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2023-24 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | School of Education and Social Work | Teacher Education | Majors

English to Speakers of Other Languages, B.S.

[English to Speakers of Other Languages, B.S. - 1508]

This undergraduate major will lead to initial certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL, all grades). Students will have the option of completing coursework leading to dual certification in ESOL (all grades) and Childhood Education (grades 1-6).

Students in this major will learn about the rapidly increasing number of English language learners in today's schools, second language acquisition, and evidence-based strategies for planning, implementing, and assessing English language and content-area instruction. They will be prepared to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages in all grades, Pre-K - grade 12, in a variety of classroom settings with the goal of continuing the development of students' first language and culture while providing them with tools to be successful in English-dominant learning and working environments. Students pursuing dual certification will take additional coursework, including additional fieldwork, in elementary curriculum and methods to prepare them to teach in a traditional elementary classroom.

Admission Criteria:

  • Completed application
  • Demonstrated academic competence at RWU
    • Successful completion of two courses in the Department of Teacher Education
    • A minimum overall GPA of 2.7
    • A “C+” or better in TEDU 1850 and TEDU 1950
    • A “B-“ or better in all required 2000 and above education courses
  • Demonstrated proficiency in writing
    • “C” or better in Principles of Writing
    • “C” or better in Principles of Speech
    • Successful completion of a “writing sample” as part of the application process.
  • Resume
  • Acknowledgment and commitment to professional standards

Once admitted, students must maintain the overall minimum GPA (2.7) and earn the minimum grade required for each course (B- in TEDU courses, usually a C in all major courses) in order to progress through the program. They must also meet the behavioral expectations described in the Professional Dispositions and meet the Technical Standards in order to progress through the program and be allowed to student teach.


SPECIFICS OF THE ESOL, B.S. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 124-127

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required: 62

General Education Requirements: Per Core Curriculum Requirements List (see General Education Council). Exceptions: only one fine arts course is required; PSYC 2030 must be taken to meet the behavioral science requirement; 6 hours of math and 7 hours of science are required to meet the lab science and mathematics requirements.

Minimum Requirements: Overall and major GPA of 2.7; no grade less than C in the concentration; no grade less than C+ in all 1000 level education courses; no grade less than B- in 2000, 3000, and 4000 level education courses; minimum grade of C in COMM 1150 and COMP 1010, and the required mathematics and science courses.

Major Requirements: 70 hours as follows:

  • TEDU 1850 Education in a Changing World (3);
  • TEDU 1950 Foundations of Special Education (3);
  • TEDU 2350 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment I (3);
  • TEDU 2550 Foundations of Language & Literacy (3);
  • TEDU 3580 Language & Literacy for English Language Learners 1 (PreK-Gr. 6) (3);
  • TEDU 3590 Language & Literacy for English Language Learners II (Gr. 7-12) (3);
  • TEDU 3600 Creating Inclusive Learning Communities (3);
  • TEDU 3820 Methods of Instruction & Assessment for English Language Learners (3);
  • TEDU 3940 Culturally Responsive Teaching (3);
  • TEDU 4060* & 4061* ESOL Student Teaching (6+6);
  • TEDU 4460* ESOL Student Teaching Seminar (2);
  • Completion of Content Core in Language & Cultural Diversity (30-hour minimum)

Students who wish to pursue additional, optional certification in Childhood Education (Gr.1-6) must also take:

  • TEDU 3730 Elementary Curriculum & Methods (Gr. 1-3) (3);
  • TEDU 3740 Elementary Curriculum & Methods (Gr. 4-6) (3)

Field Experience Requirement | Students must complete 150 hours of fieldwork - When advised by their advisor, students will engage in field blocks 1, 2, and/or 3 (50 hours each) throughout the program to accompany coursework.

Student Teaching Practicum | 14 Weeks

*Additional requirements must be met for these courses. Please see the Fieldwork Handbook for more information.

Contact the Department of Teacher Education for a comprehensive list of requirements for the degree and concentration of your choice.


In order to obtain New York State certification, the following requirements must be met:

  • EAS | Educating All Students Exam
  • CST | Content Specialty Test in Appropriate Content Area
  • CST | Students with Disabilities
  • TPA | Teacher Portfolio Assessment
  • SAVE | Mandatory Workshop
  • Child Abuse | Mandatory Workshop
  • DASA - Dignity for All Students | Mandatory Workshop
  • Autism Training | Mandatory Workshop
  • Fingerprinting clearance

Upon successful completion of all academic requirements and completion of all required workshops, the student will be recommended to New York State by RWU. A student who has not completed the required workshops will not be recommended to New York State until successful completion of the required workshops. Six months after the student's conferral date, if a student has not completed all the successful workshops, the student must apply for certification himself or herself through individual evaluation. RWU will not recommend the student for certification.


Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies.