Teachers who earn a certificate or graduate degree in ESL will be prepared to meet the needs of the "fastest growing group of students in the United States today". Through ESL programs, teachers will learn ESL methodologies, techniques and strategies, assessment skills, and communication skils. Although a teacher doesn't have to be bilingual, she must have specific knowledge to effectively work with ELLs (English Language Learner).

No State requires ALL general education teachers to be ESL certified or endorsed. However, school districts that have particularly large ELL populations may require an ESL endorsement from general education teachers. >> Read more on ELLs and Meeting their Needs

ESL / ESOL - Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)
The pedagogy of language acquisition is of extreme importance in today's classrooms and businesses. This18 credit hour CAGS provides the knowledge base to build successful programs to enhance the learning of the English language, to assess skills of diverse students and to design instruction with bilingual materials. A practicum is possible for this level of study in English as a Second Language. (Note: Learners seeking ESL/ESOL certification should verify with appropriate state officials that this CAGS meets applicable certification requirements.) >> Request Info

Courses in the English as a Second Language/English for Speakers of Other Languages CAGS program include:

• Foundations of Instruction
• Evaluation of Diverse Learners
• Bilingual Instructional Methods
• Developing Curriculum for ESOL Learners
• Curriculum Development for ESL/Bilingual

ESL / ESOL - MEd
As the diversity of student populations change globally, teaching English as a second language is a skill in high demand. This program enhances skills in communicating with speakers of other languages and integrating techniques to successfully instruct students in English proficiency. (Note: Learners seeking ESL/ESOL certification should verify with appropriate state officials that this specialization meets applicable certification requirements.) >> Request Info

ESL / ESOL - EdD
The pedagogy of language acquisition is of extreme importance in today's classrooms and businesses. This specialization provides the knowledge base to build successful programs to enhance the learning of the English language, to assess skills of diverse students and to design instruction with bilingual materials. A practicum is possible for this level of study in English as a Second Language. (Note: Learners seeking ESL/ESOL certification should verify with appropriate state officials that this specialization meets applicable certification requirements.) >> Request Info

Applied Linguistics - Master of Arts
UMass Online's Master's in Applied Linguistics is a 30-credit program focuses on the acquisition of English as a second or subsequent language, as well as cross-cultural relationships and interethnic communication. The program's interdisciplinary core curriculum includes courses in basic and contrastive linguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and cross cultural perspectives, together with courses on teaching methodology for elementary, secondary, and adult education programs.

Students choose from two concentrations: English as a Second Language (ESL), Foreign Language Pedagogy (FL).

Education / C & I / English as a Second Language - MA
The Curriculum and Instruction Program is a graduate degree for bachelor prepared individuals who wish to develop and enhance their curriculum and instruction repertoire. The program encompasses the study of curricular planning and development with an integration of technology, assessment and evaluation practices, strategies for effective classroom instruction for a variety of learners and critical issues within the field of education. The English as a Second Language (ESL) specialization focuses on instructional methods and materials for teaching English as a second language; theories for the acquisition of a second language; testing and evaluation of students studying English as a second language; and developing curriculum for English as a second language students.

California Teachers of English Language Learners - Certificate
This certificate program is aligned directly to the Candidate Competency Standards and the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL). The curriculum is designed around the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL), and provides candidates with a depth of knowledge regarding current research-based theories and research in the specialized instruction of English language development (ELD).

UOP's CLAD certificate program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements will not need to take the State CLAD examination.

Continuing Teacher Education Courses
UOP offers 100% online ESL related teacher education courses. These are for educators pursuing CEU credits or further training and education without committing to a degree program.

• Foundations of Instruction for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students
• Assessment of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students
• Linguistics
• Methods of Bilingual Education
• Experiencing Multi-Cultural Art
• Structured English Immersion
• Advanced SEI Methods
• Spanish for Educators Part I
• Spanish for Educators Part II
• Methods for English as a Second Language
• School, Community, and Culture
• Teaching Reading and Writing to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - MEd
The Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is a program designed for already certified teachers or administrators with an interest in teaching ESL students in the classroom or serving as a district ESL coordinator. The format and courses of the regionally accredited program are tailored to the adult learner, who is a certified teacher or administrator, and to maximize strengths that the working educator possesses. Courses are taught by experts in their respective fields who share experience in areas of linguistics, second language acquisition, and curriculum development. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research throughout the program, but particularly in an unsupervised internship which guides students through observational and practice based experiences. Graduates of the program are prepared to become leaders in the ESL/TESOL initiatives districts must undertake in an ever increasing school climate of diversity.

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) - Certificate
The PDE approved Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate program is an add-on certificate available to students that currently possess a K-12 teaching certificate and want to become instructors of English as a Second Language. Credits earned through this program may be applied toward the MS in the Science of Instruction. The 12-credit TESL certificate program covers the theory and practice of second language education, the structure and sound of English, the design and assessment of ESL course materials, as well as broader issues in intercultural learning. It does not require that the instructor speak another language. Credits earned through this program may be applied toward the MS in the Science of Instruction.

K-12 English as a Second Language - MEd
The MEd in K-12 ESL Education degree program is designed for licensed educators who are interested in pursuing an additional endorsement as a teacher of students who are learning English as a second language. Candidates find coursework designed to augment their professional knowledge, skills and aptitude. This degree program is ideal for an in-service teacher or a licensed applicant who is interested in linguistically diverse education; and who holds a bachelor's degree or higher from a four-year accepted institution of higher education.

• K-12 ESL - MEd (Teacher Licensure)
• K-12 ESL: Bilingual Education - MEd
• K-12 ESL: Bilingual Education - MEd (Teacher Licensure)