Elementary/Middle Education (Grades K-9) and TESOL (Grades K-12) Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Teachers have a positive and profound impact on future generations unlike any other profession.The Elementary/Middle Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Education (EME/TSL) Program prepares educators and future leaders of our global society to teach the core subjects (literacy, math, science, and social studies) to kindergarten through grade 9 learners and English as a second language to English learners (ELs) in kindergarten through grade 12. There is a critical need for such teachers in our state. Future teachers in this program learn to reach all students with curriculum relevant to their lives and to utlilize developmentally appropriate strategies based in second language acquisition theories. We collaborate with K-12 school partners to provide multiple practical experiences in inclusive classrooms and specialized settings where our teacher candidates learn to differentiate teaching approaches with the end goal of honoring the individuality of all students. Graduates of this program are confident, reflective practitioners who value academically rigorous teaching for all and who continuously improve their teaching skills in response to best practices.

Completion of the Elementary/Middle Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the following Wisconsin teaching licenses:

  • Elementary and Middle School, grades K-9 (2088) and
  • English as a Second Language, grades K-12 (ESL, 1395).

Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.

Students in all teacher education programs must be admitted to the School of Education in order to complete their program requirements and be eligible for endorsement for the appropriate teaching license(s). Students majoring in elementary/middle education (grades K-9) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) must meet specific program admission criteria.  

Students majoring in elementary/middle education (grades K-9) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) must complete the TESOL field experience component during Winter session in Puerto Rico. Costs associated with this experience are the responsibility of the student.

Retention and advancement

Teacher candidates may be retained in their teacher education program provided they fulfill the conditions described in the SOE Retention Policy. Students must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching as described in the Student Teaching and Internship Policy. Additional SOE program requirements, including the culminating assessment of pedagogical knowledge, are described on the SOE catalog page.
 
All courses required in the Elementary/Middle Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program with EDS, SPE, and TSL prefixes must be passed with a minimum grade of "C" or better. 

Language proficiency program requirements

Students must complete both A and B requirements prior to student teaching.

A. Proficiency in a world language (no credits) as demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Advanced Placement (AP) world language exam score of 3 or higher
  • Placing into a 102-level or higher world language course at UWL
  • A score of 70 or higher on the La Crosse Battery (non-native speakers of English)
  • A grade of "B" or better in a 101-level or higher world language course (taught in the world language) taken at UWL or another accredited institution of higher education. See below world language course list.1
World language requirement courses: 1
ARA 101Elementary Arabic I4
ARA 102Elementary Arabic II4
ARA 201Intermediate Arabic I4
ARA 202Intermediate Arabic II4
CHI 101Chinese in a Global Society I4
CHI 102Chinese in a Global Society II4
CHI 201Chinese Language and Culture in Action I4
CHI 202Chinese Language and Culture in Action II4
CHI 301Advanced Chinese3
ESL 250Oral English Skills: Issues and Controversies in the U.S.4
ESL 252Written English Skills: Researching Your Community4
FRE 101French in a Global Society I3
FRE 102French in a Global Society II3
FRE 201French Language and Cultures in Action I3
FRE 202French Language and Cultures in Action II3
FRE 300Visual Encounters3
FRE 301Sound, Speech, and Proficiency3
GCL 101Elementary Languages I4
GCL 102Elementary Languages II4
GCL 201Intermediate Languages I4
GCL 202Intermediate Languages II4
GER 101German in a Global Society I4
GER 102German in a Global Society II4
GER 201German Language and Cultures in Action I4
GER 202German Language and Cultures in Action II3
GER 300Advanced German3
HMG 204Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate4
HMG 304Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced4
JPN 101Elementary Japanese I4
JPN 102Elementary Japanese II4
JPN 201Intermediate Japanese I4
JPN 202Intermediate Japanese II4
RUS 101Russian in a Global Society I4
RUS 102Russian in a Global Society II4
RUS 201Russian Language and Cultures in Action I4
RUS 202Russian Language and Cultures in Action II4
SPA 101Spanish in a Global Society I4
SPA 102Spanish in a Global Society II4
SPA 103Spanish in a Global Society I & II4
SPA 201Spanish Language and Cultures in Action I4
SPA 202Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II4
1

World language classes numbered 102, 103, 201, and 202 taken at UWL also count toward general education credits.

 B. Proficiency in English (no credits) as demonstrated by a grade of "B" or better in one of the following courses:
English language requirement courses:
ENG 110College Writing II3
ENG 112College Writing AP (Advanced Placement)3
ENG 303Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies3
ENG 304Writing in the Arts and Humanities3
ENG 306Writing in Education3
ENG 309Writing in the Sciences3

Curriculum

The Elementary/Middle Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program is aligned with Wisconsin Teaching Standards (WTS), the national CAEP (elementary) Standards and AMLE (middle level) Standards, and CAEP/TESOL (ESL) Standards.

Required general education courses (28 credits)

Besides the courses specified below, elementary/middle education and teaching English to speakers of other languages majors must satisfy additional general education requirements. The General Education Program requires a total of 42 credits. 

