Program Overview:
Thank you for your interest in the CSRA RESA ESOL Endorsement Program! The purpose of this program is to prepare participants who can function as classroom-ESOL teachers in member systems and agencies. Goals for candidates completing the ESOL Endorsement Program are a) to learn to identify prospective English students; b) to develop expertise in planning and implementing differentiated instruction to support the needs of identified students; c) to develop expertise in varied assessment tools, and d) to develop expertise with differentiated curriculum to support the needs of English Learners. It is necessary for the teacher to have a significant theoretical foundation that will allow him or her to make critical decisions in relation to classroom study. To be a reflective decision-maker, a teacher must suspend conclusions until one reflects inward, toward one’s knowledge and experience as well as the outward situation.
Program Handbook (includes program assignments, responsibilities, and policies)
Please Note: All rights and ownership of materials or products, tangible or intangible, of this endorsement program are the property of CSRA RESA and may not be used or reproduced without written approval from our agency.
Eligibility:
1. Eligibility Requirements:
(a) To be eligible for the professional English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement, the applicant must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate in any teaching, service or leadership field or a permit certificate in a foreign language field and complete other requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.14 ENDORSEMENTS.
(b) To be eligible for the Supplemental Induction English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement, the applicant must hold a level four (4) or higher Induction certificate in any teaching, service or leadership field and complete other requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2- .14 ENDORSEMENTS.
2. Currently employed by a Georgia school system
3. Recommendation from a building-level and district administrator
Endorsement Details:
When:
Cost:
Member: $1200 per person
Non-Member: $1400 per person
Courses:
The ESOL Endorsement is comprised of three 50-hour courses that must be completed in the following sequence:
Course 1: Understanding Language and Culture Syllabus – 50 Hours: Understanding Language and Culture provides an overview of the role of culture in teaching and learning of linguistically diverse students. In this course, participants will examine major concepts, principles, theories, and research on culturally responsive learning environments and strategies for English language learners.
Course 2: Language Acquisition and Development – 50 Hours: Language Acquisition and Development provides an overview on the importance of knowing and understanding background knowledge of linguistics, language subsystems, characteristics of language, stages of language, theories of language, and oral language development. In this course, participants will utilize the newly acquired knowledge on language acquisition and development to plan and deliver language assessments for English language learners that reflect their knowledge in various content.
Course 3: Strategies for Teaching Content & Language to English Learners – 50 Hours: Strategies for Teaching Content and Language to English Learners provides the opportunity for candidates to research and understand educational policy, to explore the connection between state standards and WIDA standards, and to compare and contrast both classical and modern ESL methods. In this course, participants will implement best practices and highly effective strategies in their own classrooms, along with presenting thorough lesson plans for linguistically diverse students. The lesson planning component will also include lessons and strategies that are necessary for gifted ELS. The main component will center on the lessons connecting standards and assessments presented in lessons that represent the knowledge base of the students.
Program Textbooks:
Books and materials are included in regional cohorts. School Systems hosting in-district cohorts will be responsible for purchasing books and materials.
Fenner, D. S., Snyder, S., & Gregoire-Smith, M. (2024). Unlocking English learners' potential: strategies for making content accessible (2nd ed.). Corwin.
Oliveira, L., (2023), Supporting multilingual learners’ academic language development a language-based approach to content instruction. Routledge.
WIDA. (2020). WIDA English language development standards framework, 2020 edition: Kindergarten–grade 12. Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (free resource; link provided)