Program Description

The English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement Certificate provides the knowledge and skills to create environments and learning experiences that will prepare you to teach English to speakers of other languages in grades B-12. The courses in the program focus on understanding the dynamics of culture, language acquisition theories, and methods and teaching strategies in reading and writing. This certificate is a three-course sequence (9 credit hours fully online) with embedded field experiences with English learners. It is housed in the Inclusive Education Department in the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University. The ESOL Endorsement Certificate requires at least a two- semester commitment. Candidates may enroll in one or two courses during a semester but must be prepared to devote time to teaching in an approved ESOL classroom during the methods and materials course.

This certificate is for those who are certified educators in Georgia who wish to add the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)-approved ESOL Endorsement to their certifications. Candidates in this track are eligible to add the Endorsement to their GaPSC Teaching Certificate when the three courses appear on the KSU transcript under the ESOL Endorsement Certificate.

Please Note: To add the Endorsement to your GaPSC Teaching Certificate, required coursework must be completed, the endorsement track declared, and certification steps provided by Bagwell Certification Office adhered to. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate the intersection between culture, language, and learning and how cultural identity affects learning by applying knowledge of culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy in planning and implementing lessons for B-12 English learner students.
2. Apply the central theories of first and second language acquisition/learning, as well as the individual, social, cultural, and political factors that affect this process in a classroom-based setting.
3. Use language proficiency assessments in Georgia and the WIDA English language development standards in lesson planning.
4. Design a lesson plan to teach standards-based content and language, implement strategies that scaffold and differentiate the lesson, and assess student learning effectively.  

This program is a part of the Leland and Clarice C. Bagwell College of Education .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office: 

• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. 
• A GPA of 2.75 from the most recent degree awarded. 
• Clear Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate. 

Enollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment requirements.

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements