Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
The graduate Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate Program is designed to prepare currently-licensed teachers to effectively, purposefully, and passionately teach English learners (EL). Teachers who complete this certificate program will be endorsed for a Wisconsin ESL license. They will also be well-qualified to teach English learners in a way that is knowledgeable and respectful of language and cultural difference, which seeks to add to rather than replace cultural and linguistic knowledge, and which ensures the learning of language and content for each EL they encounter.
This program starts when 14 or more applicants are admitted to a cohort. The program starts are offered in spring, summer and fall terms.
Admission
Applicants for admission must:
- Meet all UWL graduate application requirements.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in education.
- Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.85 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
- Provide a resume that documents at least one year of full-time regular teaching experience in a K-12 classroom and current teaching position in a K-12 classroom.
- Provide evidence of teaching license or certificate (i.e. copy of teaching license).
- Provide documentation of prior learning in a world language other than English.
- Complete a successful criminal background check (initiated by UWL).
Criminal background check
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC and to complete their portion of the process prior to the deadline specified in their admission letter. Program candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s).
Out-of-state applicants
This program may meet other states' licensing requirements. An applicant's state may or may not require that the applicant get a Wisconsin teaching license to be endorsed for their program of study. The Wisconsin licensing process may include taking coursework in Native American Studies (ACT 31). The applicant should check with their state licensing board prior to applying to ensure they understand the appropriate pathway to meet their state's licensing requirements.
Curriculum
The graduate TESOL Certificate Program is aligned with Wisconsin Teacher Standards (WTS), Wisconsin DPI TESOL Standards, and CAEP/TESOL (ESL) Standards.
(18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 534 | Introduction to Linguistics: Theory and Application | 3 |
| EDU 610 | Second Language Acquisition: Research and Applications | 3 |
| EDU 645 | Teaching with(in) Culture | 3 |
| EDU 680 | TESOL Methods I: Language Learning through Content | 3 |
| EDU 681 | TESOL Methods II: Teaching and Assessing Language | 3 |
| EDU 780 | TESOL Practicum | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Program completion and eligibility for certification
Eligibility for ESL-English as a Second Language (1395) certification is contingent upon:
- Completion of all Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program coursework, associated experiences, and artifacts.
- Cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
- Completed DPI employment verification form indicating at least 3 years of employment as the teacher of record in K-12 schools or hold a WI Lifetime Educator license.