Program Description
Coordinator: Katya Koubek
Phone: (540) 568-6760
Email: koubekex@jmu.edu
The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) major offers licensure preparation for PK-12 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This TESOL pre-professional major enables students to become knowledgeable about the theories of linguistics, research on social and cultural variables that influence language acquisition, and the knowledge required to facilitate and assess language instruction in content areas, and laws governing the education of children for whom English is not their native language. This program will prepare future educators to understand and implement equitable and effective ways of working with English learners (ELs) in a variety of contexts, including inclusion in content/general education classes, sheltered-ESL classes and pullout classes.
Completion of the four-year major, when combined with teacher licensure courses (20 credit hours) leads to eligibility for a Virginia teaching license for PK-12 English as a Second Language. Major and additional licensure requirements can be completed within the 123-credit hour structure of the Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in TESOL.
The College of Education’s TESOL Program is interested in candidates who are committed to social justice and to creating affirming and academically challenging learning environments.
Students considering PK-12 initial licensure in TESOL follow the process described below:
All teacher education admission requirements are submitted through the Education Support Center, located in Memorial Hall, room 7230. Candidates must be fully admitted into teacher education before they can register for certain designated undergraduate education courses.
Teacher education candidates must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or better and complete general education courses with a minimum grade of “C.” Candidates must also complete TESOL major content courses with a minimum grade of “C.”
Candidates must apply to student teach one year prior to their student teaching semester.
