UT Martin will provide online summer courses to help teachers become English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors.
The College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences graduate school is offering three Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) courses beginning Monday, June 3. Each class is a three-hour course and will be taught over five weeks:
• Principles of Teaching ESL (TESL 700) will be taught from June 3 through July 5. Instruction includes an overview on issues in the classroom with English learners, communication skills and English language fluency development.
• Strategies for Teaching ESL (TESL 710) will be taught from July 9 through Aug. 9. Instruction includes classroom practices for effective multilingual learner instruction, writing as a learning tool and theme studies as meaningful learning context.
• Multicultural Education (EDFN 720) will be taught from June 3 through July 5. Instruction includes the roots of cultural diversity in the U.S. and perspectives on reaching all learners.
Those taking part in these courses who have already enrolled in the College of Education, Health and Behavioral Sciences graduate school may sign up or call the CEHBS Graduate Program at 731-881-7012 for more information.
Those who have not been in the graduate school should apply for the courses at www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/apply.
After completion of the nine hours, the student will need to pass the ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Praxis to obtain the State of Tennessee ESL Endorsement.
Dr, Harriette L. Spiegel, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies and the coordinator of the ESL Endorsement Program, said those taking the course can be certified before the next school year begins in August.
“Usually, what I’ve found is within a week or two (of completing the courses), they get the date they want for their Praxis,” she said. “They have to have credit for the nine hours of graduate work. The paperwork is sent to the state, and (the course participants) get the ESL endorsement.
“I’ve had people say they were told that if they had the ESL endorsement, they would have a job waiting for them. We have lots and lots of English learners coming in all the time.”
All three courses are taught online through UTM Canvas, and textbooks are available at the UTM Bookstore in the Boling University Center. For questions about course content, contact Spiegel by email at hspiegel@utm.edu or by phone at 731-881-7198 or 865-898-5202.
