Teaching English as a Second Language, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of English language structures, English language use, second language acquisition and development, and language processes to help English Language Learners (ELLs) acquire academic language and literacies specific to various content areas. 

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the impact of dynamic academic, personal, familial, cultural, social, and sociopolitical contexts on the education and language acquisition of ELLs as supported by research and theories. Candidates investigate the academic and personal characteristics of each ELL, as well as family circumstances and literacy practices, to develop individualized, effective instructional and assessment practices for their ELLs. Candidates recognize how educator identity, role, culture, and biases impact the interpretation of ELLs’ strengths and needs.

• Plan supportive environments for ELLs, design and implement standards-based instruction using evidence-based, ELL-centered, interactive approaches. Candidates make instructional decisions by reflecting on individual ELL outcomes and adjusting instruction. Candidates demonstrate understanding of the role of collaboration with colleagues and communication with families to support their ELLs’ acquisition of English language and literacies in the content areas. Candidates use and adapt relevant resources, including appropriate technology, to effectively plan, develop, implement, and communicate about instruction for ELLs. Apply assessment principles to analyze and interpret multiple and varied assessments for ELLs, including classroom-based, standardized, and language proficiency assessments. Candidates understand how to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions that promote English language and content learning. Candidates understand the importance of communicating results to other educators, ELLs, and ELLs’ families.

• Demonstrate professionalism and leadership by collaborating with other educators, knowing policies and legislation and the rights of ELLs, advocating for ELLs and their families, engaging in self-assessment and reflection, pursuing continuous professional development, and honing their teaching practice through supervised teaching.

Admissions Requirements

• Students must have a valid Pennsylvania teaching license (if they are out of state they have to provide a valid teaching license as well, but they must speak with their Department of Education to determine if this TESL specialist programs meets their states requirements).
• College Transcripts
• This is a summer start only certification program. 

Curriculum Requirements

Core

•  

• ED 5710 - Foundations of ESL Education Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5720 - Language Acquisition and Development Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5730 - Supporting L2, Family, and Community Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5740 - Human Language and Culture - Sociolinguistics Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5750 - Second Language Methodologies - Content Based ESL Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5760 - Assessing English Language Learners - Language Assessment Credit Hours: 3

Total Number of Credits to Complete Program: 18

Program notes:

• Must already have teaching certificate (if out of state, check with your department of education)
• Summer start only
• Certain courses require a minimum of 5 hours of field experience