EDS 203School, Society, and Teachers 1, 93
EDS 206Multicultural Education 2, 93
MTH 115Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 32
MTH 116Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 32
MTH 215Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 32
HIS 110World History 43
GEO 200Conservation of Global Environments 53
Select one of the following: 64
Biological science course GE Natural Science List
Physical science course from GE Natural Science List
Select an English literature course from the GE Humanities list 73
ART 302Visual Language in the Global Classroom 83
Total Credits28

Recommended general education courses

PHY 106Physical Science for Educators 64
HED 207Youth Health Issues 93
1

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Self and Society (GE Category 6).

2

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Minority Cultures or Multiracial Women's Studies (GE Category 3).

3

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Mathematical/Logical Systems and Modern Languages (GE Category 2). Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

4

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, World History (GE Category 4-1).

5

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, Global and Multicultural Studies (GE Category 4-2). Also satisfies a WI statutory requirement.

6

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Natural Laboratory Science (GE Category 5).

7

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Humanities (GE Category 7).

8

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Arts (GE Category 8).

9

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Health and Physical Well-Being (GE Category 9).

Additional required content courses (14-15 credits)

Elementary/middle education and teaching English to speakers of other languages majors must complete the following additional content courses to meet accreditation standards and/or WI statutory requirements. Some courses are also in the General Education Program.

PSY 212Lifespan Development 93
MTH 216Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 32
TSL 250Educating Multilingual Learners3
Select the category not previously chosen for GE Category 5: 63-4
Biological science course
Physical science course
Select one of the following:3
American National Government 1
State and Local Government 1
Total Credits14-15

Courses not requiring admission to the School of Education (30 credits)

EDS 308Foundations of Literacy3
EDS 309Teaching Global Perspectives Across the Curriculum3
EDS 311Curriculum and Pedagogy: Elementary/Middle Education3
EDS 318Literacy Methods I3
SPE 200Foundations of Special Education 93
TESOL Courses
ENG 331Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words3
GCL 310Theories and Research in Second Language Acquisition3
TSL 345Intercultural Interactions3
TSL 400Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Policies and Program Models3
TSL 463Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Methods 93
Total Credits30

Courses requiring admission to the School of Education (39 credits)

SPE 300Designing Sustainable Inclusive Classrooms3
Field I block courses (must be taken concurrently)
EDS 402Field Experience I: Elementary Level 93
EDS 413Social Studies Methods 93
EDS 418Literacy Methods II 93
Field II block courses (must be taken concurrently)
EDS 421Science Methods 93
EDS 422Mathematics Methods 93
EDS 446Field Experience II: Middle Level 93
EDS 452Philosophy and Curriculum for Young Adolescent Learners3
TESOL Field (taken Winter intersession in Puerto Rico)
TSL 460TESOL Field Experience3
Student teaching semester 11
EDS 492Student Teaching Seminar 91
A combination of the following: 911
Student Teaching: Elementary/Middle Education (K-9)
Student Teaching: Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12)
Teaching Internship
Total Credits39
9

Also satisfies an SOE core requirement.

10

Includes experience with high school learners (grades 9-12).

11

Must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching. For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.

Additional teacher education requirements are listed on the School of Education catalog page.

All teacher education students must complete the general education, School of Education, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCredits SpringCredits
EDS 203 (Gen Ed Self & Society)3 CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3 EDS 206 (Gen Ed Minority Cultures)3
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3 MTH 116 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems)2
MTH 115 (Gen Ed Math)2 GEO 200 (Gen Ed Global Studies)3
Gen Ed Natural Lab Science (Biological)14 HIS 110 (Gen Ed World History)3
  Gen Ed Humanistic Studies (English literature)3
 15   17
Year 2
FallCredits SpringCredits
TSL 2503 TSL 3453
EDS 3083 EDS 3113
EDS 3093 EDS 3183
ENG 3313 MTH 216 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems)2
PSY 2123 POL 1013
MTH 215 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems)2 Gen Ed Arts (not from ART)2-3
  Apply for School of Education2 
 17   16
Year 3
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits
ART 302 (Gen Ed Arts)3TSL 46063SPE 3003
GCL 3103 EDS 4023
TSL 4633 EDS 4133
SPE 2003 EDS 4183
Natural Lab Science (Physical)34 TSL 4003
Apply for Field Experience I5  Apply for Field Experience II5 
  Apply for Student Teaching7 
 16 3 15
Year 4
FallCredits SpringCredits
EDS 4213 All course requirements, language proficiency program requirements, and other benchmarks must be completed prior to student teaching.8 
EDS 4223 EDS 4921
EDS 4523 EDS 4975
EDS 4463 EDS 4916
Gen Ed Health & Well-Being43  
 15   12
Total Credits: 126
1

BIO 100 Biology for the Informed Citizen (4 cr.) is recommended.

2

See the SOE admissions website for complete admission and application details. Students are required to complete a criminal background check at the time of application for admission.

3

PHY 106 Physical Science for Educators (4 cr.) is recommended.

4

HED 207 Youth Health Issues (3 cr.) is recommended.

5

Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.

6

Includes study away in Puerto Rico.

7

Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to the student teaching semester.

8

For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.