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 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
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
- For non-native speakers of English or heritage language speakers: Consultation with the administrator of the TESOL program.
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World language course list: 1 | ||
| CHI 101 | Chinese in a Global Society I | 4 |
| CHI 102 | Chinese in a Global Society II | 4 |
| CHI 201 | Chinese Language and Culture in Action I | 4 |
| CHI 202 | Chinese Language and Culture in Action II | 4 |
| CHI 301 | Advanced Chinese | 3 |
| FRE 101 | French in a Global Society I | 3 |
| FRE 102 | French in a Global Society II | 3 |
| FRE 201 | French Language and Cultures in Action I | 3 |
| FRE 202 | French Language and Cultures in Action II | 3 |
| FRE 300 | Visual Encounters | 3 |
| FRE 301 | Sound, Speech, and Proficiency | 3 |
| GCL 101 | Elementary Languages I | 4 |
| GCL 102 | Elementary Languages II | 4 |
| GCL 201 | Intermediate Languages I | 4 |
| GCL 202 | Intermediate Languages II | 4 |
| GER 101 | German in a Global Society I | 4 |
| GER 102 | German in a Global Society II | 4 |
| GER 201 | German Language and Cultures in Action I | 4 |
| GER 202 | German Language and Cultures in Action II | 3 |
| GER 300 | Advanced German | 3 |
| HMG 204 | Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate | 4 |
| HMG 304 | Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced | 4 |
| JPN 101 | Elementary Japanese I | 4 |
| JPN 102 | Elementary Japanese II | 4 |
| JPN 201 | Intermediate Japanese I | 4 |
| JPN 202 | Intermediate Japanese II | 4 |
| RUS 101 | Russian in a Global Society I | 4 |
| RUS 102 | Russian in a Global Society II | 4 |
| RUS 201 | Russian Language and Cultures in Action I | 4 |
| RUS 202 | Russian Language and Cultures in Action II | 4 |
| SPA 101 | Spanish in a Global Society I | 4 |
| SPA 102 | Spanish in a Global Society II | 4 |
| SPA 103 | Spanish in a Global Society I & II | 4 |
| SPA 201 | Spanish Language and Cultures in Action I | 4 |
| SPA 202 | Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II | 4 |
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World language class numbered 101-221, HMG 204, and HMG 304 also count toward the General Education Program requirement: The Cultures of Our World (GEN ED 1013).
B. Proficiency in English (no credits) as demonstrated by a grade of "B" or better in one of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English language courses: | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing II | 3 |
| ENG 303 | Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies | 3 |
| ENG 304 | Writing in the Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| ENG 306 | Writing in Education | 3 |
| ENG 309 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 |
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 (26 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 minimum of 41 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDS 203 | Foundations of Education 2, 3, 4 | 3 |
| EDS 206 | Society and Schools 2, 3, 5 | 3 |
| MTH 115 | Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 6 | 2 |
| MTH 116 | Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 6 | 2 |
| HIS 110 | World History 7 | 3 |
| GEO 200 | Conservation of Global Environments 8 | 3 |
| ART 302 | Visual Language in the Global Classroom 9 | 3 |
| Physical science course from Gen Ed Experiential Science list (PHY 106 is recommended) 10 | 4 | |
| English literature course from Gen Ed The Stories We Tell list 11 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Recommended general education course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PH 207 | Youth Health Issues 12 | 3 |
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Must pass all EDS, SPE, and TSL courses with a grade of "C" or better.
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Satisfies an SOE core requirement.
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Social and Behavioral Studies (GEN ED 1009).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Ethnic Diversity (GED ED 1005).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Quantitative Reasoning (GEN ED 1004).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Pasts That Define Us (GEN ED 1011).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Planet That Sustains Us (GEN ED 1012).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Arts and Aesthetics (GEN ED 1007).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Experiential Science (GEN ED 1008).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: The Stories We Tell (GEN ED 1010).
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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Mind & Body (GEN ED 1006).
