ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Program Overview

The program leading to add-on licensure in English as a Second Language (ESL) provides professional training for individuals seeking to add either North Carolina Class teacher licensure in English as a Second Language education (grades K–12) to their existing initial or advanced licensure. The program is comprised of 18 semester hours. The proposed add-on licensure in Teaching English as a Second Language is a response to the increasing need for all teachers in Southeastern North Carolina to be prepared to work with English language learners (ELLs). While the entire United States has seen a 65% increase in the number of ELLs since 1994, North Carolina has seen an increase of over 370% in the number of ELLs in our schools. This increase has been seen across the state, but especially in the rural areas surrounding the University of North Carolina Wilmington where many of our graduates will eventually teach. While the numbers of ELLs in schools has increased, unfortunately, professional development and teacher preparation in this field has not kept pace with the rapid student population growth. It was reported that over 40% of all teachers had ELLs in their classrooms during the 1999-2000 school year but only 12.5% had received 8 or more hours of related training.

The UNCW ESL add-on licensure program emphasizes the preparation of teachers who will cultivate bicultural and biliterate individuals who are able to enjoy success in the US academic system while being encouraged to maintain their native language and culture. To this end, the program is based on the importance of providing preservice and inservice teachers a strong pedagogical foundation with a sense of social justice through community involvement. From an educational standpoint, the theoretical framework of the program is based on socioculturalism and critical literacy. We believe that learning best takes place in an interactive environment that facilitates the development of higher order thinking skills, enabling learners to critically examine their own environment. It is this philosophy that we have embedded in the ESL add-on licensure program at UNCW.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY

  1. Teaching English Language Learners (EDN 265), 3 credit hours

Candidates will explore the cultural, social, and political contexts of working with ELLs from historical and critical perspectives. This course also includes the legal and administrative aspects of the field with regard to national and state regulations. This course will have a 10-hour field experience. Candidates will be expected to compare and contrast their academic/cultural experiences with those of English language learner partners.

  1. Second Language Acquisition (EDN 423), 3 credit hours

In this course, candidates gain in-depth knowledge of first and second language acquisition, comparing the two. They will study the research, theories and principles in the field of English as a Second Language. Candidates will be expected to compare and contrast various learning theories and first and second language acquisition processes.

  1. Introduction to Linguistics (ENG 320), 3 credit hours

This course includes an exploration of the English language and its different components. Candidates develop extensive knowledge of the linguistic structure of the English language including phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics and semantics. Candidates will use this knowledge to compare the English linguistic system to other languages.

  1. Second Language Methods and Assessment (EDN 417), 3 credit hours

EDN 265 and EDN 316 are prerequisites for this course. This course will review methods of TESL and involve a 20-hour field experience in which candidates implement strategies and methods, reflecting on the efficacy of each. Candidates will be prepared to use the SIOP model as well as other communicative methodologies. Additionally, candidates will learn how to ensure valid and reliable results when assessing second language learners. The purpose of this course is to examine the cycle of teaching and explore methods of integrating instruction, curriculum and assessment to increase academic outcomes for ELLs. Candidates will be expected to design and implement basic lesson plans.

  1. Reading and Writing in a Second Language (EDN 418), 3 credit hours

This course is considered a capstone course in the sequence, and EDN 265, 316, 417 are prerequisites for this course. In this class, candidates will use the concepts and skills that they have learned and apply them to increasing literacy and academic outcomes for English language learners. An emphasis will be placed on developing biliteracy skills as well as literacy skills in English. Candidates will be expected to implement and assess existing literacy improvement plans. This course includes a 20-hour field experience.

  1. Structure of the English Language (ENG 321), 3 credit hours

ENG 320 is strongly recommended as a prerequisite for this course. In this course, candidates study the mechanics of the English language and learn how to teach basic and advanced grammatical structures.