This course is designed for teachers of English Learners (ELs). Educators taking this course will develop knowledge and skills in the areas of the structure of the English language, including grammar (syntax), pronunciation and semantics, as well as morphological, phonological and pragmatic components of the language.

Educators taking this course will develop knowledge of the process of first and second language acquisition, including developmental issues in verbal and non-verbal skills and accompanying strategies to help ELs overcome difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication.

This course is based upon knowledge of behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of a multicultural approach to learning. Cultural awareness is a basic level on a scale from concrete or visible culture to deep culture for promoting school staff understanding about other cultures. Course participants will be required to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and practices of English as a Second Language instruction as related to cultural awareness based on the course learning outcomes. 

This course is designed for teachers of English Language Learners. Because ELL students come to us with a variety of backgrounds and at diverse levels of language acquisition, it is important for ESL teachers to have the knowledge and skills necessary to create and implement a developmentally appropriate curricular program for all students.

This course is based on effective assessment practices for English language learners. It will cover the purposes of assessment, assessment tools, assessment scaffolds and strategies for assessing English language learners with disabilities. This course will cover large scale and classroom based assessments. Course participants will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and practices of English as a Second Language instruction as related to assessment.

After having completed the four pre-requisite courses, the participants are ready to engage in the field experience practicum. This practicum offers an opportunity to engage students, teachers, administrators, parents and family, and the community. As the participants engage with the students, so they will continue to acquire the target language, English, remember the whole child. This experience will be very rewarding for you as well as for the students who will always remember you.