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English to Speakers of Other Languages

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Thinking about becoming a teacher? Want to help diverse students of all ages learn English? Interested in teaching English overseas? Feel called to international missions or service?

Highlights of This Program:

Certification in All Grades

In New York State, certification to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) allows you to teach students in all grades, PreK-Grade 12.

Option to Obtain a Dual Certification with Childhood Education

You have the option of earning dual certification in ESOL and Childhood Education (grades 1-6). This increases your job opportunities by allowing you to be an ESOL teacher, an elementary school teacher, or in some settings both the ESOL teacher and an elementary classroom teacher.

Growing Need for Certified ESOL Teachers

The number of public school students learning English as a new language is growing rapidly across the country. In New York State school districts are required to provide new instructional programs to support this increasing population of English Language Learners (sometimes called ELLs). This means there is an urgent need for teachers who are certified to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages here in New York State and around the country.

Option to Minor in ESOL

Students in any major can greatly enrich their program by adding a minor in ESOL. Whether you plan to study business, communication, social work, ministry, or any other field, completing the 18-credit hour minor will prepare you to work with individuals who speak limited English in the U.S. and abroad.

What Can I Do With a B.S. in ESOL?

  • Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher full-time in a school or district
  • Provide instruction and support to the English Language Learners in your elementary school class (if you choose the dual certification option)
  • Teach English in schools around the world
  • Engage in missions and service work regionally, nationally, and internationally – in ways that are both more effective and more culturally sensitive
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