Teaching English as a
Second Language

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.

Undergraduate TESL Minor

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. See Course Requirements for exact courses.