Graduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (Grades K–12)

In this course, education professionals gain a historical and cultural perspective of K–12 English-language learners. They explore concepts, theories, research, and first and second language acquisition differences to understand and teach this diverse group of  students. Education professionals also examine their own attitudes, beliefs, and biases and learn the importance of developing culturally responsive learning environments. They also learn the value of working collaboratively with families and school staff to support the needs of all students in the general classroom.

Education professionals in this course learn effective instructional skills and strategies to teach English as a second language in the K–12 classroom. Through conceptual and practical discussions and activities, they learn strategies and techniques to help students develop listening, speaking, reading, writing, and vocabulary skills in a variety of English-language learning environments. They also examine a range of language-learning programs, such as dual language immersion, transitional bilingual education, and structured English immersion. Additionally, education professionals learn to apply theories of second-language learning, literacy development, and standards-based teaching strategies to provide productive learning environments for English-language learners in general classroom settings.

Making academic content accessible and comprehensible for English Language Learners requires specific strategies that K-12 teachers need to know and be able to do. By focusing on academic language, content acquisition, the use of adaptive technology, and English language models including Specifically Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE), teachers learn practical ways to meet content standards for students with diverse needs, learning styles, and abilities.  This course also addresses ways to prepare lessons that integrate both content and literacy objectives to better enhance the English language development of their English Language Learners.

This course introduces a variety of formative and summative assessment tools to inform instruction and identify and evaluate language proficiency levels of English Language Learners in K-12 classrooms. Teaching professionals utilize assessment strategies designed to measure listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Topics include an overview of the challenges and issues teachers face, including language bias and testing, the inappropriate placement of English Language Learners, and the role of standards and high-stakes testing. Teachers will be able to interpret quantitative and qualitative assessment data results of both formal and informal assessments.