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ESL Endorsement

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ESL Endorsement

As an educator, you have the opportunity to inspire, encourage and empower your students in the classroom and beyond. The ESL endorsement invites you into an intentional learning community that equips you with the practical knowledge and experience to make a difference for your students. Go beyond just earning credits and experience a Christ-centered community as you collaborate with fellow educators. Designed for certified teachers, this ESL endorsement opens up new opportunities for you to extend your influence to transform the lives of your students.

Format

  • Online

Location

  • Online

Credit Hours

  • 24

Admission Requirements

  • Application
  • A completed bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA from an accredited institution
  • Official college and/or military transcripts

Careers

Inspire others to reach their potential by starting with yourself. With an ESL endorsement, you open up a wide range of teaching opportunities, from kindergarten to high school. Serve in classrooms that need influencers like you, whether you’re there right now or you aspire toward something new. Current educators can pursue their path as an ESL teacher through this endorsement.

$14K

Estimated tuition and fees, visit Tuition & Financial Aid for more information.

90%

Of students work full time while pursuing a degree.

8

Courses included in the program.

Courses

Engage in practical and foundational course work that inspires you to serve the needs of others through teaching English. Each course is anchored in Christ-centered virtues, which invites you to flourish as a positive influence in your unique context.

Core Courses

LIN-565 TESOL Methodology I

An examination of various methods and techniques used to teach language components (grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation) and language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Practice in developing and implementing balanced and effective language lesson plans will be provided along with evaluating and selecting appropriate ESL teaching materials to match various ESL audiences and teaching contexts.

LIN-525 Introduction to Linguistics

An introduction to the nature and structure of human language. Students focus on the goals, techniques and subject matter of modern linguistics.

LIN-555 Sociolinguistics

An examination of language in its social and cultural contexts. This course presents the basic socio-cultural variables (such as gender, age and social status) and shows their relation to language use and language learning. Areas covered in the course include bilingualism, dialectology, language variation and style with their relation to multilingual educational situations.

LIN-556 Second Language Acquisition

An examination of the process of learning a second language. This course surveys current SLA theory and learning models. Emphasis is given to the ways these theories and models shape pedagogical practices in ESL classrooms. Linguistic, cognitive, affective, cultural and social factors influencing the acquisition of another language are explored.

LIN-559 TESOL Lab

In this course, participants will apply their theoretical learning within their own classroom environments via a lab course. This course will follow a three or four-member peer-coaching format through which students will choose focus areas of instruction that they would like to grow. They will then work through a teach, record, reflect, share and peer-coach process with their team. The goal is individual growth through peer encouragement and accountability.

LIN-594 TESOL Capstone
A capstone course designed to allow students to integrate various principles of the TESOL program. This course includes two possible tracks: thesis or non-thesis. Students seeking a Michigan Department of Education endorsement are required to choose the non-thesis option, which includes 60 hours of practicum. Prerequisite: LIN-565

Second Language Writing Instruction Micro-Credential

This micro-credential is designed for educators who aspire to serve students in second language learning with an emphasis on written communication.

LIN-571 Pedagogy of L2 Writing Instruction and Assessment

This course will provide K-6 and 7-12 grade teachers with a theoretical and pedagogical framework for (1) identifying and addressing the needs of second language writers in their classrooms and (2) establishing assessment strategies that effectively provide feedback to L2 writers and assessment washback for teachers. This course framework will build on recommended evidence-based teaching strategies related to writing fluency and the writing process development, including writing for a variety of purposes, using a Model-Practice-Reflect instructional style and using student assessment to inform instruction.

LIN-572 Grammar and Vocabulary Instruction for L2 Writers

This course will provide K-6 and 7-12 grade teachers with the theoretical and pedagogical framework for (1) identifying the structural and lexical needs of their second language writers and (2) developing instructional strategies and assessment that effectively target and assess these needs. This course framework will build on recommended evidence-based teaching strategies (from What Works Clearinghouse) related to word-level and sentence-level issues of second language writers, including learners’ orthographic, lexical and grammatical instructional needs.

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching Micro-Credential

This micro-credential is designed for educators in a K-12 environment with a particular emphasis on understanding the diverse cultural backgrounds of students as a way to support their growth and success.

LIN-573 Culturally Responsive Teaching

This course prepares educators in all grade levels and content areas with culturally responsive teaching strategies for learners at all levels. The course covers the value of identifying the needs of diverse learners and then adapting instruction in a culturally appropriate way to support groups and individuals. This course is based on current best practices and evidence-based instructional strategies.

LIN-574 Linguistically Responsive Teaching

This course prepares educators in all grade levels and content areas with linguistically responsive teaching strategies for learners at all levels. The course covers the value of identifying the needs of diverse learners and then adapting instruction in a linguistically appropriate way to support groups and individuals. This course is based on current best practices and evidence-based instructional strategies.

Steps for Michigan Teachers

After finishing the ESL endorsement or M.A. in TESOL program, you’ll need to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification’s English as a Second Language (086) test. Computer-based MTTC testing is available by appointment year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays). To add your ESL credentials to your teaching certificate, you’ll need to begin the process by submitting your application through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).

In addition to learning from books and from others, I also learned a great deal about myself. The entire process has given me more confidence.

Jane Porter (M.A. ’19)

Related Programs

At Cornerstone University, we’re passionate about welcoming you into a learning community designed to help you reach your full potential. Take your education further with additional programs designed for both educators and community leaders.

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