Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English as a Second Language Certificate


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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.

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.
  • EDUC 493   (3 credits needed) (1)
    Teacher candidates must take EDUC 493   in order to apply for ESL certification from the state of Pennsylvania. EDUC 493   is only offered as a face to face field placement 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,EDUC 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 EDUC 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 if approved by the instructor, program coordinator, and mentor teacher. 

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