Why Elms for your English as a Second Language degree?

  • 100% employment rate (class of 2019)
  • Your initial teaching license qualifies you to begin teaching in Massachusetts and more than 40 states, islands, and territories.
  • Hone your teaching skills as a bilingual educator skilled in language acquisition, linguistics, and intercultural communication.

The English as a second language (ESL) teacher preparation program is based on the philosophy that proficiency in English is essential to prosper in American society.

The English as a second language (ESL) teacher preparation program is based on the philosophy that being proficient in two languages is not only an asset, but also a necessity in today’s global community. In our program, you become skilled in teaching English and learn to be comfortable reading, writing, and conversing in a foreign language. We educate competent and caring ESL teachers who understand migrant and immigrant students, who know how to effectively develop the English skills of these students, and who know how to teach content areas to their students using sheltered ESL methodologies.

ESL majors at Elms complete rigorous coursework relating to first and second language acquisition, linguistics, language assessment, methods of teaching ESL, and the historical, philosophical, and legal bases for ESL and bilingual education. They also become skilled in an advanced use of the English language and in a foreign language to at least a novice level of college proficiency. Massachusetts’ curriculum frameworks at the candidate’s level of licensure are understood and implemented with appropriate sheltered ESL methodologies. Graduates have gone on to teach in schools or pursue master’s degrees in English as a second language.

Teachers of English as a second language will:

  • Have excellent command of the English language, appropriate for an Elms College graduate.
  • Understand and apply theories of second language acquisition.
  • Know the principles of linguistics, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of American English and its many variations.
  • Explain the basic differences between English and other languages.
  • Apply theories and methods of instruction in reading and writing in a second language.
  • Effectively teach academic content to English language learners, combining the four language skills in interactive approaches.
  • Utilize the curriculum frameworks at the appropriate level to plan instruction.
  • Employ sound language assessment procedures.
  • Select, administer, and interpret language assessment instruments.
  • Outline the historical and legal bases for ELL. and bilingual education.
  • Be knowledgeable about, and sensitive to, cross-cultural issues.
  • Possess fluency at an intermediate college level in a language other than English.

Quick Info

Initial teaching licenses earned at Elms College qualify candidates to begin teaching in Massachusetts and more than 40 states, islands, and territories.

Curriculum

Click to view course requirements for the English as a Second Language (PreK-6) (B.A.).

NOTE: In addition to the courses for ESL listed above, intermediate college-level proficiency in a language other than English is required. At Elms College, this proficiency means completion of SPA 2001-2002 (formerly SPA 201-202) or its equivalent.

Major Requirements (69 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
EDU 1000Introduction to Schooling and Education3
EDU 1008Writing for Educators3
PSY 2104Children’s Learning and Development3
EDU 3109Students with Special Needs3
EDU 4908Language & Literacy Development I3
EDU 4909Language & Literacy Development II3
EDU 4407Bilingualism and Applied Linguistics3
EDU 3502Issues in ESL/Bilingualism3
EDU 3101Writing Workshop3
EDU 3004Methods of Teaching Mathematics3
EDU 3505Methods of Teaching ESL3
EDU 3600Seminar in Professional Education3
EDU 4502AESL PreK-6 Initial Practicum12
SOC 3106SOC 3106 (formerly SOC 316) Racial and Ethnic Groups or SPA 4102 (formerly SPA 412) Hispanic Cultures in the U.S.3
EDU 3002Social Studies and Science Methods3
EDU 4106Technology in Education3
EDU 3704Issues of Diversity in Children’s Literature3
EDU 4203Pre-Practicum5
EDU 4204Pre-Practicum Seminar1
EDU 4308No Fault Classroom Management3

Click to view course requirements for the English as a Second Language (5-12) (B.A.).

NOTE: In addition to the courses for ESL listed above, intermediate college-level proficiency in a language other than English is required. At Elms College, this proficiency means completion of SPA 2001-2002 (formerly SPA 201-202) or its equivalent.

Major Requirements (72 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
EDU 1000Introduction to Schooling and Education3
EDU 1008Writing for Educators3
PSY 2104Children’s Learning and Development3
EDU 3109Students with Special Needs3
EDU 3502Issues in E.S.L./Bilingualism3
EDU 4407Bilingualism and Applied Linguistics3
EDU 4908Language & Literacy Development I3
EDU 4909Language & Literacy Development II3
EDU 3101Writing Workshop3
EDU 3300Middle and Secondary Culture and Curriculum3
EDU 3505Methods in Teaching E.S.L.3
EDU 3600Seminar in Professional Education3
EDU 4503AESL 5-12 Initial Practicum12
SOC 3106SOC 3106 (formerly SOC 316) Racial and Ethnic Groups or SPA 4102 (formerly SPA 412) Hispanic Cultures in the U.S.3
Choose OneEDU 3004 Methods of Teaching Mathematics
EDU 3002 Social Studies & Science Method
EDU 4309 Literacy Across Discipliness
3
EDU 3704Issues of Diversity in Children’s Literature3
EDU 4106Technology in Education3
EDU 4203Pre-Practicum5
EDU 4204Pre-Practicum Seminar1
EDU 4308No Fault Classroom Management3
EDU 3700Middle/Secondary Methods3