English as a Second Language Certificate

Prepares students to teach English as a second or other language through a focus on structures and uses of English, the role of sociocultural contexts in language learning, second language acquisition theory, and practices and materials for use in the ESL classroom. Completing the 12-credit program will enable students from multiple majors to pursue teaching English in a variety of domestic and international contexts. Teacher candidates seeking ESL state certification take an additional three credit field experience course during which they are placed in a P-12 ESL classroom.

Required Courses:

ENGL 415 - English Language Study for Teachers Credits: 3
ENGL 424 - Second Language Acquisition Credits: 3
ENGL 426 - ESL Methods and Materials Credits: 3
ENGL 442 - Cross-Cultural Communication Credits: 3
The above courses may be offered as DE courses or face to face.

For Teacher Candidates:

If students are majoring in an education program that leads to PDE certification, additional requirements apply:

See requirements leading to teacher certification, titled “3-Step Process for Teacher Education,” in the College of Education and Communications section of this catalog. These steps must be fulfilled in order to apply for add-on ESL certification.
ENGL 493 (3 credits needed) (1)
Teacher candidates must take ENGL 493 in order to apply for ESL certification from the state of Pennsylvania. ENGL 493 is only offered as a face to face course.
Candidates must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in all certificate courses and a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Total Certificate Requirements: 12-15

(1) The field experience, ENGL 493 , requires 60 hours of direct work with English Language Learners (ELLs), a minimum of 30 hours of which must be in an approved public school classroom setting. Students sign up for ENGL 493 in fall. A minimum of 30 hours in the classroom must be completed in the fall. The remaining 30 hours (if the full 60 are not completed in the classroom in fall) may be continued into spring. The remaining 30 hours could be completed in a variety of approved settings, including after-school clubs that provide ESL tutoring and other community locations that offer services to ELLs.