Grammar Rules, but Not for English Language Teachers
In a global economy, the field of English language teaching is exploding,, says Gabriel Diaz Maggioli, assistant professor and chair of The New School’s Department of English Language Studies. Diaz Maggioli is the newly appointed director of the graduate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TESOL).
As the need to learn English grows, so does the demand for qualified teachers, both abroad and in the United States, which is experiencing growth among non-English speaking immigrants and foreign students. Numerous countries mandate English instruction in schools,, Diaz Maggioli says, and English is considered the international language for commerce, diplomacy, finance, science, media, and technology.,
Nonetheless, according to Diaz Maggioli, being grammar’s champion falls far short of the expertise required to teach the language.
Mastering English entails much more than the mastery of structure or grammar,, Diaz Maggioli says. Today, one must understand different cultures and be adept at communicating in diverse social and business situations.,
The university’s MA TESOL program opens students’ eyes to the world,, he says. With its emphasis on the cultural dimensions of language study, the program’s pedagogical approach is unusually rich. When students are learning a second language, they are at once envoys of their native culture and initiates of a new one ‘ an intersection that can inspire a fascinating classroom dynamic.
With a perspective neither British nor American, Diaz Maggioli stresses the cultural, political, and ethical aspects of language teaching in an interconnected, ever-evolving global environment. The program’s flexibility allows students to take classes online or on campus, studying with faculty members who live and work around the world.
Diaz Maggioli brings to The New School years of international experience in education. A native of Uruguay, he worked for the National Teacher Education College. He is completing a doctorate in education at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, and serves as a consultant to educational institutions in Latin America and the United States.
Diaz Maggioli believes that the global focus of The New School’s program prepares students to teach on every continent and leave a deep imprint on their students’ destinies.
Alumna Caryn Davis, who teaches in the City University of New York’s Language Immersion Program, agrees. She earned her master’s in TESOL while teaching in an adult immersion program for college-bound immigrants in New York City.
Studying with internationally based peers and professors was both a satisfying and a humbling experience,, recalls Davis, who was recently honored by the New York Times for her outstanding work as a TESOL professional. I realized that my students represent current and future English speakers around the globe.,