ESL PROGRAM SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit ESL Specialist K-12 Program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The six graduate credit courses are offered in a hybrid model ranging in length from eight to twelve weeks. Three face-to-face meetings are scheduled during each course to build community and collaboration. The program embeds sixty hours of field experience (10 hours within each course) with all field experiences taking place within a classroom, school and/or community based setting.
Our ESL Program Specialist Certification is currently running on a school/district cohort basis. If you would like to inquire about starting or partnering on a cohort for your school/district, please contact Professional Development Advisor Lisa Cullen at lcullen@mciu.org.
Course 1 - Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
3 Graduate Credit Course
As the diverse population of the United States increasingly grows, it is important in our communities and public schools to develop cultural competence to overcome language and cultural barriers. This course is based upon knowledge of behaviors, beliefs and attitudes of a multicultural approach to learning. It also includes cultural awareness activities for promoting school staff understanding about other cultures and in comparison to American culture and strategies for working with English Language Learners. Participants will examine sociolinguistic aspects of U.S. and world cultures, sources of cross-cultural conflict, and approaches to cross-cultural conflict resolution as they relate to K-12 settings, their communities and the communities in which they teach.
Course 2 - Language Acquisition
3 Graduate Credit Course
The focus of this course is to develop knowledge and skills in the areas of structure of the English language, grammar, and pronunciation, including lexical, morphological, syntax, phonological and pragmatic components. Educators taking this course will develop knowledge of the process of first and second language acquisition, including developmental issues in verbal, nonverbal skills, and vocabulary. They will also develop knowledge and skills to assist ELLs to communicate using verbal and non-verbal language.
Course 3 - Literacy Acquisition
3 Graduate Credit Course
The purpose of this course is to help future ESL teachers develop an understanding of how ELLs acquire literacy in a second language and apply strategies to assist ELLs in the different stages of second language usage. Course competencies are aligned to understanding the five foundational components systemic to successful reading programs (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension), implementing differentiated writing instruction, and identification of effective strategies and techniques to improve literacy instruction for native English speakers and ELLs in K-12.
Course 4 - Observing and Planning Instruction to EL Students
3 Graduate Credit Course
Because ELL students come to us with a variety of backgrounds and at diverse levels of language acquisition, it is important for ESL teachers to have the knowledge and skills necessary to create a developmentally appropriate curricular program for all students. Upon completion of this course, teachers will be expected to design an ESL program tailored to meet the needs of each student. Participants will be able to identify appropriate materials and resources to be used with children at each level of English Proficiency.
Course 5 - Implementing and Managing Instruction to EL Students
3 Graduate Credit Course
Upon completion of this course, teachers will be expected to implement and revise instruction within an ESL program tailored to meet the needs of each student. Participants will be able to modify and employ appropriate materials and resources to be used with children at each level of English Proficiency and aligned with the newly revised Pennsylvania ELD Standards Frameworks and Can Do Descriptors.
Course 6 - Assessing ESL Students
3 Graduate Credit Course
Expand your knowledge of effective assessment practices and support services available for ELL students. Topics include effective assessment practices, purposes for assessment, multiple assessment models, use of evaluation techniques, scaffolding of assessments, and formal/informal assessment tools. Learn about the availability of school support services to assist ELLs in language acquisition and content learning. Discuss ways to promote parental/family involvement with their children’s education program. Gain hands-on experience in test administration, interpretation, and reporting. Individual education plans for ELLs identified as special education students will also be discussed.
Sample Schedule
Fall Start
(spread over 2 school years, approximately 19 months in duration)
Year 1
Course 1: September – November
Course 2: December – February
Course 3: March – May
Year 2
Course 4: September – November
Course 5: December – February
Course 6: March – May
Winter Start
(spread over 3 school years, approximately 24 months in duration)
Year 1
Course 1: January – March
Course 2: March – June
Year 2
Course 3: September – November
Course 4: February – April
Year 3
Course 5: August – October
Course 6: October – December
program admission requirements