Program Requirements

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Program Requirements (3 credits each)

ESL 501* Approaches to Teaching Second Languages (prerequisite course)
ESL 503* Second Language Assessment (prerequisite course) (15 hours field experience)
ESL 501 and 503 are prerequisite courses. They may be taken together or separately in either order, but must be completed prior to enrolling in other ESL courses.
ESL 502* Language Concepts for Second Language Learning and Teaching
ESL 506* Teaching the Four Skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (15 hours field experience)
ESL 508* Second Language Program Development (30 hours Field Experience)
ESL 504 Intercultural Communication for Language Teachers
ESL 505 Second Language Acquisition
ESL 507 Sociolinguistics and Second Language Acquisition
ESL 509 Computer-Assisted Language Learning
ESL 512 ESL Teaching and Evaluation Theory
(* Required for ESL Specialist Letter of Endorsement)

PA ESL Program Specialist Courses (after completing these courses, students possessing Instructional Level 1 or 2 certification may apply for ESL Program specialist certification through the TIMS website)

ESL 501 APPROACHES TO TEACHING SECOND LANGUAGES - 3 CREDITS
This course will survey the field of methodology in second language teaching. Students will examine past and present second language learning and teaching experiences in a variety of contexts. The course does not promote any particular approach to second language teaching but rather presents an overview and examples of some approaches in the field of teaching second and foreign languages. Prerequisite course to all other ESL courses
ESL 502 LANGUAGE CONCEPTS FOR SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING - 3 CREDITS
This course introduces some instrumental concepts of linguistics, examining phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse structure, with a focus on their importance to the teaching of foreign or second languages. Students will examine a wide range of concepts and discuss the many different approaches to the study of language, including those which stress the communicative and social aspect.
ESL 503 – SECOND LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT  - 3 CREDITS (15 Hour Field Experience)
This course introduces the key concepts of second language assessment, including validity, reliability; standards based instruction, standardized testing, and second language test design and evaluation. Students will participate in a 15 hour field experience culminating in a comprehensive case student of second language assessment policies.
ESL 506 TEACHING THE FOUR SKILLS, READING,WRITING, LISTENING, SPEAKING (15 hour field experience)  - 3 CREDITS
This course will introduce the most important concepts of teaching English to second language learners and contain assignments to be completed in the field. Participants will examine the teaching of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. Additionally, participants will learn how to assess student needs, develop syllabi, design supplemental materials and emerge from the class with an ample number of high quality lesson plans. Students will apply theory by designing practical English as a Second Language lessons. This course requires a 15 hour field experience.
ESL 508 SECOND LANGAUGE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT (30 hour field work) - 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice required for developing and implementing second language programs. Students will examine language policies and the role of language learning and how it impacts on textbook selection and curricular design. The course provides students the opportunity to explore the intricacies involved in developing and implementing English as a Second Language programs, and raises awareness of the cultural conflicts and biases, both social and linguistic, faced by newcomer, multilingual students. Students will apply their understanding of these issues in field-based assignments and by engaging in a curriculum and assessment planning process for a specific context. This is the capstone course for ESL certification and requires a 30 hour field experience.

Additional 15 credits for Master’s in TESOL Degree


ESL 504 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS - 3 CREDITS
This course examines contemporary theories of language and linguistics as they apply to communication. Students will discuss the theoretical aspects of language and culture; communicative competence, intercultural competence, and intercultural contact; issues of diversity and the impact these have on the language classroom and the language teacher. Emphasis will be placed on language and social interaction and pragmatics.
ESL 505 SECOND LANGUAGE - 3 CREDITS
This course aims to review current topics and research in the field of second language acquisition and to explore relationships between theory and practice. The course covers strategies, and styles of language development and looks at significant linguistic factors that influence the development of language in second language learners. Participants are exposed to the major theoretical issues, the latest areas of research, and the major methodologies in the field.
ESL 507 SOCIOLINGUISTICS AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION - 3 CREDITS
This course examines concepts and issues in the field of sociolinguistics, with the main focus remaining on second language teaching and learning. Topics covered include the sociology of language, the ethnography of communication, pragmatics, and discourse and conversational analysis. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of these issues through discussion, field research, and a final research paper containing a literature review and a design for an action research study that could be conducted in a second language classroom. 
ESL 509 COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING - 3 CREDITS
This course focuses on the theory and practical application of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in second language teaching. Areas covered in the course include: an analysis of the history of CALL, current approaches used, exposure to various CALL software, and an introduction to on-line language teaching and learning. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the material covered by developing a CALL project for second language learners.
ESL 512 ESL TEACHING AND EVALUATION FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE - 3 CREDITS
This capstone course provides practical field experience in lesson planning, L1/L2 research, administration, evaluation of teaching, curriculum and assessment, and the opportunity to reflect on applying theory to practice in the field of TESOL. A culminating portfolio documenting evaluation experiences and demonstration of expertise in the field of TESOL will be constructed and