English as a Second Language
Renee Kenney, Program Coordinator
133-F Patterson Hall
program web page
Degrees
Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Undergraduate Program
The Teaching of English as a Second Language program (TESL) is offered as a minor, a certificate, and a B.A. degree in cooperation with the Department of English & Philosophy as well as the programs of Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. This program works closely with Spokane area English language programs through academic service learning to provide opportunities to put theory into practice in purposeful ways. Completion of ENGL 360 before beginning the courses in English as a Second Language (ESLG) program is recommended but not required.
The English as a Second Language program is designed for teacher preparation for employment in the U.S. (English as a Second Language) and overseas (English as a Foreign Language). Those seeking employment in U.S. K–12 contexts can complete a minor which they will apply as a minor endorsement to a Washington state teaching certificate. Those seeking to teach overseas can complete a minor, a TESOL Certificate, or a major (which combines a TESOL Certificate and a language minor). Students are prepared through the examination of fundamentals of educational linguistics, second language acquisition and literacy, and culture. An understanding of methods and assessment is built upon this theoretical basis. Three practicum experiences, which build upon each other, enable students to put theory into practice. This program may be taken as a sequence through an academic year or may be taken over multiple years.
English as a Second Language Courses
ESLG 395. FIELD WORK/INTERNSHIPS. 1-15 Credits.
ESLG 396. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
ESLG 399. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-15 Credits.
ESLG 470. JOINING THE TESOL PROFESSION. 1 Credit.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course introduces the TESOL profession to students including overseas contexts of employment, and professional resources and values. Students develop a curriculum vita, a professional development plan and gather resources for the realities of teaching overseas.
ESLG 471. TEACHING ENGLISH ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course prepares students to teach English Language Learners in U.S. P-12 classrooms with the theory, tools and strategies needed to plan and implement effective instruction that takes into account the language of the discipline area. Students will focus on two areas (Language Arts, Social Studies, Sciences, and Math) exploring with educational linguistics.
ESLG 472. TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course provides students who teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP) with the theory, tools and strategies needed to plan and implement effective instruction that takes into account the language of a workplace. Students will learn the pedagogy of teaching ESP while exploring the language needed for such contexts as Tour Guiding and Hotel Employment.
ESLG 480. SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 360 or permission of instructor.
This course briefly reviews the various linguistic systems and their importance in language learning. Acquisition theories are introduced. The developmental process of interlanguage and the factors that impact effective language learning are covered. This course includes practical understanding of how SLA theories relate to instructional choices.
ESLG 481. METHODS AND MATERIALS IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: ESLG 480 or permission of the instructor.
This course provides an overview of the current major concepts shaping the choice of language teaching methods. This course covers the following elements: teaching language within content areas such as math, science and social studies; developing individual language skills as well as integrating them; and, choosing, developing and using materials effectively to support the language learning process.
ESLG 486. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PRACTICUM. 1-3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor required.
This course provides practical experiences with the instruction of English language learners. Students will first take the course for 1 credit, repeat the course for 2 credits and then repeat it for 3 credits with 10, 20 and 30 hours of field placement respectively.
ESLG 488. SECOND LANGUAGE PRINT LITERACY THEORIES. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: ESLG 480 and ESLG 481.
This course examines current and seminal research that provides insight into the factors affecting the development of literacy by second language learners. Topics covered include prior literacy backgrounds, home-school connections, orthographies, and vocabulary development.
ESLG 489. CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN THE CLASSROOM. 4 Credits.
This course provides an introduction to the various cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the region. It covers the impact of background cultures on the interactions that occur and expectations that exist in school environments. It also provides an understanding of the role of culture in developing theories about what it means 'to read'.
ESLG 490. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CAPSTONE. 5 Credits.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Satisfies: senior capstone university graduation requirement.
In this capstone course, students will explore the most significant understandings and practices of effective elementary teachers of English Language Learners (ELLs). Practical experiences with ELLs and reflection on assumptions will supplement discussions and readings culminating in a project incorporating culture and language.
ESLG 492. SECOND LANGUAGE LITERACY PLACEMENT AND ASSESSMENT. 3 Credits.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course provides a foundation of concepts integral to considering the assessment of language learners including cultural validity and developing proficiency. Students will apply the concepts as they analyze, evaluate, compare and create language assessments.
ESLG 496. EXPERIMENTAL. 1-5 Credits.
ESLG 497. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
ESLG 498. SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.
ESLG 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-10 Credits.
ESLG 598. SEMINAR. 5 Credits.