This degree program prepares candidates for a career as an English as a second language (ESL) classroom teacher, English as a second language resource teacher, or a teacher responsible for providing English as a second language instruction and support in the regular classroom or special settings. Candidates gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions for developing English as a second language skills across reading, writing, and listening, and for involving community and families as partners. They will also leave the program with a historical perspective of English learners in the United Sates Candidates will develop specific skills for assessing English learner proficiency and content area knowledge, and knowledge of various program models. They will become familiar with current research in English as a second language instruction, and understand how theory can be structured in classroom practice to develop the oral language and literacy skills of all students.
The demand for such skills is growing across the country. Students won't need to demonstrate language proficiency in a second language. However, if they decide to earn either the bilingual endorsement or the English as a second language endorsement, students will need to fulfill the language proficiency and teacher certification requirements of these endorsements.
