Graduation Date

Fall 2017

Document Type

Project

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in English, emphasis Peace Corps Service with TEFL

Committee Chair Name

Suzanne Scott

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Marianne Ahokas

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

TEFL, Communicative approach, CLT, Central America, English development, Teaching english as a foreign language, TEFL development

Subject Categories

English

Abstract

English as a foreign language (EFL) is a mandatory part of public education in Nicaragua, Central America. Many Nicaraguan EFL teachers, however, lack the English and teaching skills to be able to do their job effectively. Furthermore, teacher training and professional development opportunities for EFL teachers in Nicaragua are often inaccessible and/or of low quality. As a Master’s International Program student, I studied Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) and served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, where I sought to improve EFL education. This M.A. Project tells the story of my Master’s International Program.

In Chapter 1, Introduction, I outline the project. In Chapter 2, Master’s International Training and the Nicaraguan TEFL Context, I describe the TESL/TEFL training I received at Humboldt State University and in the Peace Corps, and the relevancy of that training to my later TEFL development work in Nicaragua. Chapter 3, Co-Teaching, discusses the two years I spent as a Peace Corps volunteer training Nicaraguan EFL teachers through co-planning and co-teaching high school English classes. Chapter 4, Secondary Projects, details the other TEFL development work I did in Nicaragua, including teaching English at the community and university levels and giving workshops to Nicaraguan EFL teachers. Lastly, in Chapter 5, Conclusion, I summarize my thoughts and feelings regarding my Master’s International Program.

Throughout this project, I discuss the methodological approach, techniques, and activities that I used to improve the English and TEFL skills of the Nicaraguan students and teachers with whom I worked. In addition, I note unresolved professional challenges that I encountered, as well as what I might have done differently. Overall, my Master’s International Program was a successful and enjoyable experience. I hope that this M.A. Project will provide guidance, as well as generate productive questions, for others working to improve EFL education in Nicaragua and similar contexts.

Citation Style

MLA

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