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 (54 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU 1000 | EDU 100 | Introduction to Schooling and Education | 3 |
| EDU 1008 | EDU 108 | Writing for Educators | 3 |
| PSY 2104 | PSY 214 | Children’s Learning and Development | 3 |
| EDU 3109 | EDU 319 | Students with Special Needs | 3 |
| EDU 4908 | EDU 498 | Developing Language & Literacy I | 3 |
| EDU 4909 | EDU 499 | Developing Language & Literacy II | 3 |
| EDU 4407 | EDU 447 | Bilingualism and Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| EDU 3502 | EDU 352 | Issues in ESL/Bilingualism | 3 |
| EDU 3101 | EDU 311 | Writing Workshop | 3 |
| EDU 4306 | EDU 436 | Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDU 3805 | EDU 385 | Inquiry-based Science Methods | 3 |
| EDU 3004 | EDU 304 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
| EDU 3505 | EDU 355 | Methods of Teaching ESL | 3 |
| EDU 3600 | EDU 360 | Seminar in Professional Education | 3 |
| EDU 4502A | EDU 452A | ESL PreK-6 Initial Practicum | 9 |
| SOC 3106 (formerly SOC 316) Racial and Ethnic Groups or SPA 4102 (formerly SPA 412) Hispanic Cultures in the U.S. | 3 |
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 (45 credits)
| Course # | Formerly | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU 1000 | EDU 100 | Introduction to Schooling and Education | 3 |
| EDU 1008 | EDU 108 | Writing for Educators | 3 |
| PSY 2104 | PSY 214 | Children’s Learning and Development | 3 |
| EDU 3109 | EDU 319 | Students with Special Needs | 3 |
| EDU 3502 | EDU 352 | Issues in E.S.L./Bilingualism | 3 |
| EDU 4407 | EDU 447 | Bilingualism and Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| EDU 4908 | EDU 498 | Developing Language & Literacy I | 3 |
| EDU 4909 | EDU 499 | Developing Language & Literacy II | 3 |
| EDU 3101 | EDU 311 | Writing Workshop | 3 |
| EDU 3300 | EDU 330 | Secondary Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 3505 | EDU 355 | Methods in Teaching E.S.L. | 3 |
| EDU 3600 | EDU 360 | Seminar in Professional Education | 3 |
| EDU 4503A | EDU 453A | ESL 5-12 Initial Practicum | 9 |
| SOC 3106 (formerly SOC 316) Racial and Ethnic Groups or SPA 4102 (formerly SPA 412) Hispanic Cultures in the U.S. | 3 |