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Loeb School of Education

Graduate - PA Certification: English as a Second Language (ESL) (K-12)

Contact: Dr. Monir Atta-Alla (mattaall@eastern.edu)

Program Description

The ESL certification is not an independent certification.  Candidates must hold or concurrently work on Instructional I or II teaching certificate in Elementary Education, English, Foreign Language, or Reading Specialist.  The successful completion of this program will prepare students to teach English as a Second Language in the elementary and secondary level (K-12).  This program may be combined with M. Ed. in Multicultural Education.

Program Goals

The purpose of the ESL Certification program is to prepare participants to become certified in Pennsylvania to provide ESL instruction in K-12 environments when this study is combined with elementary education, English, Foreign Language, or Reading Specialist certification.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:

  • Develop classroom enterprises best suited for academic and individual needs of ESL/ELL students.
  • Model professional and ethical decision making that benefits their student community.
  • Fulfill professional responsibilities that will increase student achievement and promote professional and personal growth for students, colleagues, and themselves.

Distinctives

  • The program integrates Eastern University’s mission of faith, justice, and reason to promote educational equity and social justice.
  • The completion time of the ESL Certification program ranges between one to maximum seven years.
  • The flexible program design accommodates students who manage busy schedules or who live in different time zones.
  • Classes are offered in fall, spring, and summer semesters.
  • Applicants can enter Eastern University ESL Certification program at multiple points throughout the year.
  • Some courses may be taken in an online environment.

PA Certification Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements before being recommended for a PA certification in their certification area.  Your employing school district will apply the certificate on your behalf.

  • Your certificate (Elementary Education, English, Foreign Language, or Reading Specialist).
  • An exiting GPA of 3.0
  • Successful Completion of course requirements in their certification area

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Course Requirements

Fulfill the following course requirements:

Course Number

Course Name

Credit

EDU 512

TESOL Methods with Field Experience

3

EDU 514

Theories of Second Language Acquisition 

3

EDU 517

Multicultural Education 

3

EDU 522 OR
EDU 600 OR
EDU 601 OR
EDU 603

Language Testing and Materials Development OR
Early Literacy Foundations OR
Literacy Foundations for Intermediate Grades OR
Reading Strategies for Middle and Secondary Content Area

3

LAN 510

Linguistics 

3

EDU 550

ESL Field Experience (or Portfolio) 

3


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