Degree Title: Non-degree

Program Name and Number: TESOL Endorsement Non-Degree Track - ND8887

Department/Unit: College of Arts and Sciences

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus, Online

Program Mission: The program allows students studying at the graduate level who are not enrolled in the Linguistics graduate program to become licensed to teach P-12 English Language students. Candidates must already hold a valid Ohio teaching license.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of English structure and usage.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the process of language learning.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the context of second (new) language acquisition in the United States.
• Candidates know and demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the assessment of second (new) language learners.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the instruction of linguistically diverse learners.
• Candidates observe and interact with second (new) language learners.

Program Overview: The program is available to post-baccalaureate students with an Ohio teaching license who are seeking the endorsement only and not the Linguistics Master’s degree. Students will take a number of linguistics courses, including courses on second language acquisition, methods and materials, and a language teaching practicum. The language teaching practicum involves fifty hours of field experience during which the candidate will observe and assist an ESL teacher. The ESL teacher and a Linguistics faculty member will meet with the candidate regularly during the experience to provide direction and feedback. Candidates are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the program. In addition to the coursework, students must successfully complete the following: 1) a state-mandated assessment of English to speakers of other languages (Ohio Assessment for Educators), 2) a language analysis and instructional strategy project, 3) a lesson plan, justification, and teaching demonstration assessment, and 4) 50 hours of fieldwork experience with English Language Learners. Candidates must treat students, colleagues, and instructors with respect and use professional and clear communication within the program. 

Graduation Requirements:

1. Minimum semester hours required: 14

2. Field experience: Yes, 50 hours. The Language Teaching Practicum includes 50 clock hours of field experience. Students choose their own field experience location. The field experience must involve engaging with English Language Learners, such as tutoring or teaching. The location can be in a school, or in an after-school program or club. All field experience locations and activities will need to be pre-approved by the Language Teaching Practicum professor. No video recording or observations by the Language Teaching Practicum professor are required for this endorsement.

3. Thesis requirement: No

4. Qualifying exam: No

5. Comprehensive exam: Ohio Assessment for Educators

6. Expected time to completion if studying fulltime: one semester if taking summer intensive program; two semesters if opting to take courses in fall and spring.

Admission Requirements:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in a teacher licensure program.
• Ohio Teaching License obtained.
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.
• For non-native English speakers: Minimum TOEFL: 600 (paper), 100 (iBT), or IELTS: 7.0 overall average.
• Brief statement of purpose (1-2 pages) by the candidate.