Course Information and Requirements
All candidates seeking an ESL or Bilingual Endorsement must provide proof of either three (3) months of full-time teaching OR 100 clinical clock hours of experience in a setting: with Limited English Proficient (LEPs) students for the ESL endorsement and (specifically) TBE Bilingual (program) students for the Bilingual Endorsement.
Appropriate Target Language Proficiency or English Language Proficiency test (as applicable) will be required for candidates pursuing the Bilingual Education endorsement.
For current information regarding Illinois State Board of Education requirements for licensure and endorsements (including tests when applicable), please visit ISBE.
Course Titles and Descriptions
EEND 631 THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BILINGUAL AND ESL (4)
Presents for the participants historical trends related to English language development and examines research and theories of first and second language acquisition. The rational for English language acquisition programs and an introduction to instructional approaches to facilitate language development are also presented.
EEND 632 METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING ESL (4)
Provides for the participants the competencies needed by all teachers of limited English proficient and English language development learners. This course presents strategies, techniques and skills in teaching Pre-K—12 academic subjects, including techniques to improve ESL learners’ reading comprehension, speaking and writing skills. The theoretical bases underlying instructional strategies and techniques are presented, along with advantages of each instructional approach.
EEND 633 ASSESSMENT OF BILINGUAL AND ESL STUDENTS (3)
Analyzes for the participants the implications of second language acquisition theory on testing, explores the relationship between bilingualism and cognition, and presents an overview of procedures for the identification and assessment of limited English and English language development students. An overview of assessment instruments and ESL educational program placement options will also be presented.
EEND 634 CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES FOR TEACHING LIMITED-ENGLISH-PROFICIENT STUDENTS (3)
Focuses on cultural factors for the participants that influence teaching and learning. This course also provides intensive consideration of cultural and linguistic diversity, its impact on instruction, and strategies for effective instruction in the multicultural and linguistically diverse classroom.
EEND 636 LINGUISTICS (4)
Focuses on the properties for the participants that all languages have in common and the way languages differ. As an introduction to the science of language, this course surveys the main branches of linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and sociolinguistics, as they apply to language learning and teaching. However, no background in linguistics or any foreign language study is required or assumed in the course.
The following course is required for candidates pursuing an additional endorsement in Bilingual Education.
EEND 637 METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING BILINGUAL STUDENTS (3)
Focuses on the strategies appropriate for teaching bilingual students in a bilingual program of instruction. Language development of the bilingual students is explored through instructional theories, methods, and approaches to promote bilingual learning and language. Special consideration will be given to integration of literacy in content areas, assessment of bilingual students, and effective parental involvement in bi-literacy development.
Bilingual Education Endorsement - Schedule and Registration
Bilingual Education Endorsement Schedule
EEND 633 ASSESSMENT OF BILINGUAL AND ESL STUDENTS (3)
Spring 2024: January 8 - March 1 | online course
EEND 634 CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES FOR TEACHING LIMITED-ENGLISH-PROFICIENT STUDENTS (3)
Spring 2024: March 4 - April 29 | online course
EEND 637 METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING BILINGUAL STUDENTS (3)
Summer 2024: June 3 - July 29 | online course
EEND 638 SUPPORTING MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS IN THE INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM (1)
Summer 2024: This is a one hour class running 3-weeks (6/3 - 6/24) | online course
*If you are looking for additional courses that are not available for registration, please contact USF at 815-740-2626 for assistance.
ESL Endorsement - Schedule and Registration