Department of Teaching, Learning & Professional Development
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in ESOL
Dr. Peter G. Parker
Assistant Professor, Teaching, Learning and Professional Development
301-860-3247
pparker@bowiestate.edu
James Proctor Jr. Building, room 233D
Advance Your Career With a Certificate in ESOL
The ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program is a set of five graduate courses designed to (a) strengthen the expertise of educational professionals in the teaching of ESOL and (b) prepare teachers for taking the ESOL Praxis test, which will lead to ESOL endorsement in the State of Maryland. The 15-credit program explores different approaches to second language teaching in relation to theories of language learning, teacher and learner roles, and classroom techniques. More specifically, teachers examine effective strategies, appropriate materials, and useful resources to support instruction in multilingual and mainstream classroom settin
Why a Certificate in ESOL at Bowie State?
This program will be of particular interest to K-12 teachers who would like to add an ESOL endorsement to their teaching license, as well as to educators wishing to develop skills in working with multilingual learners. Courses are taught online in the evenings via Zoom sessions. This format provides opportunities for weekly interactive classes to discuss, practice, and analyze specific techniques and approaches in ESOL.
Completion of the ESOL Certificate Program requires fifteen semester hours of credit. The following 3-credit courses are offered through an online format with weekly Zoom class sessions that meet in the evenings:
- ESOL 504 – Linguistics for Teachers
- ESOL 512 – Theoretical Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
- ESOL 523 – Teaching in Multicultural Classrooms
- ESOL 641 – Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
- ESOL 658 – Principles of Language Testing
Fall - 6 credits
- ESOL 504 - Linguistics for Teachers
- ESOL 512 -Theoretical Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
Spring - 6 credits
- ESOL 523 - Teaching in Multicultural Classrooms
NOTE: ESOL 523 may be substituted with RLIT 653: Diversity and Literacy Instruction - ESOL 641 - Methods & Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
Summer - 3 credits
- ESOL 658 - Principles of Language Testing
- ESOL Praxis Test Practice Workshop
Fall, 1st year - 3 credits
- ESOL 512 - Theoretical Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
Spring, 1st year - 3 credits
- ESOL 523 - Teaching in Multicultural Classrooms
NOTE: ESOL 523 may be substituted with RLIT 653: Diversity and Literacy Instruction
Summer, 2nd year - 3 credits
- ESOL 658 - Principles of Language Testing
Fall, 2nd year - 3 credits
- ESOL 504 - Linguistics for Teachers
Spring, 2nd year - 3 credits
- ESOL 641 - Methods & Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
- ESOL Praxis Test Practice Workshop
Following completion of the program, a workshop will be provided to support candidates in taking the ESOL Praxis test. Candidates seeking ESOL endorsement in the State of Maryland must hold a valid teaching license.
Build Your Career Skills
Shifting student populations require educators to adapt and accommodate to the needs of their students.
In light of increasing English learner enrollment numbers across Maryland and the country, the demand for trained ESOL educators continues to grow.
Helping multilingual learners meet career and college readiness goals requires knowledgeable and talented teachers trained in the most effective practices and pedagogies. The ESOL Certificate Program prepares teachers to meet these challenges.
Career Outlook
The ESOL graduate certificate prepares licensed educators to work effectively with English learners in K-12 classrooms. Graduates may pursue roles as ESOL or English as a Foreign Language instructors, language specialists, curriculum consultants or intervention specialists. The program also prepares teachers to take the ESOL Praxis exam, which can lead to ESOL endorsement in Maryland.
Online Advantages
The ESOL Certificate Program is designed to accommodate the schedules of teachers by offering evening courses in an online format. All classes are taught synchronously via weekly Zoom sessions. This format provides weekly interactive in-person classes while at the same time reducing or eliminating travel time between workplace and the campus.
