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Bilingual and Bicultural Studies - Curriculum
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate
Program
Using a schedule that accommodates those already employed as teachers,
as well as aspiring new teachers, this program is designed to be
responsive to requirements promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department
of Education (Division of Teacher Education-Bureau of Teacher Certification
and preparation) requiring that teachers of English as a Second
Language (ESL) be certified according to specific competencies set
forth in the regulations.
Candidates for ESL certification will undergo a predetermined curriculum
consisting of five (5) Core Courses. These courses will address
in depth the areas of expertise that are required by the regulations:
- English Usage and the Development of Linguistic Awareness including:
instruction on the process of first and second language acquisition,
the process of literacy development for second language learners
and the required strategies that will assist English Language
Learners (ELLs) in the different stages of second language acquisition.
- English as a Second Language (Instructional Materials and Development),
which includes the design and implementation of ESL programs to
assist ELLs in the acquisition of English, and cognitive academic
language skills. The student will be required to learn and be
aware of various methods, strategies, research findings and resources
that address the educational need of ELLS in their learning process,
including the use of computer technology. The acquisition of very
specific knowledge concerning currently accepted/research based
ESL instructional methods and strategies designed to meet the
instructional needs of ELLs will be required.
- Support Services for English Language Learners (ELLs), which
provides extensive exposure to knowledge concerning effective
assessment, including appropriate tools and practices, for identifying
levels of language proficiency, acquisition and content learning
as well as the means to monitor student progress. The student
will be required to obtain extensive knowledge concerning the
availability of school support services, the promotion of parental/family
involvement in the accomplishment and educational needs of ELLs,
as well as a complete familiarity with educational programs and
instructional activity adaptation for ELLs that require specially
designed instruction pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act.
- Development of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity, where students
will be required to become thoroughly informed of behaviors, beliefs
and attitudes of multicultural learners and families. Classroom
and research activities will include the incorporation of knowledge
of current methods and techniques for teaching English as a Second
Language within a culturally/linguistic diverse student/family
environment. Further, the student will become aware of techniques
that may be employed to promote school staff's understanding and
sensitivity toward cultures and languages other that the dominant
culture/language in the United States.
ESL Programs
Candidates for ESL certification will undergo a predetermined curriculum
consisting of five (5) Core Courses. These courses will address
in depth the areas of expertise that are required by the regulations:
- English Usage and the Development of Linguistic Awareness
including: instruction on the process of first and second language
acquisition, the process of literacy development for second language
learners and the required strategies that will assist English
Language Learners (ELLs) in the different
stages of second language acquisition.
- English as a Second Language (Instructional Materials and
Development), which includes the design and implementation
of ESL programs to assist ELLs in the acquisition of English,
and cognitive academic language skills. The student will be required
to learn and be aware of various methods, strategies, research
findings and resources that address the educational need of ELLS
in their learning process, including the use of computer technology.
The acquisition of very specific knowledge concerning currently
accepted/research based ESL instructional methods and strategies
designed to meet the instructional needs of ELLs will be required.
- Support Services for English Language Learners (ELLs),
which provides extensive exposure to knowledge concerning effective
assessment, including appropriate tools and practices, for identifying
levels of language proficiency, acquisition and content learning
as well as the means to monitor student progress. The student
will be required to obtain extensive knowledge concerning the
availability of school support services, the promotion of parental/family
involvement in the accomplishment and educational needs of ELLs,
as well as a complete familiarity with educational programs and
instructional activity adaptation for ELLs that require specially
designed instruction pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act.
- Development of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity, where
students will be required to become thoroughly informed of behaviors,
beliefs and attitudes of multicultural learners and families.
Classroom and research activities will include the incorporation
of knowledge of current methods and techniques for teaching English
as a Second Language within a culturally/linguistic diverse student/family
environment. Further, the student will become aware of techniques
that may be employed to promote school staff's understanding and
sensitivity toward cultures and languages other that the dominant
culture/language in the United States.
Admission Requirements
To be accepted for admission into the program, a student must:
- Provide evidence of successful academic achievement in completion
of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher
education.
- Possess a current and valid teaching certificate in some
other area
or
Have completed an approved teacher preparation program and successfully
passed the requisite PRAXIS exams.
- Completed the Application for Admission on-line (free of cost)
or the paper Application for Admission, together with the required
Application Fee.
The Application for Admission may be obtained by contacting:
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Luis A. Gómez, Ph.D.
Director,
Bilingual/Bicultural Graduate Studies
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Tel.: (215) 951- 1209
gomez@lasalle.edu
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Greer Richardson Ph.D.
Director,
Graduate Programs in Education
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA, 19141
Tel.:(215)951-1196
richards@lasalle.edu |
Core Course Requirements
The Certificate for Program Specialist-ESL requires a total of five
courses (15 credits). All five courses are Core Courses and no elective
course is available.
Course Descriptions
BLS 600: Dynamics of Cross-Cultural Communications
(3 credits)
The major objectives of this course are to develop an appreciation
of diverse cultural backgrounds and to develop awareness of the
complexity of cross-cultural communications. The following areas
are considered as they relate to the dynamics of cross-cultural
communications: the communication process; group properties and
communications; linguistic approaches; the nonverbal element of
communications systems, language and culture; language as social
behavior; and channels of communication. This course is a requirement
for an MA in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies.
BLS 601: Techniques of Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages (3 credits)
The course analyzes various methodologies used in teaching English
as a second language. There is an emphasis placed upon methods in
teaching, listening, and speaking, as well as microteaching of difficult
points of pronunciation and grammar. Significant attention is given
to affective techniques in second language learning.
BLS 605: Curriculum and Development of Bilingual Programs (3
credits)
This course discusses the historical background of the bilingual
movement, especially pertinent legislation, as well as the organization
of a bilingual program. Topics of lectures and discussions include:
needs assessment of pupils, staff and community; various types of
curriculum models of bilingual and school organizations; selection
of instructional materials for training bilingual students; and
proper evaluative procedures.
BLS 606: Making Language Connections Through Content in
ESOL and Bilingual Classrooms
(3 credits)
The major objectives of the course are to provide mechanisms for
second language content delivery utilizing the sheltered class model,
SIOP, "learning to learn" methods. The curriculum analyzes
academic language in content and texts, and discusses metacognitive
processes and strategies that may be used in the classroom. Further,
the role of learning styles and multiple intelligences are also
examined and discussed; together with the rationale and structure
of thematic units for lesson planning purposes. The integration
of language objectives and "what's difficult" for language
learners is directed toward an authentic assessment of content and
language.
EDC 650: Language Assessment and Special Education of ESL Learners
(3 credits)
This course provides an overview of federal, state and local mandates
regarding the assessment of ESL learners. Placement testing, standardized
assessment, performance assessment, rubrics, and portfolios will
be addressed specifically. Issues in authentic assessment and assessment
in the content areas will also be addressed. This course also helps
students to understand the legislation that promotes individual
rights for children and adults with disabilities, the special education
classification and labeling process and current trends in the education
of children with disabilities. Students will analyze the impact
that a handicapping condition has on the individual in learning
and social environments.
Luis A. Gomez, Ph.D.
Director
Bilingual/Bicultural Graduate Studies
La Salle University
1900 West Olney Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19141 USA
Phone (215) 951-1209
Fax (215) 991-3546
e-mail: gomez@lasalle.edu
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