More states are requiring bilingual and/or ESL approval to teach in their multilingual, multicultural classrooms. Erikson’s online bilingual/ESL graduate certificate program prepares you to meet these challenges.
- One of the few programs in the nation focused on preschool to third grade.
- Suits a variety of teaching backgrounds — preschools, early child care programs, or public school classrooms.
- It’s all online, so you can achieve your goals on your own schedule.
Gainful Employment Disclosures
This program is designated as a Gainful Employment program for the purposes of federal student financial aid eligibility. Gainful Employment details
Bilingual approval
Bilingual approval typically allows an early childhood teacher to instruct young children in their native language and English. Erikson’s certificate program is designed to enable bilingual, certified early childhood teachers to acquire bilingual approval and continue to work or seek employment in a bilingual early childhood education program. As each state has its own requirements for bilingual approval, you should contact the board of education in the state where you plan to teach for its requirements.
English as a second language (ESL) approval
ESL approval typically prepares monolingual early childhood teachers (i.e., English language speaking only) to effectively instruct new language learners in English. Erikson’s certificate program is designed to enable certified early childhood teachers to acquire ESL approval and continue to work or seek employment in an early childhood ESL program. As each state has its own requirements for ESL approval, you should contact the board of education in the state where you plan to teach for its requirements.
Requirements
To earn this certificate, you will complete 18 credit hours of course work, including a yearlong reflective practice seminar.
You’ll work from the latest theoretical frameworks, research findings, and methodologies to explore how young children learn language, the role of culture and family in supporting learning, and how teachers can contribute to the academic achievement of students whose first language is not English.
Program director: Luisiana Meléndez, Ph.D.
Course Work
Sample course schedule
[PDF, 1pg]
Core Courses:
- B402 – Language Development in New Language Learners
- B404 – Assessment of New Language Learners
- B405 – Emergent Literacy with New Language Learners
- B406 – Methods and Materials for Teaching New Language Learners I
- B407 – Methods and Materials for Teaching New Language Learners II: Reflective Practice
- C432 – Family and Culture
- T408 – Foundations of American Schooling and Bilingual Education
