Teaching English Language Learners, MS

Contact

Louise Wilkinson, 200 Huntington Hall, 315-443-4757, lwilkin@syr.edu

The Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) program prepares teachers to help students develop proficiency in English for academic and social purposes in integrated and free-standing services, compatible to current school programs, and to become effective advocates for integrated, fully inclusive classroom-based programs that draw on student strengths and address student needs. The program is grounded on the principles that the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of English language learners are valuable resources and that students best acquire and develop English language literacy - speaking, listening, reading and writing-in rich language contexts.

Through academic work, TELL degree candidates gain knowledge of theories, strategies, and methodologies in teaching English language learners and become conversant in socio-cultural and socio-linguistic issues that impact acquisition of English as an additional language. The combination of coursework and practical experience prepares teachers as specialists in educating English language learners by providing them a thorough understanding of how theory is connected to effective practice in promoting second language acquisition and developing literacy for social and academic purposes.

This program is designed for those who have met all requirements for NYS certification in another teaching area by the time of entry, and is a 30-credit course of study. It can be pursued full-time over a year, in a fall-spring-summer sequence, or part-time over a several-year period. The program meets the academic requirements for the New York teaching certificate to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (for all grades, PreK-12).

The program also requires a minimum of 12 credits in a language other than English as an entry requirement. This requirement must be met before beginning the final spring semester of the program. Equivalency would include such things as passing the Level II CLEP examination in a foreign language; or completing one or more college courses at a level beyond introductory, such that the college credits earned plus the credits represented by the lower level courses that were waived would equal 12 or more semester hours.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Acquire knowledge of each student, and demonstrate knowledge of student development and learning to promote achievement for all students.

2. Know the content they are responsible for teaching, and plan instruction that ensures growth and achievement for all students.

3. Implement instruction that engages and challenges all students to meet or exceed the learning standards.

4. Work with all students to create a dynamic learning environment that supports achievement and growth.

5. Use multiple measures to assess and document student growth, evaluate instructional effectiveness, and modify instruction.

6. Demonstrate professional responsibility and engage relevant stakeholders to maximize student growth, development, and learning.

7. Set informed goals and strive for continuous professional growth.

Required Courses

LIN 601 - Introductory Linguistic Analysis 3 credit(s)
LIN 591 - Second Language Acquisition 3 credit(s)
ELL 615 - Linguistics for Teachers of English Language Learners 3 credit(s)
RED 607 - Issues in Multicultural Literacy 3 credit(s)
RED 626 - Early Intervention for Children’s Reading Problems 3 credit(s)
ELL 625 - Methods of Teaching Literacy to English Language Learners 3 credit(s) 25 hours of fieldwork required, PreK-6
ELL 635 - Methods of Literacy Across the Curriculum for English Language Learners 3 credit(s) 25 credits of fieldwork required, 7-12
ELL 645 - Issues in Educating English Language Learners 3 credit(s)
ELL 655 - Teaching English Language Learners Practicum and Capstone Seminar 6 credit(s)
(minimum of 20 days student teaching in an ESL classroom)

Required Seminars

To be eligible for these New York State teacher certifications, students in the Teaching English Language Learners programs must complete or have completed training in:

Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abduction Prevention
Violence Prevention
Fire and Arson Prevention
Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Abuse
Highway Safety
Dignity for All Students Act

Students must complete this requirement prior to their first student teaching experience.