English As a Second Language (Endorsement)

Unit: College of Education and Human Development

Department:  Elementary, Middle and Secondary Teacher Education

Program Information

This program is completed entirely online.

The online English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement (P-12) program is designed for certified Kentucky teachers seeking the expertise and credentials essential to meeting the unique needs of English language learners.

The ESL endorsement addresses the growing demand for teachers with specialized training who are qualified to teach this unique, yet distinct population. Gain knowledge in sociolinguistics, cross-cultural competency, cultural diversity and language acquisition and learn to make important connections between linguistic theory and classroom practice—and improve retention of the English language. If you are not a Kentucky certified teacher or you are not interested in teaching in the P-12 public school system, you may be interested in the Teaching English as an International Language (TEIL) graduate certificate instead.

Highlights

• Develop a deepened understanding of the concerns and intricacies related to learning English as a second language.
• Get hands-on training through the required field experience component of the program – 30 hours of documented classroom teaching observation with a Kentucky certified ESL endorsed teacher.
• Earn your endorsement as part of the master of education in teacher leadership or the Rank I program.
• Complete your endorsement in under a year.
• Attach your earned ESL endorsement to your Kentucky teaching certification by passing the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Praxis test.

Admission Requirements

• A completed graduate application;
• Application fee of $65
• Official transcript(s) for all previous post-secondary coursework. All transcripts not in English must be certified by an official agency as authentic and translated verbatim into English.
• Bachelor's degree earned from an accredited institution*
• Valid Kentucky initial teaching certification or statement of eligibility for candidates outside Kentucky
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on 4.0 scale; minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate work
• Two semesters of foreign language studies or a qualifying experience (contact the ESL program coordinator at elizabeth.patton@louisville.edu for evaluation)

This program is open to all eligible candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age.

Out-of-State Applicants

Certified teachers outside Kentucky should be advised that we cannot guarantee the program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. As part of the admission process, we require a written statement confirming their interest in the program for personal development and that they understand the program is designed to meet Kentucky certification requirements only. For more information, please contact Betty Hampton.

Endorsement Requirements

The online English as a Second Language endorsement is a 12-credit-hour program consisting of four courses taken in the order shown below.

Coursework

In addition to the four endorsement courses, a 30-hour-field experience is required and consists of 30 hours of documented observation with a Kentucky certified ESL endorsed teacher. Candidates must have also completed two semesters of a foreign language course.

Important: Admitted students are required to contact Dr. Elizabeth Patton (elizabeth.patton@louisville.edu), ESL endorsement program coordinator, prior to registering for ESL coursework.