On May 26, the FAU Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new master’s degree in teaching English as a second language (TESOL) and bilingual education after a two-year wait.

Joan Friedenberg, one of the initial creators of the program, admits that she couldn’t be more thrilled about the decision.

“We expected [it] to get approved, and we’re very excited that it was,” says Friedenberg, coordinator and professor of TESOL and bilingual education. “We’ve already got students beating on our door!”

One of those students is Silvina Storfer, who is currently working on a master’s in reading education at FAU but is considering switching to the new master’s program.

“It was really good to hear that the program was approved, because I think it will be a great advantage for FAU,” says Storfer.

This new program is of benefit to FAU because it will be the first TESOL degree offered in the state university system, and, according to Friedenberg, is drawing many international students.

The decision on whether the program will begin this fall will be known by July 1.