TESOL classroom

TESOL: Initial Certification

Program Description:

TESOL programs at Nazareth College are committed to the preparation of professional educators whose expertise provides broad and rich support to the education of students from language backgrounds other than English. The program faculty recognizes the tremendous diversity of languages, cultures, learning styles and preferences and forms of knowledge which English Language Learners bring to their educational experiences, and celebrates that diversity as a resource to all learners.

While the primary responsibility of the ESOL educator is to help students achieve full proficiency in English, the Nazareth TESOL programs also strive to prepare ESOL educators who:

  • develop deep understanding of their students, and combine this understanding with knowledge about language and about first and second language acquisition
  • design and implement learning experiences which promote both the development of English language proficiency and mastery of the concepts and skills necessary for academic success and the fulfillment of personal potential
  • address not only language, but also the academic and socio-cultural and self-advocacy needs of diverse English Language Learners.

To accomplish these goals, ESOL educators must be grounded in a broad knowledge of the curriculum, and must especially attend to the development of literacy. Learners from language backgrounds other than English use their knowledge of their first language to achieve proficiency in additional languages; therefore ESOL educators must be prepared to assist students in exploring the connections between their native language and literacy and English.

Certification:

Students who successfully complete this program will receive New York State Initial Teacher Certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages (Pre-K through 12, all grades).

Admission Requirements:

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a B average in the major field. An applicant who does not meet these grade point average expectations must address then in his/her personal statement: please see the Personal Statement section of the admissions application form for further information.
  2. Presentation of official transcripts.
  3. Two letters of recommendation.
  4. Application and fee.
  5. Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
  6. Twelve (12) credit hours of a language other than English.

Click Here for the Graduate Program Application

Required Course Credits: 46 credit hours

Required Courses:

Course Course Title Credits Fieldwork
Core Courses: (6 credits)
EDU 501 Social Foundations of Education 3 No
EDU 520 Teacher-Learner Research and Inquiry 3 No
Extended Core Courses: (15 credits)
INCL 501 Introduction to Diverse Learners and Learning 3 30 hrs.
INCL 502 Differentiated Planning, Teaching, and Assessment 3 No
LTED 601 Foundations of Language and Literacy 3 No
INCL 521 Creating and Managing Productive Learning Environments 3 20 hrs.
EDTS 523 Introduction to Educational Technology 3 No
EDU 095 Orientation to Personal Electronic Portfolio and Electronic Resource System 0 No
TESOL Program Courses: (15 credits)
TSL 603 Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition 3 15 hrs.
TSL 604 Foundations of Bilingual Multicultural Education 3 No
TSL 605 Culture and Context in TESOL/Bilingual Curriculum Assessment 3 No
TSL 611 Principles and Practices of TESOL 3 35 hrs.
TSL 620 Language and Literacy Development for English Language Learners 3 No
Student Teaching and Integrative Seminar: (4 credits)
TSL 526 Student Teaching/Seminar in TESOL (elementary and secondary) 4 No
Capstone Course: (3 credits)
EDU 690 Capstone Seminar 3 No


To view course descriptions in the Graduate Catalog, click here.

Program Director:

Dr. Cindy McPhail
Office: GAC, Room 294
Phone: (585) 389-2607
Fax: (585) 586-2452
cmcphai2@naz.edu

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