All of our programs include opportunities for live teaching fieldwork because it is important to be able to use what is being learned in our master’s program in a teaching setting.

We have a job placement team that works with our students to secure placements in local teaching settings here in Korea, depending on which program they are pursuing and what age group with which they are looking to work.

This service promotes our students having meaningful practical experiences because they are trying out different techniques and have opportunities for constant feedback from their professors and peers. This supports our candidates to become well-prepared, confident educators who can teach around the world.

What kinds of benefits can students enjoy from the network of the school?

The fact that by having the program delivered online and by being able to build relationships with other students all over the world, USC has a very extensive network. For our students, by pursuing programs with USC, it opens a lot of opportunities for them, whatever their goals are.

So if their goals are to continue or start teaching in Korea, or other countries, or in the U.S, our school is committed to our students’ success after graduation, as well as their success in the program.

We have career services for all of our students, so they are able to utilize their network as well as a department of resources. When they graduate and they are looking for employment, or looking to move into another position, those resources are available for them at USC to support their success.

We have a strong network of MAT students here in Korea and our candidates are part of the Trojan community.

What are the strongest points that the school offers compared to other TESOL programs?

USC Rossier is a top-20, U.S. private research graduate school of education.

Our program offers the flexibility of being delivered online while candidates earn the same degree as on campus in Los Angeles. This allows them to continue working, earning income and living in Korea while furthering their education from a well-respected U.S. university.

Our candidates attend small, live, weekly classes where they interact directly with their peers and professors and use tools, including chat conversations, Powerpoint presentations, teaching videos, document sharing and group polling.

The faculty members have experience teaching in settings around the world, including Dr. Emmy Min who is Korean and has taught at both the high school and collegiate level here. The program has a strong global perspective.

Students of MAT TESOL are prepared to teach English to young children through adults, so they maximize potential job opportunities.

The fact that by having the program delivered online and by being able to build relationships with other students all over the world, USC has a very extensive network. For our students, by pursuing programs with USC, it opens a lot of opportunities for them, whatever their goals are. So if their goals are to continue or start teaching in Korea, or other countries, or in the U.S, our school is committed to our students’ success after graduation, as well as their success in the program.