Teaching English Learners

Minor

English learners are the fastest-growing segment of the school-aged population, and ESL certified teachers are in great demand throughout Michigan and the United States. This program prepares you to:

• Support and teach diverse student populations with varying levels of English language proficiency.
• Create and provide culturally-relevant, developmentally-appropriate, and standards-based curriculum and instruction to multilingual learners.
• Administer and score the most widely used English language proficiency test: the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs.
• In addition to required courses, this program requires two semesters (or the equivalent) of college-level experience in learning a foreign language.
• To attain a State of Michigan ESL (NS) teaching endorsement, candidates must also pass the English as a Second Language (126) Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

As a student in this program, you will gain expertise to serve English learners, the fastest growing segment of the school-aged population.

• This program can be completed within one year, either fully online or through a combination of online and in-person courses. In-person clinical hours are required.
• Gain valuable classroom experience in the Dearborn Public Schools if you are an undergraduate student or in your own school district if you are currently a teacher.
• Consider student teaching opportunities through global experiences.
• Become certified to administer and score the most widely used English language proficiency test: the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs.
• CMU's Educator Preparation Programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Michigan Department of Education.

ESL Program Council

The purpose of the Council is to oversee the Teaching English Learners program and ensure that it is meeting its objectives of preparing candidates with the skills to support students learning English as an additional language. Our program, complemented by essential university courses, provides a well-rounded experience encompassing theoretical, pedagogical, and subject matter knowledge and hands-on clinical experiences. Members are committed to advocating for educational equity and excellence for linguistically and culturally diverse learners which includes fostering climates that welcome, honor, and respect diversity, multilingualism, multiliteracy, and students’ cultural contributions in a global society.

Council members

• Dr. April Burke, Director, Teaching English Learners Program | Email Dr. Burke
• Dr. Dawn Decker, Counseling and Special Education | Email Dr. Decker
• Dr. Alejandra Rengifo, World Languages and Cultures | Email Dr. Rengifo
• Dr. Tierney Popp, Human Development and Family Studies | Email Dr. Popp
• Hannah Benke, TEL Minor Student
• Josephine Sepanski, In-Service ESL Certified Teacher