Teaching English as a Second Language – Endorsement

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Elementary, Secondary & K-12 Education
K-12 ESL Endorsement Requirements — 18 Credits

This endorsement program in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) provides the student with the study of the structures of English and with the theory and practice related to the teaching of English as a second language. Students successfully completing this program will be recommended for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse K-12 endorsement. This program must be completed in conjunction with the Elementary Education, Secondary Education or K-12 licensure program. This program is administered by Hispanic Studies and has Admissions Requirements described below.

Pre-Endorsement Classes:

Students interested in earning an ESL Endorsement are accepted as pre-ESL Endorsement students if they meet the general admissions requirements of the university. Formal application to the University is made to and obtained from UNC's Office of Admissions.

Students are strongly encouraged to take either HISP 111 Introduction to Hispanic Literature or MAS 110 Contemporary Chicano Literature to fulfill LAC area 3.b. -- Literature and Humanities. In addition, students may take MAS 275 before acceptance into the program. Students enrolled in the Urban Education Program follow only the admission requirements for that program.

Admissions Requirements:

The designation of pre-ESL Endorsement does not assure admission to the ESL Endorsement Program. A separate application and admission process during the freshmen year and while enrolled in MAS 100 is required for students to enroll in the ESL endorsement courses. Students must enroll in the non-credit TESL 101 course and submit the admission application materials to the Hispanic Studies Department Office, Candelaria 0295.

The following factors will be considered in the selection of students:

• GPA
• MAS faculty evaluation based on a list of professional standards-based performance indicators (students may submit more than one faculty evaluation if they wish)
• A professionally written statement about why the student wants to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Students who are part of the Cumbres program must additionally submit a letter of good standing from the Cumbres director with their application for admissions. Transfer students from another university or college may ask a faculty member from their host institution or program to complete the faculty evaluation for them or they may request an interview with an ESL faculty member. See Beth Franklin for more information about this process.

Program enrollment and acceptance numbers will be contingent upon resources and demand each year.

ESL Endorsement students must maintain a “C” or better average in all of their remaining 15 credits of TESL/MAS courses (MAS 275, TESL 350, TESL 380, TESL 400, TESL 401). The ESL program faculty reserves the right to place on probation or to require the withdrawal from the ESL program of any student who in their professional judgment fails to satisfy the requirements of scholarship, commitment, performance, or disregard for the UNC Honor Code. Applicants accepted into the program may be dismissed from the program if faculty recommend dismissal based on course or practicum performance.

Degree Requirements

Required Major — 15 credits

MAS 100	Introduction to Mexican American Studies	3
TESL 101	Admission to ESL Endorsement (Linguistically Diverse Education)	0
TESL 350	Second Language Acquisition	3
TESL 400	Methods and Approaches of ESL/EFL	3
TESL 401	TESL Practicum	3
	and choose one of the following courses:
MAS 275	Education of Mexican American Students	3
	or
HISP 395	History and Philosophy of Bilingual Education	3

NOTE: Students must complete a second language requirement equivalent to one year of college level studies.

Students taking Spanish to fulfill the requirement must take the online Placement Test (www.unco.edu/hispstds) and submit their scores in order to determine placement, as part of the application process.

Required supporting — 3 credits

ENG 318	Traditional and Modern Grammars	3
	or
ENG 419	English Linguistics	3
	or
TESL 380	Introduction to Linguistics for ESL/LDE Educators	3

NOTES: EDFE 110, MAS 275/HISP 395, TESL 350, and TESL 400 must be completed prior to doing TESL Practica. Students must teach in an ESL-based school. Students may complete MAS 100 Introduction to Mexican American Studies as part of LAC requirements. Students cannot do TESL 401 Practicum with Student Teaching.

Students aspiring to endorsement must maintain a grade C or better (GPA 2.0) in all required TESL/MAS courses.

In order to receive endorsement, students must pass the ESL Praxis Exam.