Teaching English Learners, M.Ed.

Program Description

This program is intended to prepare educators to be successful in supporting English Learners (ELs) in a variety of school settings. As the EL population expands in schools across the nation, a growing need exists for educators who are knowledgeable and adept in designing and implementing instruction for students who do not speak English as their first language. In addition, teachers of ELs need to be skillful advocates for their students and the programs their schools need to support these students. This requires educators to be prepared to take on leadership roles among their colleagues and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including students, staff, families and the outside community.

Program Outcomes

Design and implement appropriate curriculum and instructional practices to enhance knowledge and awareness of language development and acquisition, cultural factors, ethics, and linguistic diversity issues.
Employ academic theories, standards, and frameworks to direct the selection and integration of content and research-based instructional strategies to support learning English within a discipline.
Promote the development of language acquisition skills by utilizing assessment instruments, critically evaluated materials, and targeting specific learning outcomes.
Establish a culturally relevant environment by incorporating evidenced-based instructional practices and resources, materials, and technology and through the influence of social interaction.
Construct a framework for establishing and maintaining partnerships between the school, family, and community by advocating for academic and social growth for English learners within civic and global settings.
Conduct research to heighten understanding of issues facing new language learners, their academic and social needs, by collecting, analyzing, and evaluating instructional practices.
Support continuous learning while fostering leadership skills through intentionally designed opportunities to engage in professional development.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Education in Teaching English Learners is to provide students with knowledge to teach in a variety of school settings which serve English Language Learners (ELLs).

Course Sequence (31 Total Semester Credits)

Internship

The completion of an internship is not a graduation requirement for M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners, however American College of Education offers an optional internship course for students whose state of residence requires the same for endorsement or certification.

A separate internship course (EBL5101 Internship Experience for ESL and Bilingual Education ) will be offered following completion of all coursework for students in states requiring an internship for endorsement or certification.
Upon completion of the M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners degree, students will apply and enroll for the internship course as a Student-at-Large.
Students will be charged the current tuition and fees rate.

State Specific Note

Illinois

Some courses in the Master of Education in Teaching English Learners are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an English as a Second Language endorsement. A list of courses recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an endorsement in English as a Second Language can be found in English as a Second Language Endorsement.
Some courses in the Master of Education in Teaching English Learners are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for a Bilingual Education endorsement. A list of courses recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as meeting the coursework requirements for an endorsement in Bilingual Education can be found in Bilingual Education Endorsement.

Professional Licensure, Certification, or Endorsement

Courses embedded within the M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners are approved by the Indiana Department of Education and meets requirements for the addition of the English Learners content area to one’s existing Indiana teaching license. The addition of English learners’ content to one’s existing Indiana teaching license requires coursework and testing. Indiana allows the addition of certain content areas to one’s existing Indiana license by taking and passing a Praxis content test.
The M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as leading to the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 endorsement. The completion of an internship is a OH (TESOL) K-12 endorsement requirement. A separate internship course, EBL5101, will be offered following completion of all coursework for students requiring an internship for OH TESOL endorsement.
Prospective students are strongly advised to verify the benefit(s) for which they may be eligible upon completion with their state’s licensure agency prior to enrolling in an American College of Education degree or certificate program.