English as a Second Language Program
Although English learners continue to be the fasting growing segment of the school-aged population, there is a critical shortage of teachers prepared to meet their needs. Accredited by the Michigan Department of Education, CMU's English as a Second Language (ESL) Minor and ESL Second Degree are highly-marketable degrees that prepare you to attain either an elementary or secondary ESL endorsement.
The ESL endorsement program can be completed via two options:
- The ESL Minor for students currently working on a B.S. in education.
- The ESL Second Degree for persons who already have a B.S. in education (usually in-service teachers).
To attain a State of Michigan ESL teaching endorsement, candidates must also pass the English as a Second Language (086) Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).
Program overviews
English as a Second Language Minor
To receive an English as a Second Language Minor, B.S. in Ed., Standard Elementary or Secondary Certificate, you must complete a program of 24 credit hours and have a minimum GPA of 2.7.
In addition to required courses, this program requires two semesters (or the equivalent) of college-level experience in learning a foreign language.
Second degree
Are you interested in adding an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement to your teaching certification? We offer a 24-credit second degree in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Required Courses I:
ENG 175: The Nature of Language
ENG 375: Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 571: Methods in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
ENG 574: TESOL Materials, Assessment, Curriculum
ENG 575: English Learner Standards and Assessments: K-12
ENG 577: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
ENG 578: Applied Sociolinguistics
Required Courses II (select one of the following):
ENG 271: Modern Grammar
ENG 371: Teaching Grammar: K-6
ENG 372: Teaching Grammar: 5-12
In addition to required courses, this program requires two semesters (or the equivalent) of college-level experience in learning a foreign language.
Contact
To learn more about the English as a Second Language minor or the Second Degree in ESL, please contact:
Dr. April Burke, Program Director
Phone: 989-774-2660
Email Dr. Burke
Council members
- Dr. Dawn Decker, Counseling and Special Education | Email Dr. Decker
- Dr. Amy Ford, English Language and Literature | Email Dr. Ford
- Dr. Alejandra Rengifo, World Languages and Cultures | Email Dr. Rengifo
- Dr. Tierney Popp, Human Development and Family Studies | Email Dr. Popp
- Dr. Kimberly Davidson, Human Development and Family Studies | Email Dr. Davidson
- Madison Veneklase, English Language Teacher K-12, District EL Coordinator, Cedar Springs Public Schools
- Aidan Koelzer, ESL Minor Student