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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The University of Cincinnati offers online opportunities for the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Graduate Certificate/Endorsement in response to the growing population of English language learners in U.S. classrooms and the academic demand at national and international levels.  The Graduate Certificate/Endorsement in PreK-12 TESOL is aligned with the TESOL International Association’s standards and the State of Ohio’s TESOL standards.  In-service teachers who have a standard, current Ohio teaching license and teach within the State of Ohio are recommended to get the Graduate Certificate and Endorsement upon successful completion of the program.  Pre-service teachers in Ohio and those outside of the state are recommended to get the Graduate Certificate.  Any pre-service and/or in-service teacher who wishes to teach English language learners can enroll in this graduate non-degree, professional development program.  

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The following are requirements for admission:

1. The applicant must possess a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. The applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the undergraduate level leading to the Bachelor Degree. The applicant who possesses a master’s degree prior to admission must have a graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 in any graduate level work undertaken before admission. All calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
3. In rare instances, candidates who graduated from a non-accredited college or university or who do not meet the minimum grade point averages requirement for admission may be admitted based upon an evaluation of evidence submitted by the candidate. As a minimum, the evidence must address mastery of the knowledge prerequisite to the courses required by the program, acceptable writing skills, the ability to engage in critical thinking, and a personal commitment to completing the program. The evidence, very often including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, must convincingly demonstrate the candidate's potential for success in graduate level work.
4. Admission decisions may not be made on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation or disability. 
5. Candidates who are not accepted for admission may reapply once they have addressed the weaknesses identified during their initial application review. During that period, such applicants may be encouraged by the program to enroll in appropriate course work to develop the knowledge, skills, and values deemed necessary for admission into the program, or to demonstrate that the applicant already possesses such qualifications. Whether such course work may apply to the degree program is left to the discretion of the program. Applicants may also be encouraged to take or re-take the GRE. Completion of recommended course work or the GRE does not guarantee admission into the program.
6. Advanced standing for a limited amount of course work taken prior to admittance to the program is possible. Course work completed 5 or more years prior to admission will not be applied to the requirements. To maintain active status in the program, students must register for at least 1 semester credit every academic year. 

The application is not complete, and cannot be reviewed, until the School of Education has received all of the following:

1. A cover letter clearly stating to which degree and program strand (i.e., Literacy or Teaching English as a Second Language) the application is being made.
2. A statement of the applicant's academic and professional goals, approximately two pages long. This writing sample will be used as one of the criteria for evaluating the application. The applicant should explain specifically what areas s/he would like to study so that an appropriate advisor may be assigned to the applicant if admitted into the program.
3. A resume relevant to academic and professional data. It should include the applicant's name; address; phone; email; colleges attended with degrees, dates conferred, and grade point average; employment history; professional experience; present employer; and names of references.
4. Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.  If possible, at least one letter should be from a faculty member in higher education. Those writing letters should explain who they are, their relationship to the applicant, and what they know of the applicant’s academic and professional abilities. The applicant should be prepared to provide the recommenders e-mail addresses in the electronic application. Since recommenders are not prompted to submit their letters until the electronic application has been submitted, and application fee paid, it is wise to encourage recommenders to prepare their letters in advance so that they can upload them immediately upon receipt of the prompt.
5. Official transcripts showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of degrees. Applicants whose previous degrees were earned at the University of Cincinnati may substitute "on-campus" transcripts. 

International Admission Requirements

International student applicants are required to provide specific information about their transcripts or degree programs to facilitate the applicant review process, including transcript translation and evaluation by a recognized translation/evaluation agency. For a list of translation/evaluation agencies accepted by the University of Cincinnati, please contact the International Students Services office: www.isso.uc.edu; 513-556-4278

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. The following minimum scores must be obtained:

·        Internet-Based Test (iBT): 79-80  OR

·        Paper-Based Test (PBT):  550 AND a minimum score on the Test of Written English (TWE) of 5 AND a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)

The TOEFL must have been taken within the two-year period preceding admission.  The University of Cincinnati maintains an International Student Services Office (ISSO), which serves international students attending the University.  For questions regarding international student information, contact the International Student Services Office at (513) 556-4278, www.isso.uc.edu

Application Information

Program Code

18GC-TESOL

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester - July 15       

Spring Semester – December 1

Summer Semester – April 1

Program Details

Program Requirements

Duration

1 year

Program Details

The University of Cincinnati provides an exemplary educational, research, and teaching program addressing issues of access, social equality, and diversity. The program’s work is conducted in partnership with other programs and centers at our University and in our community, in a way that is relevant to regional, national, and global concerns. Our mission is to educate individuals to assume leadership roles in literacy and language acquisition settings within local, regional, and national arenas, while serving the needs of our multiple clients from the immediate urban area. We strive to create professional and scholarly opportunities for students to become theoretically informed and practically equipped, caring, committed, and competent educators and scholars. Our program aligns its mission and its work with those of UC 2019, and the national professional organizations: the International Reading Association and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.  

The Preschool to Grade 12 (PreK-12) certificate/endorsement program is geared toward individuals who are licensed in single or multiple subject areas and are interested in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). The program is designed to meet the national TESOL standards. The aim of the program is to prepare theoretically informed and practically equipped, caring, committed, and competent ESL teachers, curriculum developers and consultants, as well as program administrators for domestic public and private schools. 

Graduation Requirements

Students may graduate at the end of any semester provided they meet the necessary degree requirements and all Department and University deadlines. Students should confer closely with their advisors regarding graduation as they approach the completion of their degree requirements. The initial step in the graduation process consists of a formal application for graduation. This must be done by the announced deadline (usually during the semester prior to the semester of anticipated graduation) and is completed online at https://grad.uc.edu/student-life/graduation.html. 

A complete list of important deadlines and responsibilities that must be met prior to graduation, as well as further instructions and guidelines for completing the application for graduation can be found at https://grad.uc.edu/student-life/graduation.html.

The student must be registered for at least one graduate credit in their program in an academic year, after having met minimum degree/candidacy requirements to be considered a graduate student throughout the academic year. Further, students must be registered for at least one graduate credit during the academic year in which they will graduate.

Before graduation for all students, submission of Notification of Removal of all NG, N, I, UP, SP, and F grades must be sent as well as posting of all satisfactory grades for the graduation semester.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

NCATE and CAEP

Student Success Factors

Experience in working with diverse populations of PreK -12 English Language Learners in school and community settings. Teaching of English language to native speakers of other languages.

 

Career Possibilities

Teach and tutor English Language Learners in Prek-12 school settings and community outreach programs. Teach English language (reading and writing) to school-aged learners of non-English speaking populations. Teach children in both formal and informal educational settings.

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Curriculum Guide Versions:

Curriculum Guide by Requirement

Predominant Program

Coursework
• LSLS6061, Theories of Second Language Acquisition, , 3
• LSLS6062, TESL Teaching Methods and Strategies, , 3
• LSLS6064, Evaluation and Assessment for TESL, , 3
• LSLS6065, Sociolinguistics for TESL, , 3
• LSLS6063, Applied Linguistics for TESL, , 3
• LSLS6066, Practicum for TESL, , 3

Contact

Dr. Hye Pae, Assistant Professor

Email: hye.pae@uc.edu
Phone: 513-556-2898

Teachers College ? Office 615 R
PO Box 210022
Cincinnati,OH  45221-0022