ESOL - Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages

Enhance your skills in teaching English language learners!

Today’s schools serve an increasingly diverse population of students, including non-native English speakers. Support for schools in accommodating the needs of this rapidly growing population is addressed through these programs. Participants in this program will acquire a wide range of concepts, theories, and practices related to effectively teaching English Language Learners (ELL).

Program Options Available for:

  • Master of Education degree (33 credits)
  • Professional Development Certificate (21 credits)

M.Ed. Degree Requirements

This 33-credit graduate program includes a minimum of 15 credits in the core courses, 11 credits in the specialization area, 3 credits in action research, 4 credits in clinical courses, and 3 credits in an elective.

Required Courses

ED 601 – Theories of Development: A Lifespan Perspective (3 credits)

ED 602 – Social and Psychological Forces Affecting Youth (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ED 605 – Research Methods (3 credits)

ED 606 – Action Research/Special Project (3 credits)

ED 639 – Psychological and Linguistic Foundations of Reading (3 credits)

ED 681 – Curriculum Development for a Multicultural Society (3 credits)

ESOL Specialization Courses

ED 658EA – Methods of Teaching ESOL (3 credits)

ED 658EB – Teaching Reading and Writing for English Learners (3 credits)

ED 658EC – Second Language Acquisition (3 credits)

ED 658ED – Assessment in the ESOL Classroom (2 credits)

Clinical Course

ED 658EF – Practicum in ESOL (1 credit)

Specialization Standards

Domain 1. Language, Candidates will

  • Understand and use the major theories and research related to the structure and acquisition of language to help English language learners’ (ELLs)  
  • Be able to develop language and literacy and achieve in the content areas. 
  • Demonstrate that issues of language structure and language acquisition development are interrelated.  

Domain 2. Culture, Candidates will

  • Understand, and use the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature and role of culture and cultural groups to construct supportive learning environment for ELLs.  

Domain 3. Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction, Candidates will

  • Know, understand, and use evidence-based practices and strategies related to planning, implementing, and managing standards-based ESL and content instruction.  
  • Know and can use program models and skills in teaching strategies for developing and integrating language skills.   
  • Integrate technology as well as choose and adapt classroom resources for ELLs.

Domain 4: Assessment, Candidates will

  • Demonstrate understanding of issues and concepts of assessment and use standards-based procedures with ELLs.   

Domain 5. Professionalism, Candidates will

  • Keep current with new instructional techniques, research results, advances in the ESL field, and education policy issues.    
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the history of ESL teaching and use such information to reflect on and improve their instruction and assessment practices.  
  • Work collaboratively with school staff and the community to improve the learning environment, provide support, and advocate for ELLs and their families.