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JMU Teaching English as a Second Language

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program is designed to enable undergraduate students to complete an 18 hour minor to gain knowledge of second language acquisition. Although the focus of the program is on satisfying the requirements for endorsement in English as a Second Language, students not enrolled in a teacher preparation program may complete the TESL minor. Candidates for teaching endorsement must complete requirements beyond those courses listed in the minor in order to be recommended for TESL endorsement. Candidates interested in teacher licensure should consult with the program adviser in order to add the TESL teaching area to another area in which they are licensed to teach.

Mission

The mission of the minor in Teaching English as a Second Language is to prepare students to work effectively in promoting English language acquisition by children and adults who have not used English as their primary language. The minor will also serve to develop knowledge of cross-cultural education. The TESL minor draws heavily upon theories of linguistics, research on social and cultural variables that influence second language acquisition, and the knowledge required to facilitate second language learning.

Program Beliefs

The ESL teacher preparation program is based upon three major beliefs:

• ESL teachers need to develop theories of teaching and learning, understand the nature of teacher decision-making in working with non-native language speakers, and develop their personal strategies for self-awareness and self-evaluation.
• ESL teachers should have proficiency at the intermediate level in at least one language other than English and possess a broad range of knowledge that provides the cultural context for teaching students from differing cultural backgrounds.
• ESL teachers must be reflective decision- makers based upon professional preparation that develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Program Description

Undergraduate TESL Minor (link to table in folder labeled TESL)

The undergraduate TESL minor contains 18 credit hours and is designed to provide teaching candidates the necessary prerequisite skills and knowledge to obtain ESL PK-12 Endorsement in conjunction with completing an initial teacher preparation program. Students not enrolled in a teacher education program MAY complete the TESL minor, however in order be eligible for TESL endorsement, individuals must complete requirements for an initial teaching license and additional TESL coursework.

Add-on Endorsement to Teach ESL PK - 12

Individuals who have completed requirements for an initial teaching license and for the TESL minor can complete the additional requirements to add English as a Second Language (ESL) to the license to teach in the public schools of Virginia. Candidates currently enrolled in initial teaching licensure programs may complete the TESL minor and licensure requirements. This endorsement may be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level. Individuals who complete the program are prepared to design activities to accommodate the linguistic and social needs of ESL students in PK-12 and to serve as resource persons for classroom teachers.

The requirements for adding the ESL teaching endorsement are:

• Completion of teacher licensure requirements in another teaching area prior to completing this program.
• Completion of coursework in a language other than English with proficiency at the intermediate level or above as determined by the JMU Foreign Language Department.
• Completion of the 18 credit hour minor in TESL and the 12 hours of professional courses given below.