2023-24 Academic Catalog

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement

Purpose

Students desiring to add an endorsement to their Oregon Teaching License can do so within the master of education program, or as a stand-alone program. Students desiring to add an authorization level only would complete the requirements below.

Program Outcomes

Educational Objectives

To enable students to:

  • Gain experience in the understanding and teaching of English to speakers of other languages.

Professional Objectives

To enable students to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, professional dispositions and cultural competencies necessary to promote the academic, career, personal and social development of students in ESOL learning environments.
  • Obtain the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement added to their teaching license.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement program must hold an approved bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

Applicants seeking to meet TSPC licensure requirements upon completion of the program must also complete the following:

  • Verification of valid Oregon teaching license or the equivalent, such as an expired or out-of-state license, education degree, or documented and appropriate teacher experience (applicants to the program that do not have a teaching license should submit a letter of explanation as to how the program would meet their professional goals.)
  • Completed Teachers Standards and Practices Character Questionnaire

Transfer Credit

Upon approval by the department, transfer of up to 3 hours credit is allowed toward the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement program from accredited graduate schools. Students must have earned a grade of B or better for a course to be considered for transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the registrar's office for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

Residence Requirements

Of the 15 hours required for the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement program, a minimum of 12 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. All work leading to the endorsement must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires approval of the College of Education Faculty. However, only one such extension may be considered due to special circumstances, such as ill health. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Course Requirements

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement program is generally 2 years in length with 15 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation. Of the total hours required for the program, 13 are in ESOL/bilingual courses and 2 hours of practica.

Other Program Requirements

In addition to the core requirements, students must complete the ORELA content area exam required by Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).

Graduation Requirements

In order to complete the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Achieve no grade lower than a B in all core courses. If a grade of a B- or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).

Curriculum Plan

Complete the following:

Examines the fundamental elements, processes, and patterns of oral and written language for the teacher of English to speakers of other languages. Topics include phonetics, phonology, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, morphology, orthography and writing conventions, syntax, semantics, and discourse analysis. English is the primary focus of the course, with reference to other languages commonly spoken by students in Oregon classrooms.
Examines various factors, concepts, and theories about first and second language acquisition processes and their interrelationships. The course also focuses on the application of this knowledge in ESOL classes for maximizing ESOL students' language development and academic achievement. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment in EDFL 570.
Examines the diverse and dynamic role of culture in the ESOL students' language development and academic achievement. The course also emphasizes the application of this knowledge for instruction and the involvement of community and its resources for maximizing ESOL students' academic achievement.
Examines strategies for planning, managing, and teaching English as a second language and discipline-focused content to ESOL students. Emphasis is placed on curriculum, teaching, and learning approaches that accommodate a diverse population within the classroom. This course also focuses on strategies for collaborating with educators and community members in order to provide comprehensive, challenging educational opportunities for ESOL students.
Examines principles, issues, and approaches useful for assessing the English competencies of ESOL students. Emphases are placed on developing appropriate assessment tools for the ESOL classroom and on properly interpreting tests that are used for program placement.

Complete the following:

Enrollment in a practicum requires successful completion of ESOL 570, ESOL 571, ESOL 572, and ESOL 573. ESOL 574 may be taken concurrently with the practicum course.
A supervised practicum in an approved school demonstrating knowledge and strategies developed in the ESOL courses. Candidates set goals for professional growth in the English-language teaching field. Prerequisites: successful completion of all required ESOL courses (or their equivalent).