Teaching English Language Learners Minor and Endorsement

Program Contact

Dr. Abigail Bremer

Accredited Online Coursework

Schools across the nation, including North Dakota, are experiencing an increase in linguistic diversity. In North Dakota, English Language Learners (ELLs) represent over 106 language groups. Sixty-four percent of ELLs speak one of the following languages: Spanish, Ojibwa, Dakota, Siouan, and Somali. The other 36% of ELLs represent the remaining 101 languages (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2012). Students working to develop their English language proficiency account for over 5% of the total school enrollment (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2013).

Federal and State legislation require school districts to provide language support and ELL programs to assist students who lack English language proficiency (ND Department of Public Instruction, 2012). The increasing number of English language learners poses new challenges for school districts, predominantly rural regions. Teachers that serve ELL students require an ELL endorsement. The ELL endorsement is also an ideal preparation for those wishing to teach English language arts overseas and provide valuable experience in language acquisition.

Study Online

All coursework leading to both the Endorsement and the Minor in ELL is offered online from VCSU.

Practical Experience

The coursework requires a 60-hour ELL practicum where student will observe, teach, and assess ELL students under the supervision of an endorsed ELL teacher. This allows pre-service teachers the opportunity to actively work with the populations that they will teach, and often the pre-service teachers are hired by the same school systems in which they perform their ELL practicum.

Required Courses

Minor

Required Courses Credits EDUC 283 Understanding Culture Diversity in Education 3 EDUC 361 Foundations of Bilingual/Multicultural Ed 2 EDUC 363 Assessing ELL Proficiency 2 EDUC 390 Methods of Teaching ELL 2 EDUC 464 Practicum in the ELL Classroom 2 ENGL 309 Linguistics & Language Acquisition 3 ENGL 409 Language & Culture 3 Electives Credits COMM 216 Intercultural Communication 3 EDUC 313 Language Growth & Development 2 ENGL 300 Grammatical Analysis 3 ENGL 350 Young Adult Reading & Literature 3

Foreign Language Requirement for Minor

In addition, students must complete one semester or equivalent (one year of high school foreign language study or other as determined by the Department Chair) of college level study in non-native language.

Endorsement

Required Courses Credits EDUC 283 Cultural Diversity in Education 3 EDUC 361 Foundations of Bilingual and Multicultural Education 2 EDUC 363 Assessing ELL Proficiency 2 EDUC 390 Methods of Teaching ELL 2 EDUC 464 Practicum in the ELL Classroom 2 ENGL 309 Linguistics & Language Acquisition 3 ENGL 409 Language & Culture 3