Additional required content courses (17 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 212 | Lifespan Development 3 | 3 |
| MTH 215 | Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I | 2 |
| MTH 216 | Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II | 2 |
| TSL 250 | Educating Multilingual Learners 2 | 3 |
| Biological science course from Gen Ed Experiential Science list | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American National Government | ||
| State and Local Government | ||
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Courses not requiring admission to the School of Education (30 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDS 308 | Foundations of Literacy 2 | 3 |
| EDS 309 | Global Perspectives in Education 2 | 3 |
| EDS 311 | Curriculum and Pedagogy: Elementary/Middle Education 2 | 3 |
| EDS 318 | Literacy Methods I 2 | 3 |
| SPE 200 | Foundations of Special Education 2, 3 | 3 |
| TESOL Courses | ||
| ENG 331 | Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words | 3 |
| GCL 310 | Theories and Research in Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TSL 345 | Intercultural Interactions 2 | 3 |
| TSL 400 | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Policies and Program Models 2 | 3 |
| TSL 463 | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Methods 2, 3 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Courses requiring admission to the School of Education (39 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPE 300 | Designing Sustainable Inclusive Classrooms 2 | 3 |
| Field I block courses (must be taken concurrently) 2, 3 | ||
| EDS 402 | Field Experience I: Elementary Level | 3 |
| EDS 413 | Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDS 418 | Literacy Methods II | 3 |
| Field II block courses (must be taken concurrently) 2 | ||
| EDS 421 | Science Methods 3 | 3 |
| EDS 422 | Mathematics Methods 3 | 3 |
| EDS 446 | Field Experience II: Middle Level 3 | 3 |
| EDS 452 | Philosophy and Curriculum for Young Adolescent Learners | 3 |
| TESOL Field (taken Winter intersession in Puerto Rico) | ||
| TSL 460 | TESOL Field Experience 2, 11 | 3 |
| Student teaching semester | ||
| Demonstrate content knowledge through benchmark assessment prior to student teaching 12 | ||
| EDS 492 | Student Teaching Seminar 3 | 1 |
| A combination of the following: 3 | 11 | |
| Student Teaching: Elementary/Middle Education (K-9) | ||
| Student Teaching: Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) | ||
| Teaching Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
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Includes experience with high school learners (grades 9-12).
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Must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching. See SOE's benchmark assessments website for information about these assessments. For more information on student teaching, 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:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- 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.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" 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.
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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.
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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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| EDS 203 (Gen Ed 1009 Social and Behavioral Studies) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed 1003 Spoken Literacy) | 3 | ||
| ENG 110 (Gen Ed 1002 Written Literacy) | 3 | EDS 206 (Gen Ed 1005 Ethnic Diversity) | 3 | ||
| FYS 100 (Gen Ed 1001 First-Year Seminar) | 3 | MTH 116 (Gen Ed 1004 Quantitative Reasoning) | 2 | ||
| MTH 115 (Gen Ed 1004 Quantitative Reasoning) | 2 | GEO 200 (Gen Ed 1012 Planet That Sustains Us) | 3 | ||
| Biological Science (select from Gen Ed 1008 Experiential Science list)1 | 4 | HIS 110 (Gen Ed 1011 Pasts That Define Us) | 3 | ||
| Gen Ed 1010 Stories We Tell (English literature) | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 17 | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| TSL 250 | 3 | TSL 345 | 3 | ||
| EDS 308 | 3 | EDS 311 | 3 | ||
| EDS 309 (Gen Ed 1013 Cultures of Our World) | 3 | EDS 318 | 3 | ||
| ENG 331 | 3 | MTH 216 | 2 | ||
| PSY 212 | 3 | POL 101 | 3 | ||
| MTH 215 | 2 | Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics | 1 | ||
| Apply for School of Education2 | |||||
| 17 | 15 | ||||
| Year 3 | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ART 302 (Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics) | 3 | TSL 4605 | 3 | SPE 300 | 3 |
| GCL 310 | 3 | EDS 402 | 3 | ||
| TSL 463 | 3 | EDS 413 | 3 | ||
| SPE 200 | 3 | EDS 418 | 3 | ||
| Physical Science (Gen Ed 1008 Experiential Science)3 | 4 | TSL 400 | 3 | ||
| Apply for Field Experience I4 | Apply for Field Experience II4 | ||||
| Apply for Student Teaching6 | |||||
| 16 | 3 | 15 | |||
| Year 4 | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| EDS 421 | 3 | All course requirements, language proficiency program requirements, and other benchmarks must be completed prior to student teaching.8 | |||
| EDS 422 | 3 | EDS 492 | 1 | ||
| EDS 452 | 3 | EDS 497 | 5 | ||
| EDS 446 | 3 | EDS 491 | 6 | ||
| Gen Ed 1006 Mind and Body7 | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 12 | ||||
| Total Credits: 125 | |||||
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BIO 100 Biology for the Informed Citizen (4 cr.) is recommended.
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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.
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PHY 106 Physical Science for Educators (4 cr.) is recommended.
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Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.
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Includes study away in Puerto Rico.
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Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to the student teaching semester.
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PH 207 Youth Health Issues (3 cr.) is recommended.
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For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.