English as a Second Language (ESL) for Teachers
Penn State’s five-course, 15-credit program was designed to help you meet the state’s certification requirements for ESL teachers. Completion of this program can help you enhance your teaching credentials as you help English Language Learners (ELLs) students to improve their English language skills.
Who Should Attend: This program is for teachers who hold a Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II certificate and desire to obtain ESL Program Specialist designation, or who wish to take selected courses for professional development in language acquisition skills.
About the Program
- a five-course program for educators who wish to be ESL-certified instructors in Pennsylvania
- approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for ESL Program Specialist Certificate
- apply courses toward a master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language at either Penn State York or Penn State Berks
- Pennsylvania Act 48
- Penn State is an Act 48-approved provider
Courses: This certificate consists of 15 credits of required coursework focusing on English as a second language instruction/services. Below are the courses that are included in the program.
Foundations of Language in Second Language Teaching
WL ED 400 (3 credits)
Critical understanding of basic concepts and principles in second language acquisition and teaching.
Language, Culture, and the Classroom: Issues for Practitioners
WL ED 444 (3 credits)
Critical understanding of cultural linguistic diversity to facilitate the inclusion of English Language Learners in a globalized classroom.
Evaluating Schools’ Performances and Programs with English Language Learners
WL ED 483 (3 credits)
Use and adapt multiple techniques to assess English Language Learners (ELLs) language and other school subjects.
Functional-Discourse Grammar
APLNG 484 (3 credits)
Develop a working knowledge of the structure of English and apply such knowledge to research and/or classroom situations.
Teaching English as a Second Language
APLNG 493 (3 credits)
Theory, research, and pedagogy that focus on the teaching of English to speakers of other languages in varied contexts.